Cajun and zydeco music is not just for old people

Yes, I realize I'm guilty of conflating two distinct styles. So recommend me one of each, then, fair play.

You can't go wrong with any discs from Rhino's "Alligator Stomp" series. Start with Vol. 1.
http://s.ecrater.com/stores/67628/508d8fc58e9b8_67628n.jpg

As a marketing technique and from folks who don't know the difference Cajun and zydeco are often used interchangeably.

I still need to think of an answer as I just have mostly individual releases from artists and not compilations

There's a nice reissue of Amade Ardoin that complicates the genre issue. He is a Creole who was making music long before zydeco became established. His sound is a bit like more what we think of as Cajun, but its different.

Arhoolie began releasing Cajun and zydeco long ago, need to see if they have any nice comps.

Did not make it to Jazzfest this year, but this Gambit writer did:

The Fais Do-Do stage hosted a Lafayette double-header with stalwart young Cajun bands Feufollet and Pine Leaf Boys moving big crowds — despite a formidable mud pit. Showing off just how far Cajun music traditions can be pushed, Feufollet struck up an eerie uptempo take on Brian Eno's "Baby's On Fire," before cheekily asking the crowd, "Y'all ready for some Hall and Oates?"

Roots revival

The Pine Leaf Boys kicked the crowd into gear with a couple of mid-set covers, including a raucous "Great Balls of Fire" and a gorgeous, reverential Cajun tribute to George Jones with his "A Picture of Me (Without You)." The band continued its memorial with a tribute to Les Blank, the documentarian who helped revive interest in Cajun culture with a series of films in the 1970s. The band also caved to an audience request of an early track, "Pine Grove Blues."

Ramble on

"Who's beastin' it today?" shouted Lost Bayou Ramblers singer Louis Michot before the band launched into "The Bathtub," its cut from the Beasts of the Southern Wild soundtrack. The band ripped through songs from old and new albums, including the vinyl single "Bastille" that featured Gordon Gano and got a remix by GIVERS. The band finished its set by dedicating its French version of The Who's "My Generation" to a 30-year-veteran Jazz Fest stage member.

http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/thrills-and-chills/Content?oid=2197009

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/nyregion/at-connollys-in-the-theater-district-les-bon-temps-rouler.html?ref=music&_r=0

Zydeco, Creole and Cajun dancing in NYC

175 people at Connolly's in NYC at $20 some buck a person, means zydeco in NYC is not dead yet. Those same touring acts come to DC too. Alas, the Houston area ones I wanna see never come East.

Michael Arnone's Crawfish Festival is next weekend in New Jersey. June 1 & 2

It offers Cajun and zydeco plus New Orleans acts and jambands

http://www.crawfishfest.com/schedule.htm

Lots of my east coast friends attend Crawfish Fest every year. I've never been, and don't know if that lineup is worth a cross-country trek for me.

I love Feufollet, and the idea of them covering Eno.

I know what you mean. The dancehall stage at that fest is geared to the hardcore dancers who don't mind dancing to the same group multiple times over several days. I love Rosie Ledet's zydeco, but she plays my way enough that I won't travel to see her.

I've never seen Wayne Singleton, or Cajun acts Jesse Lege; and Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys.

Funny-ish story: drummer and I were waiting for our guitar player at practice Saturday and listening to Rajun' Cajun online radio from Larose, LA. (We play rockabilly/surf, not cajun/zyedco, we were just diggin' the music.) He shows up all agitated from getting stuck in traffic, and the chanky-chank is visually upsetting him as he searches for the volume control. "Gah, fuckin' circus music!"

I'm listening now, in fact. This is a great discovery:

http://www.klrzfm.com/

A brownbag talk with John Sharp
Featuring
John Sharp

I forgot to mention that in this history of Louisiana dancehalls presentation at the EMP conference in New Orleans in April, Sharp suggested that there are less rural dancehalls in Louisiana now of course; and more restaurants though that feature food and music. He also had photos of way old-school Cajun joints where guys would have to pay to get a ticket that would be stapled to their collar before they could ask a girl to dance and head onto the dancefloor. When not dancing they had to stay in a standing room narrow little bullpen. There were some photos of old Creole places as well.

