Cajun and zydeco music is not just for old people

Kerry "Christensen," that is.

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.

Forgot she'd married Dirk Powell! Good to know they'll be back, apparently/hopefully.

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 Saldívar 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

I wonder who won

Still wondering. Maybe google will eventually help me find out.

http://www.lsue.edu/acadgate/music/musicmain.htm

LSU website that lists lots and lots of zydeco and Cajun bands, offers bios, and links

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.

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.

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)."

My two sons were on stage with Buckwheat Zydeco last week.
Sorry, had to tell someone.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Awesome song title

http://www.parisdjs.com/images/covers/Mr_Moo-Cajun%20Funk_Vol_1_b.jpg
croc style - boom like that

http://img170.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf59282uk2.jpg

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.

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?

do u guys prefer polkas or waltzes

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.

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).

Another great Houston act: Lady D and the Zydeco Tornadoes. Her albums just make me smile.

I wish those Houston acts would tour the East coast.

No mentions of Amanda Shaw yet on this thread??

http://blog.rhapsody.com/2008/04/so-i-caught-17.html

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Just heard Travis Matte & the Kingpins doing "Vibrator" on the radio yesterday. It's about a woman's bottom. The song's actually from 2005 (why I have I never heard this before). I just learned that Matte, who used to please traditionalists with French language Cajun material, now does more zydeco (and in English). His 2006 cd is called "Booty Zydeco"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3oA7_xAChg

http://www.lsue.edu/acadgate/music/zydecokingpins.htm

Then there's Horace Trahan & the New Ossun Express's "That Butt Thang"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXh3eezILaU&feature=related

http://www.lsue.edu/acadgate/music/htrahan.htm

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is featuring Texas this summer so I was hoping some of those Texas acts that rarely if ever come up North would be playing. But alas, the only Texas zydeco act that appears to be coming is CJ Chenier. Although Step Rideau will be here June 13th at the Kennedy Center for free.

I missed Step, but I think they videotaped the show and it is archived on the Kennedy Center Milennium stage website. I just bought Roger Wood's "Texas Zydeco" book at the Smithsonian Folklife Fest today. Wood was apparently at the Fest last week as one of the themes as I noted above is Texas. I missed CJ Chenier who was apparently good, but stayed on a stool the whole time because he had a stroke (and he's not that old). I saw a little of Jim Thibodeaux and the Austin Cajun Aces (or something like that). They were ok--just standard trad Cajun.

zydeco for Obama

I heard that on Rachel Maddow's show a couple of nights ago. Curmudgeon, you're doing the work of the Lord, keeping this thread going almost singlehandedly.

It's one of my ILX blogs along with the chitlin circuit soul thread!!

Just heard the Zydeco Cowboy, Texas Fred, playing "Zydeco Strokin'" (a version of the Clarence Carter song) on WPFW. I think it was by Jude Taylor. Very nice.

God, it's that kind of stuff that makes me miss Virginia.

I know it's not the same but supposedly you can hear wpfw online. Texas Fred, The Zydeco Cowboy, is on Saturday afternoons now from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time (hmmm, that's like 11 a.m. for you). WPFW's chitlin circuit soul and blues show with dj The Gator is on before at noon Eastern time so give it a try some rainy Saturday when you don't mind being near or on the computer.

My apartment's small, so I can just turn the speakers up a little. Will definitely give it a go.

I wonder if this scene will end up spreading a little like the Daptone, etc., soul stuff.

What are the labels and distribution channels for contemporary cajun music? is any of it being released on LP?
my only expose to cajun music has been the series of LPs on the Old-Timey label, mostly of cajun fiddling. That stuff I like very much.

Oh you're the vinyl addict. Young Cajun band the Pine Leaf Boys are on Arhoolie (who I think still put out vinyl and have been releasing Cajun and zydeco records for decades), the Lost Bayou Ramblers (wh add some jazzy swing to their sound) are on Swallow (maybe still vinyl not sure), and the Red Stick Ramblers (who I don't much about are on Memphis Int.). Great African-american fiddler Cedric Watson who was in the Pine Leaf Boys (they still include Wilson Savoy, Marc & Ann's son) put out a solo cd with guest musicians on a label called Valcour earlier this year---again I know it's on cd but don't know about vinyl.

Louisiana zydeco groups record for a variety of big and small indie labels, and Texas(Mostly Houston area) ones (some hiphop-influenced) record on very small indies.

