Swap a CD: 15 Recently Posted CDs

Le Hoogie Boogie Louisiana French Music for Children - Michael Doucet w/ Family and Friends

Michael Doucet w/ Family and Friends — 2009-11-18T11:31:49-05:00

Ever wondered how to sing "The Hokey Pokey" in French? If not, maybe your kids have, and this disc is for them anyway. That's not all they'll learn, either: "L'Arc en Ciel" will help them with their colors, and "A, B, C et 1, 2, 3" will have them counting and chanting the alphabet with a French Lousiana twang before you know it. There are several songs about alligators, of course, as well as a charming ode to lost love entitled "Les Maringouins Ont Tout Mange Ma Belle" ("The Mosquitoes Ate My Sweetheart All Up"). The music itself is a spicey stew of Cajun fiddle tunes and folksong melodies, all of which are guaranteed to have you and your kids waltzing and stomping furiously around the room. Doucet's singing voice, as always, is less than inspiring, but c'mon, it's a kid's record. Very highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide

Snake Bite Love - Zachary Richard

Zachary Richard — 2009-11-18T11:29:11-05:00

This CD stands up as an energetic tour de force. It carries a high head easily with some of the best song writing and singing to come out of the Louisiana scene that has included Sonny Landreth's South of I-10, and Richard's own Women in the Room. For this record he has culled some of the best people from the southern Louisiana music scene (Brian Stoltz, Doctor John, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Daryl Johnson to name a few) to take part in this fine blending of zydeco, Cajun, rock, and country. We are the lucky recipients that have the pleasure of enjoying the ambiance and excitement of the dance hall in the comfort of our living rooms. The only bother with this CD is that you can't sit and listen to it, you are compelled to get up and do. Try and sit and contemplate while "Dancing at Double D's" is spinning. Bet you can't! (I am having trouble sitting at the keyboard to finish this). Listen to the heartfelt vocals and the exposed emotions of "Cote Blanche Bay" or "Sunset on Louisianne," feel the love and hurt from his voice come coursing through your body. ~ Bob Gottlieb, All Music Guide

Women in the Room - Zachary Richard

Zachary Richard — 2009-11-18T11:28:43-05:00

Zach's writing comes together on this release with his most powerful songs to date. "No French, No More" is a sad tale about how teachers denied the Cajun people the use of their language. "Who Stole My Monkey" is a knock-you-out fun song. A very diverse release. Highly recommended. ~ Chip Renner, All Music Guide

The Best Of Wayne Toups - Wayne Toups

Wayne Toups — 2009-11-15T15:05:54-05:00

Ultimate Zydeco - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-10T19:44:54-05:00

This collection has a wide variety of songs from a far-ranging and eclectic group of artists. No collection can please everyone, and this one has some gaps in it because not all zydeco performers have recorded on the Mardi Gras label, however, there is something here for pretty much everyone. For the well-seasoned zydeco traveler there are some lesser-known cuts from artists who aren't frequently heard, and for the newcomer this is a rich treasure trove. It includes traditional artists such as Fernest Arceneaux and some of the modern artists who pushed the zydeco envelope, exposing it to more diverse influences -- artists such as Beau Jocques & the Zydeco Hi-Rollers. This is also a great introduction to Mardi Gras Records and their ever-expanding zydeco library. It contains more than an hour of music, distributed between 17 cuts and evenly interspersed between traditional and the more modern styles. The cuts are all well-produced and the sound quality is excellent. In addition there are two cuts by the Zydeco All-Stars, a non-touring entity who were put together in the studio from some of the most road-tested zydeco musicians still playing. They include legend-to-be Paul "Lil Buck" Sinegal, who has a habit of handing out one scorching guitar solo after another, and Alonzo Johnson, Jr. laying down a steady bass beat. This is one of the best zydeco collections to be had. ~ Bob Gottlieb, All Music Guide

The Best of Louisiana Music Rounder - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-03T19:03:20-05:00

Louisiana music has been one of Rounder's strong points in the 1980s and 1990s -- not only zydeco and cajun music, but also soul, blues, jazz, and rock. In 1993, the Boston-area label opened its own vaults to assemble The Best of Louisiana Music, which isn't essential, but is enjoyable on the whole. Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas' "Your Mama Don't Know" and Buckwheat Zydeco's "Hot Tamale Baby" are fine examples of exuberant zydeco party music, while Aaron Neville's "Mojo Hannah," the Meters' "Look-Ka Py Py," and Irma Thomas' "I Never Fool Nobody But Me" remind listeners that Louisiana was never lacking when it came to talented soulsters. On the dixieland tip, "If You're a Viper" finds the Rebirth Brass Band reviving a 1930s tune that paid tribute to marijuana smokers. ("Viper" was 1930s African-American slang for those who were subsequently called "potheads.") This CD is far from the last word on Louisiana music, but it does let listeners know how much exciting music they're likely to hear during Mardi Gras. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Bayou Cadillac - Beausoleil

Beausoleil — 2009-10-29T21:50:29-05:00

Those who define everything in strict, unflexible color terms consider all black South Louisiana sounds zydeco and all white sounds from that region Cajun. However, Beausoleil, an obviously white group, open this release with a signature zydeco tune, Clarence Garlow's "Bon Temps Roulet." Quite simply, they're unaware of this "rule," violating it repeatedly. They included entertaining remakes of "Bo Diddley" and "Iko Iko" in the title medley and also covered Big Joe Williams' "Baby Don't Go," doing them just as effectively as "Couchon de Lait" and "Flammes D'Enfer." While they sometimes ventured a bit afield, as with the concluding "Island Zydeco," much of Beausoleil's fare artfully crossed genres and successfully combined divergent influences and material. This disc should satisfy audiences regardless of idiomatic preference. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

Too Much Fun - C.J. Chenier

C.J. Chenier — 2009-10-26T16:44:41-05:00

From the title of this CD, the listener can guess where zydeco artist C.J. Chenier is going with this one. Recorded in 1995, Too Much Fun features a big sound filled with multiple electric guitars, saxophones, trumpet, and percussion instruments, along with the more traditional accordion and rub boards that distinguish the genre of zydeco. C.J. Chenier contributes to the party spirit by playing the accordion, alto saxophone, and providing vocals on the CD. The rest of the Red Hot Louisiana Band gears up for an album of party music meant for dancing. It would be unthinkable in the zydeco tradition to have too much fun without dancing being on the agenda, so dance tunes rule the record. Especially hot dance tunes include "Zydeco Cha Cha," "Louisiana Two Step," "Squeaky Wheel," and "Give Me Some of That," along with the title cut. There is a humorous and admiring nod to the ladies in "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)," as well as some gritty blues on "Louisiana Down Home Blues" and "Lost in the Shuffle." The CD goes out with one last lively dance number, "Louisiana Two-Step," so that no one can ever say that C.J. Chenier kept the dancers from having too much fun. ~ Rose of Sharon Witmer, All Music Guide

Zydecos Greatest Hits - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-10-26T14:29:38-05:00

Cajun Zydeco Festival - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-10-24T07:07:34-05:00

Bayou Blues - Clifton Chenier

Clifton Chenier — 2009-10-22T20:00:35-05:00

Bayou Blues compiles a selection of 12 tracks Clifton Chenier cut for Specialty Records in 1955, including the original versions of "Boppin' the Rock," "Eh, Petite Fille," "I'm On My Way" and "Zodico Stomp." It may not be a definitive retrospective, but it's an entertaining and necessary sampler of Chenier at the beginning of his career. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide

Where Theres Smoke Theres Fire - Buckwheat Zydeco

Buckwheat Zydeco — 2009-10-04T12:53:10-05:00

A great album of zydeco party anthems (and others) from Buckwheat Zydeco, the heir apparent in zydeco after the death of Clifton Chenier. This album features a number of Buckwheat's (Stanley Dural's) compositions, along with covers of a few standards from other genres, most notably "Route 66," Hank Williams' "Hey Good Lookin," and the Stones' "Beast of Burden." Aside from the more heartfelt "Beast of Burden," the album is generally packed with danceable groove-laden zydeco, complete with horn arrangements and a blasting accordion solo. This is superior in many ways to the music of Chenier (though, of course, he's a worthy listen as well), due to its generally happier mood and quicker, more emphasized beats and basslines. One last noteworthy item on the album: to finish off the set, Dural shows off some versatility by sitting at the piano and punching out one of the most complex blues solo piano standards in existence with "It's Getting Late." A must have for any zydeco fan, and a should have for anyone with a pulse. ~ Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide

L Echo - BeauSoleil

BeauSoleil — 2009-09-21T10:58:21-05:00

The cajun band BeauSoleil is living proof that just because you play within the tradition, that doesn't mean you have to cleave to every old-time performance practice. This album is dedicated to past masters of the cajun art, but it also features atypical cajun instruments like the banjo, vibraphone, and the steel guitar. In addition the repertoire and arrangements push the boundaries, too. The result is that tasty confection one could call "art folk." Most of the songs are standouts, so it's hard to pick examples, but one is "Lizette La Douce," which is an old blues number from the '20s. It sounds like a cross between early jazz and Django Reinhardt, featuring banjo, rhythm guitar, and the cloppity-clop style of '20s drumming. BeauSoleil leader Michael Doucet wisely resisted the temptation to transform it into a Cajunized fox-trot. Another really fun tune is "La Cravatte a Ziggy Zag," which is a rollicking children's two-step with tongue-twisting lyrics about the best way to dress. The album crosses the line between thoughtful and fun and should not be missed. Its only fault is that the liner notes do not include the lyrics in either French or English. ~ Kurt Keefner, All Music Guide

Bayou Cadillac - Beausoleil

Beausoleil — 2009-09-18T17:25:27-05:00

Bayou Blues - Clifton Chenier

Clifton Chenier — 2009-09-17T20:37:19-05:00