― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 23:50 (6 years ago) Permalink
― calstars, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 00:37 (6 years ago) Permalink
― novamax, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 04:48 (6 years ago) Permalink
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― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 15 May 2007 04:16 (6 years ago) Permalink
Bois Sec Ardoin died. Story in the Louisiana Advertiser: http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070518/NEWS01/705180302/1002
This Creole accordionist was something special.
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 20 May 2007 04:07 (5 years ago) Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QHfB2tEXuo
Bois Sec with Canray on Youtube.
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 20 May 2007 04:09 (5 years ago) Permalink
Not punk, but plenty of soul, was Balfa Toujours, at least live; I haven't heard their albums. Started by the daughter of Dewey Balfa, I think, and some other offspring of the Balfa Brothers involved at some points. Wanna say they're broken up, though hope not. There's also some excellent cajun and zydeco on the soundtrack to a German movie, Shultze Gets The Blues. It's about a German folk fan who gets totally bored with middle age, and comes to the American South, and it's got German-American bands, and the Bobby Jones Czech Band, and Kerry Cristensen, who combines Swiss- and Jimmie Rodgers-associated yodelling (the combination, or unbroken connection, seems to have its own party tradition in the Southeast-Southwest cusp that Schultze is travelling) Cajun and zydeco incl. Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, The Creole Connection, Carriere Brothers,Zydeco Force, Cleoma B. Falcon (some of these are from Shultze's collection, apparently, like 78s)Forced Exposure's where I got mine.
― dow, Sunday, 20 May 2007 19:47 (5 years ago) Permalink
Kerry "Christensen," that is.
― dow, Sunday, 20 May 2007 19:52 (5 years ago) Permalink
Yea, Balfa Tujours are nice Cajun. I also have fond memories of the late Dewey Balfa. I found the below at a website:
http://www.lsue.edu/acadgate/music/balfatj1.htm
With the birth of their second child, Sophie Jo Powell, born February 12, 2004, Christine Balfa and Dirk Powell and Balfa Toujours have not been touring as much lately, but the group is still making appearances at select venues around the country, including a performance before a crowd of some 5,000 in El Paso, Texas, in June 2005. Meanwhile Dirk Powell has been busy with a variety of projects, including performing on Loretta Lynn's Grammy-winning album.
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 20 May 2007 20:02 (5 years ago) Permalink
Forgot she'd married Dirk Powell! Good to know they'll be back, apparently/hopefully.
― dow, Sunday, 20 May 2007 21:27 (5 years ago) Permalink
Not all zydeco or Cajun, it's Texas accordion music in Houston courtesy of Ramiro Burr's San Antonio blog:
It's down to the final seven contestants in the Texas Folklife's 18th annual Accordion Kings & Queens show and The Big Squeeze. Film producer Hector Galan will be in Houston Friday, June 1 to work on his latest project, 'The Big Squeeze,' a film about Texas Folklife's first accordion contest, including the June 2 Accordion Kings & Queens concert at which the winner will be chosen.
Performing at the 2007 Accordion Kings & Queens concert will be Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Mingo SaldÃvar y Sus Tremendos Cuatro Espadas, Ginny Mac & the Road to Texas Band Miller Outdoor Theatre is located at 100 Concert Drive in Hermann Park.
And, the seven contestants in the big squeeze are: George Arechiga, Mission; Jose Ricardo Calleros, Mission; A.J. Castillo, Austin; Juan Longoria Jr., Brownsville; Matt Tolentino, Dallas; Robert Vega
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 2 June 2007 20:33 (5 years ago) Permalink
I wonder who won
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 3 June 2007 04:21 (5 years ago) Permalink
Still wondering. Maybe google will eventually help me find out.
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 3 June 2007 14:20 (5 years ago) Permalink
http://www.lsue.edu/acadgate/music/musicmain.htm
LSU website that lists lots and lots of zydeco and Cajun bands, offers bios, and links
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 15 September 2007 20:14 (5 years ago) Permalink
Maybe that music critic guy from Baton Rouge Advocate who shows up here every once in a while to do ask some research questions will have something to add.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Sunday, 16 September 2007 01:27 (5 years ago) Permalink
I just went to a zydeco dance with Rosie Ledet and her band band tonight. I hadn't seen her in years but have always loved her sultry soulful voice. They are still worth seeing even if you don't have the proper zydeco dancing footwork down. They're gonna be in NYC at Connolly's in midtown Sunday night.