The Louisiana Music Factory store (with website) in New Orleans sells lots of the above (I believe including vinyl). Alas, the Nooney & the Floaters hiphop-inflected zydeco cd from a few years back that I wanted is now unavailable.

thanks :D

No problem. Now I just need a good source on Houston zydeco (and maybe Louisiana too). Maybe if I google Lomax's Texas alt-weekly contributions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shFWGTZtomk

I like this Folkways doc about Ann Savoy and her latest album. It’s her life story- Richmond photographer/ folk singer who moves with her Mom to Europe after her Dad dies young and unexpectedly. Her seeing art and getting into music there and learning French. Then her coming back and discovering Cajun music and culture and getting enamored with Louisiana musician farmer Marc Savoy and they creating a life and family together. She continues to make music and do photography and more the whole time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shFWGTZtomk

https://www.myspiltmilk.com/articles/remembering-feufollets-chris-staffords-importance-at-jazz-fest

More on the recently passed Chris Stafford and how he was a Cajun musician but also into Eno and garage rock

seeing on Facebook there was a big fest up in New England somewhere yesterday plus I think some recent gigs in NYC. Alas, there are some Louisiana and Texas zydeco bands busy working dayjobs as well who can't afford to take time off and play gigs elsewhere

https://www.ponderosastomp.com/music_more/299/Lynn+August

Blind Louisiana Creole accordionist & keyboard player Lynn August is coming up my way around October 19 (but I will be on the left US coast for a wedding)

Some others coming in the fall:

September 8 Sunday Jourdan Thibodeaux w/Cedric Watson & Joel Savoy
Presented by American Roots Concerts & Quicksilver Productions Foundation
@Hill Center at The Old Naval Hospital
921 Pennsyllvania Ave. SE, Washington DC 20003
Admission: Free Music: 4:30-6:30
Tickets Recommended
FIC: https://www.hillcenterdc.org 202 549 4172

September 20 Friday The Pine Leaf Boys
Presented by Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture
In cooperation with Dancing By The Bayou
7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812
Admission: TBD Dance Lesson: 7:00 Music: 7:30-10:30
FFIC: https://www.glenechopark.org
301 634 2222

September 20-22 Fri, Sat, Sun The Pine Leaf Boys
Presented by The Maryland Folk Festival
@115 S division St, Salisbury, MD 21801
Many bands too numerous to post. Check the schedule
Admission: Free FFIC: https://www.mdfolkfest.com
410 677 1916

Wow, I had no idea Lynn August was still active. The CDs he recorded for Black Top are good, I put them on fairly often when I’m cooking jambalaya.

I had not realized he was still active till I saw that he was coming up my way.

I also see that Cajun musician Steve Riley has a new to me band called the Cajun 4 and his son Burke Riley is in the group

Also coming my way are the trio of Cajun fiddler & vocalist Jourdain Thibodeaux w/ Creole accordionist Cedric Watson and Cajun guitarist Joel Savoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu4yHMYK8JE

Cedric Watson was a no-show, so Jourdan T was joined by Joel Savoy and his brother Wilson Savoy. Real nice show of Cajun waltzes and stuff. Plus lots of between song stories from Jordan Thibodeaux, and some impressive couples dancing in the crowd. Some folks were irritated of course by Watson not being there. Jourdan said "He made other plans."

wow his accent is wild, i bet it was fun listening to him tell stories all night

It was . He kept talking about his “harses “ ( horses) but also got serious and spoke about learning from Black Creole musicians who had much tougher lives than him, and how making it for anyone in rural Louisiana is tough. The Savoy brothers spoke less but they are such great musicians it didn’t matter.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-secure-el-cerritos-cultural-landmark

We need to save Les Blank studio and Arhoolie records building

https://www.discogs.com/release/9961038-Various-Trail-Riderz-Vol-1?srsltid=AfmBOopVkTj30NYtoRLYLIQ481jfCZ7M4vcjYs1GmJNm_ssAwkOf0cYX

I picked this up when I still lived in Louisiana so I’m not sure where to track down a copy these days but maybe it’s out there somewhere…always found the zydeco and radio rap/pop hybrid sound to be pretty fascinating, definitely kind of a niche scene I think.

Includes the Zydeco standard “Bitch Better Have My Money”

oh yeah! the band i saw when i caught the zydeco fest in NOLA played a cover of Pony that had people dancing like nothing i have ever seen in my life

Cool.

Bryan Jack who does the “Bitch “ song on that track is one of several zydeco acts in Houston area of Texas who I follow on Instagram who meld zydeco with hip hop and Rnb . He’s got a “Boots, Bling, & Zydeco “ gig on November 23 in Beaumont, Texas .

Saw Louis Michot (from Los Bayou Ramblers & Beasts of the Southern Wild soundtrack) duet for an hour and a half with 15 years New Orleans resident Haitian- American Leyla McCalla tonight for free at the Library of Congress Coolidge Auditorium. Pretty good show with McCalla Haitian Creole ballads sounding great and the Creole & Cajun dance numbers and ballads sounding good. Michot played mostly just fiddle, and a few songs on guitar & sang with his old-school Louisiana French drawl. McCalla played mostly cello, but banjo on some songs and guitar on a few. Her voice was passionate and soulful on the French Creole lyrics she sang. They each did one song alone, and they did one song together without instruments where Michot's high, lonesome voice and her soulful tear-stained vocals melded together and contrasted nicely. Lots of explanations between songs with his often being this was done by my great uncle and its about a guy on a farm, while hers were more like I found this old Folkways album by so & so and this song is about poor people with holes in their shoes struggling , and my Dad helped me understand the meaning of the Haitian Creole lyrics. They also both talked about how Haitian culture has influenced Louisiana music.

