Cajun and zydeco music is not just for old people

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QHfB2tEXuo

Bois Sec with Canray on Youtube.

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.

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.

Ann Savoy and Louis Michot on Out To Lunch!

podcast.We had a fun time doing the show plus got a free lunch from French Press, one of my top favorite restaurants.

You can also hear the show any time and see photos from the show here: https://link.chtbl.com/Vj_kXlwb If this link takes you to our podcast platform, which it can if you’re on a mobile device, and you want to go to our website, the direct link is https://itsacadiana.com/show/out-to-lunch/

Korey Broussard, young zydeco musician whose uncle had/has a band, is often doing Instagram lives

https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/article_d09c4722-1053-11ec-a31d-c7bc38709d20.html

RIP The great Louisiana swamp pop, Cajun, & rock and roll singer drummer Warren Storm at 84. On ballads could sound a bit like Roy Orbison. I saw him in New Orleans when he played with Lil Band of Gold. Was healthy and gigging on occasion there until August when he got sick and was hospitalized.

Regrettably, I am announcing that Lagniappe Productions is suspending all operations immediately. As a result, the 24th Annual Rhythm & Roots Music, Dance and Food Festival scheduled for Labor Day weekend 2022 is cancelled.

I have not come to this decision lightly. After consulting with my doctors and my family, we’ve decided that I should step away from festival production for health issues that have taken their toll for the past 12 years. Most recently, a major medical event hospitalized me for two days during the last Rhythm & Roots festival. You can imagine the frustration and disappointment that I experienced missing the festival that I planned for two years. The consensus of all involved is that I must step away from festival production immediately....

I wonder if someone else will pick up the slack and do a Northeast fest.

I am following on Instagram various zydeco acts and they’re back gigging In Louisiana and Texas ( especially in Houston area)

**June 9 -12 Strawberry Park Blast From The Bayou
@Strawberry Park, 42 Pierce Rd., Preston, CT 06365
Steve Riley & Mamou Playboys, Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie,
Jesse Lege’ & Bayou Brew, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble,
Pineleaf Boys, Jeffery Broussard & the Zydeco Cowboys,
Lil’ Wayne & Same Ole Two Step,
Rusty Meter & Zydeco Krush
Dennis Strouggmatt & Honky Tonk Dance Band
Plus more bands, too many to list
FFIC: http:www.strawberrypark.net
860 886 1944 for Reservations

Swamp Pop Legend Tommy McLain has a new all-star backed record coming out in August, and also will be touring with Nick Lowe this summer.

https://yeproc.11spot.com/tommy-mclain-i-ran-down-every-dream.html

I Ran Down Every Dream is the first album in over four decades by swamp pop legend Tommy McLain. Produced by his musical protege C.C. Adcock, I Ran Down Every Dream was recorded in Louisiana, Texas, California, and England, with a similarly disparate group of friends and fans, including Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe (both of whom contribute co-writes), plus Jon Cleary, Denny Freeman, Ed Harcourt, Roy Lowe, Augie Meyers, Ivan Neville, Van Dyke Parks, Mickey Raphael, Steve Riley, Speedy Sparks, Warren Storm and more.

As an album, I Ran Down Every Dream is both a celebration and a requiem. It bookends a career that has seen Tommy scale the upper reaches of the Billboard charts, share the stage with the likes of Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, The Yardbirds and ZZ Top, and become a global ambassador for the swamp pop sound - that singularly affecting combination of rhythm and blues, country and western, gospel, and traditional French Louisiana styles. The album also looks back, with more than a little heartache, in tribute to some of the fellow musical travelers that McLain has lost. Two tracks on the album were written by McLain’s dear friend and Louisiana music royalty Bobby Charles, and it also marks the final sessions for two legendary musicians who died in 2021; Texas guitar slinger Denny Freeman, and Tommy’s close collaborator Warren Storm. For McLain himself, the years-long road to I Ran Down Every Dream was beset by a heart attack, two hurricanes and a house fire. With every obstacle he overcame, McLain's resolve to complete I Ran Down Every Dream grew stronger.

oooo, that sounds like it will be good. Swamp pop is good stuff

Friend and archivist Michael Klausman dug into the demos sent to cajun label Goldband Records, now housed at UNC-Chapel Hill. Most were unlabeled, and many were utter shit, but after listening to most of them, he whittled down a selection of 30 tracks for our listening pleasure. Some very weird and also very cool stuff here.

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/cdcf39a6b68dd876a5940ada55dd835620220808160758/be740f?src=dnl

Missed the above, and the we transfer of Goldband 30 tracks has expired

https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/20245/
UNC has this link but I wonder if I can access the music that way

Saw Lafayette, Louisiana band the Revelers for free today in DC. Real nice set of swamp pop, Cajun waltzes, and fast-tempoed Cajun and zydeco songs. Plus a cover of "I got Loaded" that I know from Los Lobos but haven't looked up who wrote it

The original is by Lil' Bob & The Lollipops

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNOlcNAmcz4

It's a serious Gulf Coast Standard. Somebody's probably dancing to it in a bar/dancehall right now.