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 16 September 2007 05:04 (5 years ago) Permalink
I do not think she did my fave cut though, "I'm Gonna Take Care of Your Dog (Show him where he can bury his bone)."
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 16 September 2007 12:29 (5 years ago) Permalink
My two sons were on stage with Buckwheat Zydeco last week. Sorry, had to tell someone.
― Jazzbo, Sunday, 16 September 2007 12:49 (5 years ago) Permalink
That's cool (I once sneared at Buckwheat and Dimension 5 (Haikunym Cibula) rightly took me to task for my snobbery. Buckwheat has a zydeco kids cd, right. Plus I think he used to play in funk and soul bands in the 70s.
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 16 September 2007 23:20 (5 years ago) Permalink
I was a Zydeco skeptic until I saw Beau Jocque perform at the Mid City Lanes Rock 'n Bowl back in the early '90s. He was a pretty intense performer, which I guess you have to be if you want to be heard above the sound of balls smashing into bowling pins.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Monday, 17 September 2007 01:37 (5 years ago) Permalink
Beau's bass player, Chuck Bush, was on guitar with Rosie Ledet at the zydeco dance the other night. He added more fuzztone than you usually hear from a zydeco axe-slinger.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 17 September 2007 04:48 (5 years ago) Permalink
Saw Rosie Ledet last month, and Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners last night (I think they're playing in Providence tonight and New York City Sunday night). Need to blurb more about this. Plus I've been reading about various festivals and stuff.
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 27 October 2007 17:02 (5 years ago) Permalink
Nice funky bottom from Leroy Thomas' rhythm section. Plus covers of Ray Charles, Hank Williams and the Everly Brothers. He does some of the same songs that Geno Delafose does. Like Geno he takes a traditional approach--that means he can get '70s style funky but no hiphop influence like some of the younger guys. Zydeco couples dancing when done right is so cool. But I don't have the time to practice.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 29 October 2007 14:33 (5 years ago) Permalink
http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007711190320
Article published Nov 19, 2007 Popular accordion player Zydeco Joe dies at age 64 Herman Fuselier hfusel✧✧✧@theadverti✧✧✧.c✧✧ Funeral services are pending for musician Zydeco Joe, aka Joseph Adam Mouton of Lafayette, who died Saturday at Lafayette General Hospital. Mouton was a popular accordion player, known for hits such as "You Can't Rooster Like You Used To," "Poppa Jack" and "Jack Rabbit." Mouton was 64. Syrie Funeral Home in Lafayette is in charge of arrangements.
Joseph Mouton, Mouton's son, confirmed Sunday that his father died from complications related to strep pneumonia. After several attempts to revive Mouton from cardiac arrest, he was declared brain dead Saturday afternoon. Mouton was kept on life support for 24 hours so his organs could be harvested for donation.
Mouton's death came as a shock to many in the zydeco music community. He had performed Nov. 10 at Rock the Moon, a KRVS listener appreciation party, held Nov. 10 at the Blue Moon Saloon. He also played Wednesday during the 21st Annual Thanksgiving Zydeco Food Drive at El Sido's Zydeco and Blues Club.
Cullen Washington of Lake Charles, his longtime producer, said Mouton was preparing to go back into the studio. His recent CD, "Black Cat" on Zydeco Gumbo Records, had become a best seller. Washington was ordering more copies for distribution.
Washington remembers Mouton as "a giving person" who often played for elderly residents nursing homes. Mouton was also proud of his Creole roots and the French language used in his music.
"What you see with Zydeco Joe was what he was," said Washington. "He used to tell me he might not be the best accordion player.
"But I used to tell him he might not be Keith Frank or J. Paul, but nobody could beat him at what he did. Not many could do the old school zydeco and the Creole French like he did. He was a natural guy."
Mouton was born Oct. 25, 1943, in rural Lafayette Parish. Although he played guitar as a teen, Mouton did not learn accordion until he was 45. A close friend, Robley Hebert, died in an auto accident and his mother gave the accordion to Mouton.
Dudley Broussard, a nursing home resident, showed Mouton how to play blues and old-style, zydeco tunes.
After mastering the instrument, Mouton formed his Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler Band in 1988. The group played clubs and festivals from Lafayette to New Orleans, along with some out-of-state appearance.
Mouton recorded two CDs, "Jack Rabbit" in 2001 on Maison de Soul Records of Ville Platte, and "Black Cat" in 2006.
