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VARIOUS ARTISTS
Music From The Zydeco Kingdom (Rounder)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
Michael Tisserand, author of the definitive "The Kingdom Of Zydeco," faced a particularly difficult task when he set out to compile a recording to complement his book. Tough editing choices were called for in order to provide a historical overview of the 70-year history of recorded Zydeco, and most of the selections here are drawn from the last three decades of that history. He goes all the way back to 1929, though, for his opener--the Amede Ardoin classic "Two Step de Eunice." He also found it neccessary to leave out many notable players, but he did find room for many of the best and best-known, including Clifton Cheneir, Queen Ida, Boozoo Chavis, Buckwheat Zydeco, and John Delafose and his legendary Eunice Playboys.
It's to Tisserand's credit that he concentrated on lesser-known cuts from the catalogs of so many great players. There are plenty of better-known tracks than the nineteen here, and their inclusion might have guaranteed easier sales for the disc. Most of those better-known tracks, though, are widely available elsewhere, and many of these are almost--if not actually--impossible to come by outside the pricey collectors market. Even the most fervent afficionado is going to find a new and valuable performance among these cuts.
He also made room for some of the best dance cuts he could find, making this an album as appropriate for a party as for study. It's a great collection. It may be the only Zydeco album you'll ever need, but after you hear it, it sure won't be the only one you'll ever want.
Track List:
Amede Ardoin - Two Step de Eunice (Eunice Two Step) * Zydeco Force - Broken Hearted * John Delafose & the Eunice Playboys - Tu m'as fait brailler (You Made Me Cry) * Ambrose Sam - Oh Yes, I'm Going Away * Clifton Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band - Grand Prix (What A Price) * Keith Frank - Bernadette c'est ma 'tit Creole * Boozoo Chavis & the Magic Sounds - Grand Mary's Two Step * Queen Ida w/ Al Rapone & the Bon Temps Zydeco Band - La Femme de Doight * Little Latour's Sulphur Playboys - C-Key Blues * C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band - Louisiana Down Home Blues * Les Freres Carrieres - Zydeco a Carriere * Rockin' Dopsie & the Cajun Twisters - Doopsie's Cajun Stomp * Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas - Everything On The Hog * Buckwheat Zydeco - Hot Tamale Baby * Clifton Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band - Cher Catin * Rosie Ledet - I'm Gonna Take Care Of Your Dog * Beau Jocque & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers - Give Him Cornbread * Canray Fontenot & Bois Sec Ardoin - Hack a 'tit Moreau (Bonsoir, Moreau) * Chris Ardoin & Double Clutchin' - Ardoin Two Step
© 2000 - Shaun Dale