I guess this is as good a place as any to mention that writer John Nova Lomax (poster 'novamax' upthread) needs help: https://www.gofundme.com/f/john-nova-lomaxs-road-to-recovery

Thanks for both of those posts.

Nova Lomax has done some great writing about Houston area zydeco and old school r’n’b over the years.

Tommy McLain was on JAMES CORDEN last night...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26qB_zTRzKs

oh nice. A good album.

http://bayoutechedispatches.blogspot.com/2022/05/state-of-genre-swamp-pop-in-21st-century.html

Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas and Sean Ardoin are both nominated for Best Regional Roots Music Album n Grammys

https://www.nola.com/gambit/music/with-new-solo-music-louis-michot-plays-weekly-residency-at-maple-leaf-in-january/article_90b685ca-82fb-11ed-98a9-5fdea198a1ac.html

Louis Michot from Lost Bayou Ramblers has a solo album in the works with some experimental aspects ( mixing in Alan Lomax items) and a series of shows in New Orleans with some collaborations. Looks cool to me

https://wherewegotozydeco.com/

This site lists upcoming live zydeco and Cajun shows in DC, Md, Va , PA, NY & sometimes New England states

Steve Riley is giving zoom Cajun accordion lessons. He and a band are also touring the northeast

From his Dad's Go-Fund Me for him: John Nova Lomax is in his last days with liver and kidney failure, an infection, bleeding ulcers and lesser issues, all of which came to a head today (Monday 5.8)

He wrote some great articles about Houston zydeco

Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz died a few days ago as well. Been listening to some of Clifton Chenier's classic records from his label.

I listened to some Clifton Chenier on YouTube as I couldn’t find his Black Snake Arhoolie album on Spotify, and I only own a few Arhoolie releases on vinyl.

FWIW, I always thought this was a solid "best of" that Strachwitz put together. This and Bayou Blues (from Specialty) make a pretty great intro to Chenier.

https://www.discogs.com/master/730702-Clifton-Chenier-60-Minutes-With-The-King-Of-Zydeco

Thanks. Will check those out. I am still interested in some current zydeco too-

I wish some of these 2023 Houston zydeco bands would come to the east coast. I haven't researched what they have available for purchase or stream yet.

Looking for a great time in Houston? The upcoming Houston Zydeco Fest will be fun! Dancing, Food and more! See You There! 💥 #Houstontx @Eventbrite #EmancipationPark @epconservancy pic.twitter.com/hGeVheyfWB

— LaVerne St.Mary NMLS #113731 Equal Housing Lender (@MortgageLaVerne) April 28, 2023

Lawrence "Black" Ardoin, patriarch of family of Creole and zydeco music has died. He played music & was son of Creole music legend Bois Sec Ardoin, & the father of musicians Sean Ardoin, Chris Ardoin and uncle to Ernest Ardoin and Gus Ardoin

https://www.katc.com/news/around-acadiana/lawrence-black-ardoin-creole-music-patriarch-has-died

Lawrence Black Ardoin died in December 2022.

RIP writer John Nova Lomax at 53 who wrote about Houston , Texas culture including music like zydeco, hiphop and more

"Whether covering crime or culture, streets or songs, Lomax overturned all stones."

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/article/john-nova-lomax-writer-houston-texas-dies-18088579.php?utm_source=marketing&utm_medium=copy-url-link&utm_campaign=article-share&hash=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaG91c3RvbmNocm9uaWNsZS5jb20vbGlmZXN0eWxlL2FydGljbGUvam9obi1ub3ZhLWxvbWF4LXdyaXRlci1ob3VzdG9uLXRleGFzLWRpZXMtMTgwODg1NzkucGhw&time=MTY4NDc4ODIwOTczNw==&rid=YzVkMmE5M2QtNGU1Yy00ZmI4LWI0YzEtMjBjMjFjZGUyMTNm&sharecount=MQ==

Every Grammy Awards nominee for best Regional Roots Album is from Louisiana:

New Beginnings
Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. & The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band

Live At The 2023 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers

Live: Orpheum Theater Nola
Lost Bayou Ramblers & Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

Made In New Orleans
New Breed Brass Band

Too Much To Hold
New Orleans Nightcrawlers

Live At The Maple Leaf
The Rumble Featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/11/16/travel/things-to-do-cajun-country-acadiana.html

No mention of zydeco club El-Sido's

RIP Jo-El Sonnier Louisiana Cajun and country musician from what sounds like a heart attack

https://kpel965.com/louisiana-cajun-country-music-artist-jo-el-sonnier-dead/