― curmudgeon, Monday, 19 November 2007 20:22 (5 years ago) Permalink
Man, that's terrible. Me and a friend of mine here in Houston have a two-man Zydeco Joe cult. "Can't Rooster Like You Useta" is a classic.
― novamax, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 12:15 (5 years ago) Permalink
Awesome song title
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 19:26 (5 years ago) Permalink
croc style - boom like that
― CaptainLorax, Sunday, 27 January 2008 21:59 (5 years ago) Permalink
― CaptainLorax, Sunday, 27 January 2008 22:05 (5 years ago) Permalink
http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080211/NEWS01/802110320
Terrence Simien used to put on some great zydeco shows back in the 80s and he would occasionally add some blues and reggae and roots rock into the mix. By the '90s he increased the amount of non-zydeco and began to attract a jam band following. I lost interest in him. Recently I read that he and his wife's multi-year effort to get a Cajun and Zydeco category added to the Grammies paid off. And sure enough, the Grammy folks just gave him the award this year! While his efforts schooling the Grammys folks on the need for such an award is to be commended, it's a bit more questionable saying his latest cd was more worthy than that of the other artists nominated (and some of the great artists not even nominated). Yes I will admit that I have not heard his latest. And maybe expecting a smart decision from the Grammy folks (who once gave Jethro Tull the best heavy metal band award)is naive.
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 13 February 2008 01:17 (5 years ago) Permalink
I'm way into zydeco right now. I admit, the 'hipster proof'ness of the genre is what drew me to it initially, but man, there is some rockin' shit to be discovered here. This was sorta my last stone unturned, genre wise, and I'm pretty excited about it right now. Anyone got any recommendations besides those listed above?
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Wednesday, 9 April 2008 06:31 (5 years ago) Permalink
do u guys prefer polkas or waltzes
― Curt1s Stephens, Wednesday, 9 April 2008 06:56 (5 years ago) Permalink
Waltzes are Cajun (and sometimes Creole), polkas are not. I prefer faster-tempoed zydeco to both, but if I had to choose I'd take waltzes.
I like all the zydeco acts that regularly come through the DC area--Curley Taylor, Andre Thiery, Geno Delafose...Plus, if you want to just listen to cds of old classic stuff you can also check out that Kingdom of Zydeco book. There's another book on Texas zydeco that I've been meaning to get.
I wish the more hiphop-inflected zydeco acts from Texas (Houston area mostly) would come my way-Step Rideaux and others. I'm spacing out on some of the names right now. Will list more of 'em later.
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 9 April 2008 11:28 (5 years ago) Permalink
Actually Novamax listed 'em above. On the Cajun side of things, I've always liked Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys who add zydeco, melodic swamp pop, and minor-key balladry to their Cajun sound. They're touring the US in May (or at least coming to DC).
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 9 April 2008 12:40 (5 years ago) Permalink
Another great Houston act: Lady D and the Zydeco Tornadoes. Her albums just make me smile.
― novamax, Wednesday, 9 April 2008 16:28 (5 years ago) Permalink
I wish those Houston acts would tour the East coast.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 10 April 2008 13:37 (5 years ago) Permalink
No mentions of Amanda Shaw yet on this thread??
http://blog.rhapsody.com/2008/04/so-i-caught-17.html
― xhuxk, Thursday, 10 April 2008 13:50 (5 years ago) Permalink
I also really like this Arhoolie album I heard a couple years ago by Sam Brothers 5 (who are only partially young, but still):
http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6739414/a/S.A.M.+(Get+Down).htm
― xhuxk, Thursday, 10 April 2008 13:53 (5 years ago) Permalink
I think I saw young fiddler Amanda Shaw at Jazzfest a few years ago. Your praise and something I read in Offbeat have me curious about her latest cd.
I have vague fond recollections of that Sam Brothers 5 one also.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 10 April 2008 14:08 (5 years ago) Permalink
I didn't see it, and I forget the kid's name, but I read that Oprah featured the 10-year-old zydeco accordion prodigy on her show a week or two ago. His name is either Ledet or Leday or Laday or some variant...I've been hearing about him for a few years now.
― novamax, Thursday, 10 April 2008 16:59 (5 years ago) Permalink
amanda shaw is vile but if for some undoubtedly non-illicit reason actually want to suffer through her schtick the imax film hurricane on the bayou has her pretending to play with an "all-star" band of her, allen toussaint, marva wright and "cajun" novelty bluesman tab benoit. the film also patiently explains to the viewer that the flooding in new orleans was a "natural disaster" and that some people somewhere might think maybe that perhaps the government didn't respond quite as well as it could have.
