Cajun Music

Description:

Description:

Description:

"Louisiana Blues & Zydeco" (02/08/2005) Cajun Chenier, Clifton, ArhooliePersonnel: Clifton Chenier (vocals, accordion); Cleveland Keyes, Felix Benoit (guitar); Elmore Nixon (piano); Fulton Antoine, Joe Morris (bass); Bob Murphy, Madison Guidry, Robert St. Judy (drums); Cleveland Chenier (rubboard). Principally recorded in Houston, Texas in 1965. Re-mixed for the first time in Stereo!!! Personnel: Clifton Chenier (vocals, harmonica, accordion); Cleveland Keyes (guitar); Elmore Nixon (piano); Fulton Antoine (bass guitar); Robert St. Judy, Madison Guidry (drums); Cleveland Chenier (rub-board). Recording information: Gold Star Studio, Houston, Texas (05/11/1965). These dozen and a half songs span the couple years on either side of Chenier's big introduction into the blues world at the 1966 Berkeley Blues Festival in California. Immediately embraced by this audience, the Bay area label Arhoolie began recording him regularly. What's reassuring is how the intense and honest power of his Texas recordings was maintained in these new environs. Working with his core band (most notably his brother Cleveland Chenier on rub-board), the were a well-seasoned unit made strong from playing endless dances throughout the Bayou region. The album's title is a succinct bit of truth in advertising--it is indeed a winning set of blues and zydeco. Besides being a wonder on the accordion, Chenier possess a voice equally at ease with bluesy balladry and boastful strutting.

Description:

"Chasing the Devil" (12/02/1997) Cajun Rigney, Tom, Parhelion

Description:

"Silver Jubilee: The Best of Zachary Richard" (01/18/2000) Cajun Richard, Zachary, Rhino Records (USA)Personnel includes: Zachary Richard (vocals, acoustic guitar, French dulcimer, harmonica, Acadian accordion, piano); Kenneth Richard (vocals, mandolin); Big Steve Broussard (acoustic, electric & slide guitars); Sonny Landreth (acoustic & electric guitars, dobro); Bessyl Duhon, Michael Doucet (fiddle); Bonnie Guidry (violin). Producers include: Pierre Lattes, Dominique Blanc-Francard, Jim Scott, Bill Wray, Oliver Bloch-Laine. Compilation Producer: Thane Tierney. Includes liner notes by Thane Tierney, Todd Mouton & Zachary Richard. Digitally remastered by Andrew Garver & Bill Inglot (1999, A&M Mastering). A key figure in raising the profile of Cajun music and culture, Zachary Richard has been performing and recording since the early 1970s, and represents not only the best of traditional Acadien music, but also its suitability for blending with other styles. SILVER JUBILEE is Rhino's 19-track summation of Richard's achievements between 1973 and 1998, and as such stands as not only a fine sampler of the artist's music, but an excellent introduction for the Cajun neophyte. Naturally, there are some old-school Cajun numbers, with their penchant for two-step rhythms and accordion-heavy lines, but Richard's arrangements of these tunes give them a sprightly new life. Of particular interest, too, is Richard's feel for R&B and blues, especially by way of the New Orleans groove tradition, and the inclusion of this material (some of it penned by Richard himself) gives a nice balance to the more conventional sounds of rural Louisiana. With its ample doses of regional pride, lyricism, hard boogie, and general good times, SILVER JUBILEE is a must for Cajun and zydeco fans, and should appeal to anyone interested in traditional Louisiana fare.

Description:

Description:

"Pure Swamp Pop Gold Vol. 1" (n/a) Cajun Various Artists, Gonzales Music

Description:

Description:

"Cajunization" (03/16/1999) Cajun Beausoleil, Rhino Records (USA)Beausoleil: Michael Doucet (vocals, fiddle); Al Tharp (tenor guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass, background vocals); David Doucet (guitar, background vocals); Jimmy Breaux (accordion); Tom Alesi (drums); Billy Ware (percussion). Additional personnel includes: Gerry McGee (electric guitar); Sonny Landreth (slide guitar); Jerry Douglas (Hawaiian guitar, dobro); Carl Landry (soprano, alto, tenor & baritone saxophones); Danny DeVillier (vibraphone, steel drums).. Recorded at Dockside Studio, Maurice, Louisiana in October & November 1998. Includes song annotations by Michael & Sharon Doucet. All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology. CAJUNIZATION was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Fiddler Michael Doucet and his group Beausoleil have always been able to keep one foot in the traditional Cajun style while confidently expanding the genre's borders. CAJUNIZATION is no exception. All the tunes come from the pen of Doucet, but many of them, like the opening "La Terre de mon Grandpere," sound like they could have come from a bygone era of New Orleans music. Meanwhile, "Cajunization Blues" has a minor-key blues/jazz feel and features dobro master Jerry Douglas in a very non-bluegrass format. "L'Amour Poisonne" takes the jazzy influence a step further, sporting a downright Mingus-like accordion motif. Through the course of the album, musical locales from Cuba to Hawaii are represented, but the heart of Beausoleil is still the soulful fiddle work of Doucet, and there's still enough straight-ahead Cajun music here to highlight his mastery of the mode.

Description:

"Louisiana Cajun Classics (Arhoolie)" (11/05/1996) Cajun Various Artists, Arhoolie

Description:

"Kings of Cajun" (09/16/2003) Cajun Newman, Jimmy C., Fuel 2000 RecordsIncludes liner notes by Bill Dahl.

Description:

"Evangeline Made: A Tribute to Cajun Music" (03/05/2002) Cajun Various Artists, Vanguard Records (USA)Includes liner notes by Jim Bessman and Ann Savoy. EVANGELINE MADE was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Folk Album. While zydeco music has gotten the lion's share of attention and crossover success over the years, it's quieter country cousin Cajun music has lingered in the background, despite being just as influential on other forms of American music as zydeco. EVANGELINE MADE attempts to redress the balance by gathering together legendary artists from the worlds of country, rock, pop, and folk who were inspired by Cajun music for a rousing tribute. Backed by an impressive cast of dyed-in-the-wool New Orleans Cajun musicians, these artists leave their egos at the door for an extremely soulful outing that never reeks of star turn. An honest passion is evident in Richard Thompson's fleet "Les Flammes D'Enfer," David Johansen's gritty "Ma Mule," and John Fogerty's hearty guitar and vocal work on the chestnut "Diggy Liggy Lo." A wise avoidance of overproduction and a focus on artist with genuine love for Cajun music (not to mention a surplus of talent) help make EVANGELINE MADE an unqualified success at opening up new avenues for one of America's oldest musical traditions.

Description:

"La Musique" (03/07/2006) Cajun Pine Leaf Boys, Arhoolie RecordsPine Leaf Boys: Drew Simon (vocals, guitar, drums); Wilson Savoy (vocals, fiddle, accordion); Cedric Watson (vocals, fiddle).

Description:

"A Blue Thing" (10/19/2004) Cajun Rigney, Tom, ParhelionPersonnel include: Tom Rigney (vocals, violin); Steve Parks (vocals, bass guitar); Anthony Paule, Roy Rogers , Jerry Cortez (guitar, slide guitar); Dix Bruce (acoustic guitar); Danny Caron (electric guitar); Bob Brozman (steel guitar, National guitar); Norton Buffalo (harmonica); Jim Rothermel (saxophone); Caroline Dahl (piano); John R. Burr (Hammond b-3 organ); Steve Evans (bass guitar); Kevin Hayes, Ian Hoffman, Jimmy Sanchez (drums); Lloyd Meadows (rub-board, percussion). Recording information: Rigomania Studios, Berkeley, California.

