CLIFTON CHENIER
The Best of Clifton Chenier
The King of Zydeco and Louisiana Blues (Arhoolie)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Arhoolie's "Best of" collection of Clifton Chenier's work features 17 songs and a radio interview between the King of Zydeco and Arhoolie founder/songcatcher Chris Strackwitz. This set ranges toward blues and tilts away from more traditional Zydeco, and for blues fans like me, that's just fine. While the CD includes Chenier's signature Zydeco accordion on his better-known songs like "Bon Ton Roulet," "Ay, Ai, Ai" and "Zydeco Sont Pas Sale," Clifton show how he could sing the blues on "Ain't No Need of Crying" and "Brown Skin Woman." Taken together, the songs and the 15-minute interview with producer Strackwitz are a great introduction to one of the true giants of Cajun music. If you're new to Clifton Chenier, I'd pick up this collection, and head straight for Live at Grant Street, an Arhoolie release that was one of my "Top Fives" from 2000 which captured Clifton Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band live at the Grant Street Dance Hall in the Zydeco King's hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana.

Track List:

Je Me Reveiller Le Matin (I Woke Up This Morning) * I'm Coming Home (To See My Mother) * Ay Ai Ai * Brown Skin Woman (Who Can Your Good Man Be) * Hot Rod * It's Hard * All Your Love * Party Down (At the Blue Angel Club) * Why Did You Go Last Night * Ma Mama Ma Dit (My Mama Told Me) * Zydeco Cha Cha * Bon Ton Roulet * Black Gal * Johnny Can't Dance * I'm on the Wonder * Zydeco Sont Pas Sale (Snap Beans Without Salt) * Ain't No Need of Crying (Everyday is the Same/Louisiana Blues) * Interview with Chris Strackwitz

© 2003 - Eric Steiner