― adam, Thursday, 10 April 2008 17:13 (5 years ago) Permalink
I've read many folks critique that movie for the same reasons. I always found Amanda Shaw harmless (not exceptional not terrible).
It's Jazz & heritage fest weekend in New Orleans and that big other fest down in Lafayette right now. Lots of zydeco and Cajun for all.
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 26 April 2008 18:28 (5 years ago) Permalink
I wish Texas writer (and ocassional ILX poster) John Nova Lomax was still writing about Houston zydeco...
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 25 October 2011 16:25 (1 year ago) Permalink
zydeco in Opelousas
http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20111103/ACADIANA04/111030310
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 19 November 2011 15:33 (1 year ago) Permalink
In his year-end wrapup Southern soul blogger Daddy B. Nice said in part:
--The Zydeco sound was contagious, with artists from T. K. Soul to Kenne' Wayne to Ms. Jody endeavoring to incorporate it into their music. All of the attempts paled next to the mesmerizing rhythms of the real thing in the hands of veterans Keith Frank ("Cassanova," "Haterz") and Rosie Ledet ("When I'm Gone"), whenever Southern Soul deejays deigned to insert their masterful work into their playlists.
http://www.southernsoulrnb.com/corner2012.cfm
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 4 January 2012 05:32 (1 year ago) Permalink
Zydeco acts are always coming through the W. DC area and somehow I always miss CJ Chenier. Missed him again last night at Hill Country BBque. I like his albums. I think some zydeco dance fanatics are less crazy about him, as he does not always just stick to that zydeco beat
― curmudgeon, Friday, 16 March 2012 13:10 (1 year ago) Permalink
Minneapolis seems to have fallen out of favor for touring zydeco bands, so I haven't seen him for quite a few years now. Always prefer his concerts and albums to Buckwheat. I think he's a better, more soulful singer than many of those guys.
― On the sidelines in a trash can grumping (Dan Peterson), Friday, 16 March 2012 14:17 (1 year ago) Permalink
Curley Taylor, Leroy Thomas, Rosie Ledet, Dennis Stroughmatt, Steve Riley, and others are always coming through the Washington DC/Baltimore area.
http://wherewegotozydeco.com/
I wish obscure Houston and Louisiana zydeco bands that rarely tour would come through.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 16 March 2012 14:31 (1 year ago) Permalink
The same bands tour up and down the East Coast. Here's a June 2012 Connecticut fest schedule. But no obscure Houston bands I don't think.
http://www.strawberrypark.net/cajun-zydeco-festival/
― curmudgeon, Monday, 9 April 2012 15:14 (1 year ago) Permalink
Saw Cajuns Goldman Thibodeaux, Hadlee Castille and Steve Riley at Jazzfest in New Orleans, among others.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 1 May 2012 16:04 (1 year ago) Permalink
Missed new and upcoming zydeco artist Ruben Moreno appearing in Maryland last weekend
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 22 May 2012 20:19 (11 months ago) Permalink
"New" means he has only been leading a band and touring the East coast recently, but this 22-year-old has been in bands since he was 13
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 22 May 2012 20:20 (11 months ago) Permalink
http://www.zydecoevents.com/texaszydecoevents.html
lots of zydeco in Texas
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 23 May 2012 13:52 (11 months ago) Permalink
Extended video version of zydeco-r'n'b dance song "Do It With Your Boots On" by Cupid
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 27 May 2012 02:32 (11 months ago) Permalink
there's a cajun music thread and i never posted this????
― Never translate Dutch (jaymc), Sunday, 27 May 2012 07:45 (11 months ago) Permalink
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2012/06/01/why-zydeco-player-curley-taylor-likes-r-kelly/
― curmudgeon, Friday, 1 June 2012 18:47 (11 months ago) Permalink
New York City's zydeco scene is in trouble
http://jimsrootsandblues.com/blog/letter-from-zydecolaura/
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 2 June 2012 01:53 (11 months ago) Permalink
Pine Leaf Boys are probably the first Cajun band to tour in these countries
June 13-18 Kyrgyzstan U.S. State Department TourJune 19-24 Tajikistan U.S. State Department TourJune 25-July 2 Uzbekistan U.S. State Department Tour
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 12 June 2012 04:05 (11 months ago) Permalink
The Savoy family (maybe with Wilson Savoy from the Pine Leaf Boys) were just in the UK, France and Belgium.