Description:

Description:

Description:

"Jackpot!" (06/07/2005) Cajun Buckwheat Zydeco, Tomorrow RecordingsPersonnel: Buckwheat Zydeco (vocals, accordion, Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards); Paul Sinegal Olivier Scoazec (guitar); Curtis Watson (trumpet); Lee Allen Zeno (bass instrument, background vocals); Gerard St. Julien (drums); Sir Reginald Master Dural (rub-board, background vocals); Catherine Russell (background vocals). Recording information: Ultrasonic Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Description:

"Pure Swamp Pop Gold" (05/07/2002) Cajun Various Artists, Gonzales

Description:

Description:

"Encore, Encore! Best of Beausoleil" (02/11/2003) Cajun Beausoleil, Rhino Records (USA)Beausoleil: Michael Doucet (vocals, guitar, mandocello, mandolin, fiddle); David Doucet (vocals, guitar); Al Tharp (banjo, fiddle, bass, background vocals); Tommy Comeaux (mandolin, bass); Jimmy Breaux (accordion); Billy Ware (vibraphone, percussion); Tommy Alesi (drums). Additional personnel includes: Mary Chapin Carpenter (vocals); Richard Thompson (electric guitar); Jerry Douglas (dobro). Producers include: Michael Doucet, Beausoleil, Carter Al Tharp, John Jennings, Charles Sawtelle. Compilation producers: Michael Doucet, Ted Myers. Recorded between 1991 & 2001. Includes liner notes by Ben Sandmel. All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Description:

"15 Louisiana Zydeco Classics" (02/25/1997) Cajun Various Artists, Arhoolie

Description:

"J'ai Ete au Bal (I Went to the Dance) Vol. 1" (12/01/1993) Cajun Various Artists, ArhoolieJ'AI ETE AU BAL (I WENT TO THE DANCE) VOL. 1 is the soundtrack to the film of the same name by Les Blank, Chris Strachwitz & Maureen Gosling. Performers include: Queen Ida, Michael Doucet, Marc Savoy and Nathan Abshire.

Description:

"The Gambler's Fiddle" (05/30/2006) Cajun Stroughmatt, Dennis, Swallow RecordsPersonnel: Dennis Stroughmatt (vocals, fiddle); Jennifer Stroughmatt (vocals, spoons, triangle); Rick Lagneaux (guitar); Blake Castille (guitars); Lee Tedrow (slide guitar); Jon Watson (banjo, mandolin).

Description:

"King of the Bayous" (n/a) Cajun Chenier, Clifton, ArhooliePersonnel inlcudes: Clifton Chenier (vocals, accordion); Antoine Victor, Raymond Monett, Cleveland Keyes (guitar); Elmore Nixon (piano); Joe Morris (bass); Robert Peter (drums); Cleveland Chenier (rubboard). Recorded in Houston, Texas between 1965 & 1970. This is an excellent set, combining an album of late-'60s and early-'70s recordings with previously unissued tracks recorded in 1965. Strongly infused with the blues, these are all, save for "Release Me," Clifton Chenier originals. His vocals and accordion wrench a wide range of emotions from both the downtrodden blues and the uplifting and joyous dance numbers on offer here. His Red Hot Louisiana Band's varying personnel meshes with its leader with subtle and sympathetic ease. Chenier's brother, Cleveland, is present for about half of the songs, playing the rubboard. The set includes his ever popular "I'm Coming Home (To See My Mother)," and the holiday nugget "It's Christmas Time." From uptempo two-steps to slow blues, there's not a false note or beat to be heard.

Description:

"The Mad Reel" (08/23/1994) Cajun Doucet, Michael, ArhooliePersonnel: Michael Doucet (vocals, various instruments); Dennis McGee (vocals, fiddle); Edward Poullard (accordion). Beausoleil: Annick Colbert (vocals, recorder); David Doucet (guitar); Tommy Comeaux (mandolin); Errol Verret (accordion); Robert Vignaud (bass); Tommy Alesi (drums); John "Billy" Ware (triangle, spoons, percussion). Producers: Chris Strachwitz, Michael Doucet, Howard Shore. Principally recorded at Master Trak Studios, Crowley, Louisiana. Includes liner notes by Chris Strachwitz and Nicholas R. Spitzer. THE MAD REEL includes the soundtrack to the film BELIZAIRE THE CAJUN.

Description:

"Too" (09/24/2002) Cajun Moe-D, Swallow RecordsRecorded at Bradley's Barn, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

Description:

Description:

"Cajun Spice: Dance Music From South Louisiana" (02/14/1992) Cajun Various Artists, Rounder Records

Description: