Octa Clark, Back o'Town Two Step
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- This is my grandfather, Octa Clark performing at the 1994 Festival Internationale de Louisiane, when he was honored with a living tribute to his contribution to Cajun Music. The unique thing about this is that two weeks before this performance he had a mild stroke which rendered his right hand (lead playing hand) useless and for the two weeks he used a rubber ball to rehabilitate himself to perform at this event..... and with that I would like to thank Becca Begnaud for being his friend and assisting in his recovery and I would like to also acknowledge and thank Steve Riley, David Greely and Peter Schwarz for performing with him on this video and most of all thank Beth Verret for recognizing the need to honor him on this day. Thank you all, you allowed him to do what he loved most in life..... Octa was 90 years old when this video was taken, he passed at the age of 94 on September 11, 1998... © 2010 All rights reserved by Glen Clark, Fieldspan Music, BMI
Hi Glen. I am certain I met you, when I lived in Lafayette and was close friends with your Aunt Lou's family. This brings back fond memories of time spent with your grandparents and other relatives at family gatherings. That was "pre-CDs", but Mr. Octa gave me an autographed copy of a cassette tape that included some of his iconic music. Hearing his music now makes me smile and warms my heart. Thank you for sharing.
This video is such a blessing! They’ll never be another like him!! RIP Mr. Octa
Wish I would have been there to witness this master do it. Class is in session !
This is one of the greatest Two-Step melodies I believe I've ever heard. What a legacy for you gdClark! The soul and passion your grandpa had is truly inspiring.
Wow! Thank you for posting this!!
Awesome music; love Octa Clark's music!
My all-time favorite accordion player. He is just the best.
This is so great!
Wonderful accordion player, Love this tune !!
Wunderful movie from your granddad.
His playing is so awesome and he's the one I like to sound as, when I'm playing the accordion. I keep on dreaming !!
I hope that your plans to make a documentary about Mr Octa Clark are still there.
Thank you so much.
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! It doesn't get any better than Mr. Octa. Bless you for posting this.
@benpmichel when I hear this song, it brings me back to his house and it seems like he is there doing what he loved to do and that is to play what was in his soul. He was one of a kind and just had a special way of expressing himself both in his thoughts and his music. I feel like I live everyday in the shadow of a legacy that is much like the soothing shade of a 100 year old live oak tree and the music is the gentle breeze that comforts me.
Thanks for making this public!
Wow, love all of the Octa Clark Material!!
Got turned on to Octa for my Birthday this year WOW by Kerry Drew accordion Cajun player Thanks Kerry!
Your grandfather is one of the greatest! Thank you so much for posting I have been hoping someday a video of him playing his signature song would pop up and here it is! Btw, I work with Hector Duhon's granddaughter.
This is a beautiful and amazing melody 😊
Glen, thanks for this. I hadn't seen this one. I'm from Breaux Bridge. One of my friends and I were talking about our favorite accordion players because Paul Daigle was on stage (Paul's awesome of course) at the Crawfish Festival this past weekend, (we both play, kyle WAY better than me though lol) and both of us immediately said "Octa". Nobody to this day can pull an accordion like your grandfather. Hearing him play Back O Town, Johnny Can't Dance, or Freight Train Blues leaves me speechless.
Love this video. Is that Dirk Powell, and Christine Balfa from Balfa Toujours dancing @ 4:15 ?
The best...
C'est jolie..! :-)