x-post re the future of zydeco gigs in the Northeast USA:Read nice writeup of recent New Jersey and Connecticut festivals with zydeco bands. The zydeco fanatics are making it out to the festivals if not to single band shows in individual East coast towns.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 12 June 2012 14:40 (11 months ago) Permalink
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/05/garden/at-home-with-louis-michot-of-the-lost-bayou-ramblers.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
Nice NY Times piece on the fiddle player from raucous Cajun Band Lost Bayou Ramblers and his unique home
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 5 July 2012 13:52 (10 months ago) Permalink
Rhythm and Roots Festival, on Labor Day weekend in Ninigret, RI is getting lots of attention from zydeco fanatics although the bill does not look as good as fests in Louisiana or Texas, naturally
http://www.cascadezydeco.com/trips/festivals.shtml
Host Band: The Pine Leaf Boys Featuring Steve Riley, David Bromberg, Geno Delafose, The Gourds, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Johnny Nicholas, Roddie Romero and that's just the start... many more TBA!
Bed & Breakfast Referrals (from Bed and Breakfast Referrals of South Coast Rhode Island)
There are two huge dance floors, and dancers galore of both sexes! Dancing goes til midnight all three days.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 30 August 2012 15:12 (8 months ago) Permalink
I go to R&R every year (we’ll be there Sunday). It’s my favorite festival ever — very relaxed, cool people, great workshop tents, good food. Just a fantastic all-around atmosphere.
― Jazzbo, Thursday, 30 August 2012 16:47 (8 months ago) Permalink
I have never been, but I am on a Washington DC area zydeco and root-rock email list with a number of people who go up there every year and always seem enthusiastic
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 30 August 2012 17:54 (8 months ago) Permalink
http://www.offbeat.com/2012/10/25/hadley-castille-1933-2012/#.UIoJwNqOB1E.email
RIP. I saw this great Cajun fiddler a few times.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 26 October 2012 13:47 (6 months ago) Permalink
zydeco and Southern soul line dance music come together with autotuned vocals:
Here's the zydeco remix of Bigg Robb's "Work That Sexy"
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 21 November 2012 04:42 (5 months ago) Permalink
Lost Bayou Ramblers were raucous and rocking in San Francisco tonight, where I saw 'em while on vacation
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 6 December 2012 09:45 (5 months ago) Permalink
http://www.oxfordamerican.org/articles/2012/nov/29/issue-79-dragged-through-forest-long-gone-sound-am/
― i guess i'd just rather listen to canned heat? (ian), Thursday, 6 December 2012 17:26 (5 months ago) Permalink
Those old-time Creole fiddlers like Amede Ardoin are great
― curmudgeon, Monday, 10 December 2012 05:48 (5 months ago) Permalink
he was an accordionist iirc.
― i guess i'd just rather listen to canned heat? (ian), Monday, 10 December 2012 16:56 (5 months ago) Permalink
Doh! Of course. I must have been thinking about Canray Fontenot, who performed often with Bois Sec Ardoin
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/02/obituaries/canray-fontenot-72-a-singer-and-violinist-in-creole-style.html
― curmudgeon, Monday, 10 December 2012 20:27 (5 months ago) Permalink
I need to check out that Oxford issue
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 12 December 2012 16:28 (5 months ago) Permalink
I've been listening to the new Oxford CD at work a lot. Some familiar songs ("Bon Ton Roula," "Sugar Bee") but lots new to me: a great Johnny Adams oldie I hadn't heard before, and Margaret Lewis covering Johnny's "Reconsider Me." They always include one or two "arty" cuts (this time it's "Fifteen Saxophones" by Dickie Landry) that disrupt the flow.
Having friends over for jambalaya this weekend, and already planning what NOLA music will accompany!
