I’ve got a few but then again too few to mention.
I’d like to get a good Clifton Chenier compilation. There are heaps but quite a lot are from his RnB phase. Is their a definitive set?
Ditto a multiple artist compilation. Any recommendations?
Zydeco albums – recommendations
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The tribute album is a good start, the one featuring the Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, Taj Mahal and numerous others. The zydeco authenticity is kept up by a bevy of the current crop of Louisiana accordionists and rubboarders, often relatives and descendants of Chenier, or from his band.
The early Arhoolie discs are probably the best, if notoriously patchy, given his songwritinfg was generally of the beg, steal or borrow school, “hiding” his sources with a squeeze of accordion. I have a decent enough Rhino compilation, King of Zydeco.
Rockin’ Dopsie was always the pretender to Chenier’s throne. I was lucky enough to see he and his Cajun Twisters at London’s The Venue, in about 1979, and it was great show. The album I would commend is Zy-de-Blue.
There seems some blurring, these days, between the previously racial differences that defined zydeco (black) and Cajun (white), so newer music picks and mixes. But if you want old school squeezebox r’n’b shouters, there are your Rockin’ Sidney’s, Terence Simien, Boozoo Chavis and Queen Ida. A sampler with songs from each is likely more reliable than volumes of each. I am fond of Buckwheat Zydeco, too, but he can get a bit too crossover; his Five Card Stud is good, but shows he and famous guests dabble in all sorts.
I’m realising I haven’t really helped with a compilation name, have I? Woops. Try “Zydeco Champs”. Or, for a more historical dive, “15 Louisiana Zydeco Classics”.
That’s great Retro. Thanks.
Thought the Steve Earle track on the recent tribute album was very good. Lucinda’s Release Me – not so much.
Cajun, according to Ace Records, but the Another Saturday Night compilation is, er, Ace.
Tribute To The King of Zydeco is indeed a mighty fine record….
There are two or three ‘Rough Guide to…’ compilations you can usually pick up cheap that span a good range of artists, though two of them split their contents between what they consider ‘Cajun’ and what they consider ‘Zydeco’ (as in beans). I’d start there if you just want a well curated cross-section.
I only have a few vinyl records in this neck of the Louisiana woods. I have Buckwheat Zydeco’s 1987 album on Island called ‘On A Night Like This’ (yes, there’s a Dylan cover on there, which will amuse you) and that’s a great little album to put on when you feel like jiggling a little. I also have Rockin’ Dopsie and The Twister’s album on Sonet called ‘Doin’ The Zydeco’ from 1976. This one is less commercially sophisticated than the Island Buckwheat LP over ten years later, and possibly a better representation of what might be considered the golden years of zydeco.
Merci beaucoup Reynard