Cajun and zydeco music is not just for old people

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/