Since 1993 Putumayo World Music has been functioning as an international goodwill ambassador, introducing listeners to musical genres from around the world like a modern-day Alan Lomax. The region of the United States that has received the most coverage by them is the state of Louisiana, which has a number of great musical traditions.
In 2000, they released Zydeco. Jude Taylor, who appears with His Burning Flames on the instrumental “Burin’ Flames Special,” describes zydeco music that originated from the French-speaking Creoles as good as anyone when he says it’s “a little jazz, a little blues, a little rock ‘n’ roll, Cajun, all mixed up.” It’s peppy and upbeat, and for those not from the area, the sounds are both unique and familiar. It features the accordion and the rubboard or frottoir.
This album is a compilation of 13 tracks by legends and torchbearers, which is exemplified by current stars Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band as they cover “Co Fa,” a song recorded in 1929 by the first Creole star Amede Ardoin. Frank updates the sound by giving it a reggae beat.
The album is anchored by a four-song block by giants of the genre. The former king, Clifton Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band deliver “Calinda” a wonderful toe-tapper that he sings in Creole French. Blues guitarist Elvin Bishop joins him for the track from 1973. Chenier left an indelible mark on zydeco by designing the first vest rubboard.
Queen Ida, the first female to lead a zydeco band and the first zydeco artist to win a Grammy under Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording, covers the Fats Domino hit “My Girl Josephine.” She changes the lyrics to tell a slightly different story. Buckwheat Zydeco, the first zydeco to sign with a major label, used to play organ in Chenier’s band. Here, he shows the accordion’s versatility by giving the blues treatment to Chenier’s “I’m on the Wonder.” A contemporary of Chenier, Boozoo Chavis & the Majic Sounds play “Lula Lula Don’t You Go To Bingo,” a funny warning about losing “your money” and “your honey.”
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