I missed their DC area appearance yesterday, but folks who went are raving about Rusty Metoyer and Zydeco Krush, a young Louisiana Creole zydeco band

http://www.rustymetoyer.com/

I also missed the recent appearance of the Lost Bayou Ramblers, a great raucus young Cajun band who I have seen and danced to in New Orleans and San Francisco. See my May 2013 posting above

http://www.paulasher.com/cajunuk/

website for Cajun and zydeco in the UK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzcOv3EOwPo

Whiskey River Jitterbug dancing adapted by zydeco dancers

http://www.cajunfrenchmusic.org/lecajun.html

Cajun (and Creole?) award nominations. Winners have not been posted yet

x-post--that video is of folks dancing to speedy Steve Riley Cajun, but I read elsewhere that such arm movements have been adapted by zydeco dancers as well

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzev7054/dancingbythebayoufalldancefestival/

Nice bill next weekend in the D.C. burbs with bands led by Rusty Metoyer, Step Rideau and Jesse Lege

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2013/10/04/shutdown-wont-put-a-damper-on-step-rideaus-zydeco-party-this-weekend/

My interview with H-town's Step Rideau

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrjKbv0-UF8

WPFW radio keeps playing 2 years later this zydeco/southern soul song "Ride it like a Cowboy (like a rodeo/back that thing up)"
by Kenne Wayne (spelling?) that has inspired a line dance

Great song

I had posted this on the chitlin circuit southern soul thread

http://www.npr.org/2013/11/03/240744661/accordions-beer-and-god-zydeco-in-gran-texas?utm_content=socialflow&utm_campaign=nprfacebook&utm_source=npr&utm_medium=facebook

I heard a great zydeco meets southern soul meets autotuned vocal song on the radio Saturday... "Zydeco swag" maybe? Not sure of the title

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/its-a-new-day-for-rachel/134360

Wanna help zydeco musician Curley Taylor's wife beat cancer

And hope for the best re Cajun guitarist from the Basin Brothers band

Al Berard had a brain hemorrhage early this morning. Details are not known at this time.

Not happy Mardi Gras news alas

I think Al's health took a turn for the worst according to an Acadiana google group

RIP Al

http://www.theadvertiser.com/viewart/20140226/ACADIANA04/302260012/Musicians-friends-recall-Al-Berard

Only 53 years old

Some of the same zydeco acts that always come to my area, are returning around Mardi Gras; I wish there was a way to get the hip-hop inflected Houston zydeco acts that rarely tour to come up here (but unless I win the lottery and book 'em myself that likely won't happen). Need to go visit Houston

Not familiar at all with zydeco. Any songs you'd recommend for the 'younger', 'hip' crowd? I want to see if I can throw some of these at my next party.

Yes. There are zydeco cuts that add autotuned r'n'b vocals and synths to the traditional accordion, rubboard and rhythm section sound that should work.

Leon Chavis
These days, Leon and artists like Chris Ardoin, Travis Matte and others continue the tradition of innovation by incorporating elements of hip-hop and contemporary R&B, like Autotune, sampling and drum machines, while keeping the signature rubboard and accordion sounds. Keith Frank had a regional hit last year with a remix of his song “Haterz,” which featured Baton Rouge rapper Lil Boosie; Chavis and pretty much an entire generation of zydeco young bloods guest on R&B singer Cupid’s zydeco hit “Do It With Your Boots On.”

http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2012/11/new-school_zydeco_from_leon_ch.html

I found mention of more new sounding zydeco tracks on Big Daddy Nice's Southern Soul r'n'b blog. Will post 'em here later today, Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras....

x-post re death of youngish guitarist Al Berard

'http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/698055/emal/847040'

Here is the copy of the link to the campaign fund we have set up for anyone who wishes to contribute to Al's guitar project CD. This could be a great gesture in lieu or in addition to flowers for the service Saturday.
We lost an amazing man, father, husband, musician, cultural ambassador and beautiful spirit in the passing of Al Berard. Days before he passed, he finished a lifelong dream of recording a guitar album of his original music. Please help fund the production and distribution costs to help his dream come to life. Many thanks.

Contributors will get a copy of his album -- a digital download, an actual CD, or both.

Even if you're unable to contribute, please share this campaign with others. And even more true to Al's amazing spirit, continue to share the LOVE.

x-post -from Daddy B. Nice's soul blog-

Tyree Neal - "She Gone Make Me Fall In Love"

Avail Hollywood-Zydeco shuffle and "Club in da Woods"

It is with great sadness we note the passing of Kevin Carrier. In his prime he was one of the best damn bass players in all of Zydeco.