Something called the Nous Foundation from New Orleans is putting out an album with the 2 of them together, in May.

Clifton Chenier tribute album featuring the Stones and some younger people out in late June:

Start with the Stones, and Mick singin’ in French. Add Louisiana native Lucinda Williams delivering a slow, slinky, swamp pop sound, and invite Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, Jimmie Vaughan, Charley Crockett and so many more to pay tribute to the late King of Zydeco.

Chenier, who died in 1987 due to diabetes-related kidney disease, would've turned 100 on June 25. To celebrate his centennial, Valcour Records founder Joel Savoy and Los Lobos' Steve Berlin teamed up with executive producer John Leopold to produce “A Tribute to the King," out June 27.

Tracklist:

1. Zydeco Sont Pas Salés,” The Rolling Stones and Steve Riley
2. “Easy Easy Baby,” Charley Crockett and Nathan Williams, Sr.
3. “Hey ’Tite Fille,” Taj Mahal and Keith Frank
4. “Release Me,” Lucinda Williams, Tommy McClain and Keith Frank
5. “Just Like A Woman,” Steve Earle and Anthony Dopsie
6. “I’m On The Wonder,” Jon Cleary and Curley Taylor
7. “My Soul,” Jimmie Vaughan, Johnny Nicholas and Steve Riley
8. “Hot Rod,” David Hidalgo and CJ Chenier
9. “Tout Le Temps En Temps,” Shannon McNally, Keith Frank and Molly Tuttle
10. “Ay Ai Ai,” Ruben Ramos with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Meyers
11. “I May Be Wrong,” Marcia Ball and Geno Delafose
12. “I’m Coming Home,” CJ Chenier and Sonny Landreth
13. “You Used To Call Me,” John Hiatt and Roddie Romero
14. “Why Did You Go Last Night," Kam Franklin, A.J. Haynes and Roddie Romero

All proceeds from “A Tribute to the King” will fund the newly established Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship, which will provide financial assistance to students studying traditional music — specifically zydeco accordion — at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Oh nice, Steve Riley with the Rolling Stones; 84-years old Augie Myers w/ Ramos & Los Texmaniacs

I just saw Lynn August passed away February 12 of this year. I’m making jambalaya tonight and his Sauce Piquante cd is still one of my favorite cooking accompaniments. I never got to see him live. RIP.

Sad news there. Lynn August was good live - soulful.

Wayne Kahn, who recorded blues & zydeco since the 90s is doing a film doc re the Carrier/Carriere' family of Southwest Louisiana. From the La-La legends Bebe' and Dolan (The Carriere' Brothers) to Dolan's son Calvin and Bebe's son Andrew, thru Roy Carrier, his sons Chubby & Dikki Du. He's got a go fund me

https://gofund.me/b53a7244

It's too bad it is too hard for Houston, Texas based zydeco acts (who incorporate current r&b & hiphop aspects ) to get time off from their dayjobs and travel and perform elsewhere in US and the world. A handful of Louisiana acts do tour , and do so repeatedly but would love to see the others on the east coast who I only know about via Instagram posts and stories.

Is there some licensing issue with the famous hit version of Rockin' Sidney's "My Toot Toot"? It looks like they're using the 1990 re-recording on streaming services and not the one that came out of nowhere to be a hit in 1985.

This is the 1990 re-recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqf10CmdiD0

THIS is the hit version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo3u7x-998o

Good question.

The Wiki for the record label Maison Soul says in part:

Maison de Soul had its biggest hit with the Rockin' Sidney song "My Toot Toot", released on Sidney's 1984 album My Zydeco Shoes Got the Zydeco Blues. The song was subsequently released as a single in January 1985 in Louisiana and Texas, and became a regional hit.[7] The original recording was later leased to Epic Records, who released it nationally,[8] and made it to the Country Top 40 charts, where it remained for 18 weeks.[9][10] It was the first zydeco song to receive major airplay on pop, rock and country radio stations.[7] Later in 1985, "My Toot Toot" was certified platinum and won the 1986 Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording.[11] The song has been covered by artists as varied as Fats Domino, Rosie Ledet, Jean Knight, Terrance Simien, Doug Kershaw, Denise LaSalle, Jimmy C. Newman and John Fogerty. A Spanish version titled "Mi Cu-Cu" by La Sonora Dinamita sold over a million copies in Mexico, Central America, and South America[3] and was a top-played song in the Latino radio market as late as 2011.[7] A German beer company licensed it to use in their radio and television commercials. Decades after "My Toot Toot" debuted, it continued to draw royalties from commercial use in Europe, as well as earnings from cover versions in several languages by dozens of musicians.[7]

From what I can tell, the only legit, in-print CD that has it is This Is Louisiana from Ace Records in the UK, but it's been BLOCKED for sale on Discogs due to some legal issue with the track "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye."

Apparently someone from Al Reed's estate blocked all releases with that song due to the song being "unlicensed."

crazy