― Sailor-neighbor of Chaucer's wife (Tubby) (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 10 January 2013 17:45 (4 months ago) Permalink
Step Rideau & the Zydeco OutlawsSTEP IS COMING TO TOWN! IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG@Tremont Suites Ballroom, 222 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD"Take Off" Texas Rollin' Empire Inaugural Zydeco GalaDoors Open 8pm - 12 midnight Music all night
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 15 January 2013 18:49 (4 months ago) Permalink
Oh that's Friday and Saturday the 18th and 19th plus Dress: Semi Formal Western Wear "Glitz & Jeans"
I like Step's funky zydeco but am not likely gonna be able to head up to Charm City for the gig
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 15 January 2013 18:51 (4 months ago) Permalink
Panel discussions Saturday April 20th at the EMP Pop Conference in New orleans at Tulane
Dancehalls of South Lousiana12:00pm–1:00pm
A brownbag talk with John Sharp FeaturingJohn Sharp
The Creolization of Cajun and Zydeco1:15pm–2:45pm FeaturingMichael TisserandBen SandmelD'Jalma Garnier
http://empmuseum.org/programs-plus-education/programs/pop-conference/2013/emp-pop-conference-2013-new-orleans.aspx
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 17 April 2013 16:47 (1 month ago) Permalink
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/04/26/2552992/young-musicians-cling-to-cajun.html
"Cling"
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 27 April 2013 15:36 (3 weeks ago) Permalink
heard lots of interesting stuff re zydeco and Cajun at EMP.
Meanwhile over in Texas there's a great Mothers Day weekend zydeco and Southern soul gig:
94.5's zydeco meets the blues fest:
May 11 (Skyline Ranch @ 1801 E. Wheatland Rd., Dallas, TX, 75241) 1:15pm
Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws, Brian Jack and The Zydeco Gamblers, Lil' Nate & The Zydeco Big Timers Cupid, Mel Waiters, Floyd Taylor, Latimore, Denise LaSalle & The PG Man, and Don Diego & Eddie G
― curmudgeon, Monday, 29 April 2013 19:41 (2 weeks ago) Permalink
― curmudgeon, Monday, 29 April 2013 19:42 (2 weeks ago) Permalink
So if I was to get just one cajun/zydeco compilation, which should it be?
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Monday, 29 April 2013 19:54 (2 weeks ago) Permalink
let me think about it. I hope you realize that Cajun and Zydeco are 2 different things-- Cajun is more country and slower tempoed and is created by white folks descended from the French (and relies more on the fiddle); while Zydeco has faster tempos and is created by Afro-Creoles who incorporate r'n'b influences (and uses the accordion more than the fiddle).
― curmudgeon, Monday, 29 April 2013 21:44 (2 weeks ago) Permalink
Yes, I realize I'm guilty of conflating two distinct styles. So recommend me one of each, then, fair play.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 30 April 2013 00:17 (2 weeks ago) Permalink
You can't go wrong with any discs from Rhino's "Alligator Stomp" series. Start with Vol. 1.
― Jazzbo, Tuesday, 30 April 2013 11:19 (2 weeks ago) Permalink
As a marketing technique and from folks who don't know the difference Cajun and zydeco are often used interchangeably.
I still need to think of an answer as I just have mostly individual releases from artists and not compilations
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 30 April 2013 14:14 (2 weeks ago) Permalink
There's a nice reissue of Amade Ardoin that complicates the genre issue. He is a Creole who was making music long before zydeco became established. His sound is a bit like more what we think of as Cajun, but its different.
Arhoolie began releasing Cajun and zydeco long ago, need to see if they have any nice comps.
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 30 April 2013 14:19 (2 weeks ago) Permalink
Did not make it to Jazzfest this year, but this Gambit writer did:
The Fais Do-Do stage hosted a Lafayette double-header with stalwart young Cajun bands Feufollet and Pine Leaf Boys moving big crowds — despite a formidable mud pit. Showing off just how far Cajun music traditions can be pushed, Feufollet struck up an eerie uptempo take on Brian Eno's "Baby's On Fire," before cheekily asking the crowd, "Y'all ready for some Hall and Oates?"
Roots revival
The Pine Leaf Boys kicked the crowd into gear with a couple of mid-set covers, including a raucous "Great Balls of Fire" and a gorgeous, reverential Cajun tribute to George Jones with his "A Picture of Me (Without You)." The band continued its memorial with a tribute to Les Blank, the documentarian who helped revive interest in Cajun culture with a series of films in the 1970s. The band also caved to an audience request of an early track, "Pine Grove Blues."
Ramble on
"Who's beastin' it today?" shouted Lost Bayou Ramblers singer Louis Michot before the band launched into "The Bathtub," its cut from the Beasts of the Southern Wild soundtrack. The band ripped through songs from old and new albums, including the vinyl single "Bastille" that featured Gordon Gano and got a remix by GIVERS. The band finished its set by dedicating its French version of The Who's "My Generation" to a 30-year-veteran Jazz Fest stage member.
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― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 14 May 2013 15:37 (5 days ago) Permalink