Kevin Wayne Carrier Age 40

Kevin Carrier died Sunday, April 6 from complications of Congestive Heart Failure at Opelousas General Health System.

Was a member of Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe, and was Chubby Carrier's brother I think

Sun. 4-27- Koray Broussard & Zydeco Unit from the bayou at Gypsy Sally’s in W. DC. (funky modern zydeco with some hiphop accents it appears)

Koray Broussard comes from a strong heritage of Zydeco greats—grandson of Delton Broussard and nephew of the legendary Jeffery Broussard

I bet he's doing some other east coast gigs too

Missed the DC gig, plus the various Cajun & Zydeco bands playing last weekend in Louisiana festivals...

http://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Zydeco-Mexican-Connection-hits-all-the-right-notes-5460769.php

Zydeco-Mexican Connection hits all the right notes
Jesse Hamlin
Eugene Rodriguez: Connecting zydeco with the traditional music of Mexico hits all the right notes
Eugene Rodriguez was playing a gig last year in Pescadero with Los Cenzontles, the Mexican American roots band from the vital San Pablo cultural center of the same name, when the sound man told him he had to meet another rocking musician from the Richmond area, the zydeco accordionist Andre Thierry. The name vaguely rang a bell, but Rodriguez didn't know Thierry's music or much about Richmond's Louisiana Creole community and its rich music and dance tradition.

He got up to speed after checking out Thierry - major instrumental chops, soulful singing voice - and connecting with him online. Rodriguez invited the accordionist to jam with Los Cenzontles and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, a longtime Los Cenzontles collaborator who knew that Queen Ida had been part of a lively zydeco scene in Richmond and who was eager to come play with this young Creole dude. Hidalgo and the band were bowled over by Thierry, with whom they're creating a new multimedia project called the Zydeco-Mexican Connection.

British pop singer Lily Allen listens to Louisiana swamp pop (Wish I could get Lil' Band of Gold to play my wedding. They're a great band. Robert Plant likes 'em too):

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/11/arts/music/lily-allen-at-home-in-england.html?ref=music

My husband is a big fan of the whole kind of Louisiana swamp pop scene, so we listened to a lot of Cajun stuff. We actually flew a band called the Lil’ Band o’ Gold over for our wedding, and they played here. There’s another guy called Tommy McLain, who did this song called “Before I Grow Too Old,” and that was our first dance.

Lil' Band of Gold are an awesome supergroup of sorts with Steve Riley and others

i have a question... does zydeco still have a lot of popular currency in louisiana/texas? i mean, i know that lots of roots-music heads etc. listen to it, but is it still played in bars and stuff? and what's the usual age of the audience?

Zydeco does still have popular currency in Southern Louisiana and in the Houston region of Texas among Afro-Creole raised residents. It's a passed down family genre that also generates youtube videos of folks dancing to hiphop-inflected, autotuned vocal zydeco songs (upthread I mention and link to some). I shamefully must admit to not having been to those portions of Louisiana and Texas myself, but heard discussions of this at last year's EMP Pop Conference in New Orleans, and I've read and heard and watched stuff myself online and in print (plus seen young zydeco bands on tour and in New Orleans). I think the audience down there may be aging a bit, but there are still young folks into it

http://www.zydecoevents.com/texaszydecoevents.html

Check out the flyers and listings

The Revelers (newish group that contains some folks from the Red Stick Ramblers and the Pine Leaf Boys) play some swamp-pop (yes!)

The Revelers add 1950s and ’60s Louisiana rock ’n’ roll and New Orleans R&B-derived swamp pop to their recordings and set lists. Currently recording the second Revelers album in Lafayette (for release next winter), the band will issue “The History of Swamp Pop, Vol. 1,” in 7-inch vinyl and digital formats in July.

http://theadvocate.com/utility/homepagestories/9084760-129/swamp-pop-supergroup-the-revelers

http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/06/17/new-zydeco-project-heading-philly-beyond/10704687/

excerpt:

Philadelphia public radio station WXPN announced Tuesday that "Zydeco Crossroads" will present the music's past and present through a 15-month series of concerts, educational events and a new documentary film by producer Robert Mugge.

Supported by a grant from the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, "Zydeco Crossroads" is a multimedia project that includes a website with field recordings, music streams, performance footage and original contributions from authors and scholars Nick Spitzer, Ben Sandmel and others.