Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Farewell to Floyd's Record Shop

Sad to learn that Floyd's Record Shop in Ville Platte, Louisiana, is closing its doors. I've been there a few times and have enjoyed going through the records on display, and having a Cajun meal at the Pig Stand nearby.
Floyd Soileau is one of the great American record producers, having made hundreds of Cajun and Swamp Pop classics over the years, issuing them on his Swallow, Jin and Maison De Soul labels and also running a record pressing plant. His record store opened in 1956 and its closure is sadly a sign of the times.
My photo shows some of the South Louisiana records that came out on Floyd's labels, plus a couple of highly collectable LPs on other Louisiana labels. Details below.
Top row: Rod Bernard - Night Lights and Love Songs. Recorded in 1975 and released on Jin 9010.
Clint West And The Boogie Kings. Also features G G Shinn and Johnny Giordano. Released on Jin 4003.
The Best Of The Cajun Hits. Cajun hits by Aldus Roger, Austin Pitre and Vin Bruce among others. Released on Swallow 6001.
Rockin' Date With South Louisiana Stars. Tracks by Rod Bernard, Clint West, Johnnie Allen and Rockin' Sidney among others. Released on Jin 4002.
Middle row: Aldus Roger Plays The Cajun French Classics. Roger with the Lafayette Playboys. Released on La Lousianne 122.
South Louisiana Juke Box Hits. Tracks by Tommy McLain, Charles Mann, Johnnie Allen and Lil Bob & the Lollipops, among others. Released on Jin 4006.
The Shondells At The Saturday Hop. Not Tommy James, this is a rare rock and roll LP by the Louisiana band of the mid sixties featuring Rod Bernard, Warren Storm and Skip Stewart. Released on La Louisianne 109.
The Boogie Kings Live At The Bamboo Hut. Live album at the club in Galveston released on Montel Michelle 111.
Bottom row: Cookie And The Cupcakes Vol 2. Released in 1978 on Jin 9018.
Rod Bernard - Country Lovin'. Recorded in 1974 and released on Jin 9008.
Rod Bernard - Rod Bernard. Original LP featuring Colinda and This Should Go On Forever released on Jin 4007.
Irma Thomas - Soul Queen Of New Orleans. Manfactured at Ville Platte and released on Maison De Soul 1005.

1 Comments:

At 10:48 pm , Anonymous David Cartwright said...

Shopped there on Friday, 21 December, and bought a dozen CDs and several dozen 45s. Final day of business for the store was that Saturday. Web site is of course still open.

 

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