I believe it is because I went through a period of investigating Cajun roots music that even led to the purchase of a Cajun accordion. The vibrating reed tones are obviously quite similar. And there is something about the in and out mechanism that encourages more emphasis on the rhythm at the core of the music (in comparison to say a clarinet, saxophone, or flute). Saxophone - that is one instrument that does not speak to me - although it certainly seems popular with some.
Cajun music has its own direct and elemental earthiness, with the added bonus of mostly French lyrics. Is it global slumming if you are slumming close to home? Something about the phenomenon is the same. The Cajun accordion, by being limited to one key, is unlike other accordion music that seems to just imitate say piano. Being limited to that one series of notes forces the intensity to be dialed up in other ways. To me that is somehow purer, and aspiring to the pure is one of those unattainable ideals at the heart of life anyway.
Other than noodling around a bit on that accordion when I'm in a strange mood (definitely soothing), I never really learned to play. So I now I live vicariously through other's music.
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