"Bring Our Cajun Friend Back" 1983 Re-Election Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards
$
60
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Description
Up for sale is an exceptionally rare single (45 rpm, 7 inch vinyl) featuring - on one side - a Cajun waltz in support of the re-election bid of one of Louisiana's most controversial, and gifted, politicians, the then former Governor Edwin Edwards!
Artists: Alvie Tee Meyers (both sides) and Paul LeJeune (one side)
Producer: Paul LeJeune
Label: ATM Records [Note: Almost certainly, ATM stands for the initials of Alvie Tee Meyers.]
Release Year: 1983 (Not explicitly stated, but inferred from political lyrics.)
One Side (VRP-3046): Bring Our Cajun Friend Back (Alvie T Meyers); Flat Town Music (BMI); Time: 3:27
Wax matrix marks: "VRP-3046" (etched) and "438" (etched) and "DMI" (etched)
THIS SIDE IS SIGNED BY PRODUCER AND ARTIST PAUL LEJEUNE!
Other Side (VRP-3045): Dawn (Alvie T Meyers); Flat Town Music (BMI); Time: 3:23
Wax matrix marks: "VRP-3046" (etched) and "DMI" (etched)
Dawn is a nice country song, but the real star on this single is Bring Our Cajun Friend Back. "Our Cajun Friend" would be Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards, a populist Democrat who had left office in 1980, after having serving two terms (1972 - 1980). Edwards had been succeeded by Republican David Treen, who - in 1983 - was running for a second term in office. However, Treen's first term had coincided with a severe economic recession with high unemployment. Edwards' flamboyant and charismatic personality contrasted sharply with Treen's staid fixation on policy. During their debate, the Cajun former governor quipped: "Dave is so slow it takes him an hour and a half to watch 60 Minutes." Even though Edwards' first two terms had been marred by various scandals, his popularity was so great that, just before the 1983 election, he famously predicted: "The only way I can lose this election is if I'm caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy." Edwards won his third term easily, serving from 1984 - 1988, and would later be elected to yet a fourth term, serving from 1992 to 1996, before an ever-increasing burden of scandals caught up with him. Convicted on multiple counts of racketeering, money laundering, extortion, and mail fraud, Edwards spent about nine years in prison (2002 - 2011). [Interesting fact: David Treen, the loser of the 1983 gubernatorial election, would later endorse his old rival Edwin Edwards in his bid for a fourth term as governor, in large part because Edwards was facing (in a run-off election) David Duke, the former Grand Wizard of the KKKK.]
The song Bring Our Cajun Friend Back describes Edwards ("Edwin") as someone you might see in a limousine or paddling down a bayou. It claims that "things went astray when he went away" and that Edwards is now needed to "get our state back on track". Interestingly, in the middle of the song, there is a spoken word solo continuing this theme. (This voice may be Paul LeJeune, but I'm not certain.) The baritone voice states: "Dave's done his thing, but Edwin's still king." The speaker addresses Treen in a polite tone, stating: "I know you've done your very best. We're not trying to be hard or rude." However, he claims that (Louisianans) now need to waltz with our friend (Edwin), "because we're tired of swangin' with you".
I was unable to find out very much information about either Paul LeJeune or Alvie Tee Meyers.
See above for complete description of condition (which is pretty nice) and for photos. Sold as is.
Attention US Buyers: I will ship by USPS Media Mail or by USPS Ground Advantage, your choice. Please note that if you have a Military Mail address (e.g. APO), I must ask that you pick USPS Ground Advantage as it is my understanding that USPS Media Mail is not reliable to Military Mail addresses. Local pickup (in Metairie, Louisiana) is also available, at no charge.
Attention International Buyers: I am exclusively using e-Bay International Shipping. If you win this auction, I will ship it to an e-Bay facility in the United States. e-Bay will be responsible for sending it to your international address. Please familiarize yourself with e-Bay International Shipping before bidding. Thank you.price rating
