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Press Release:
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, zydeco was dismissed as "old folks' music," and it almost vanished. Today, on the brink of the millennium, this exuberant sound is routinely featured in national television
commercials, on motion picture sound tracks, and at live performances around the world.In the new book ZYDECO! (University Press of Mississippi, $45 hardback, $25 paperback), journalist/musician Ben Sandmel tells how this amazing
resurgence happened.American culture is growing more and more homogenized," Sandmel said, "and a distinctive regional style such as zydeco really stands out. I think the primary reason for its resurgence is that zydeco is great for dancing. It's energetic, sensual, fun music, and that gives it immediate appeal. In addition, many listeners are intrigued by the cultural setting that surrounds zydeco, because it is so different from the
mainstream."
That cultural setting is the "crawfish circuit," the bars and clubs of Southwest Louisiana where bands play the vibrant dance music of the state's black Creole community.
"Southwest Louisiana has a very serious work ethic, and zydeco epitomizes a philosophy of "work hard, and then play hard,' " Sandmel said. "The harder that people work the more steam they need to blow off,
and Zydeco bands do the same. They often play three- or four-hour sets without ever taking a break."
ZYDECO! is the first published collection of fine photographs, lively text, and oral history devoted exclusively to black Creole dance music. In addition to Sandmel's extensive interviews and historical commentary, ZYDECO! features eighty stunning portraits of the genre's leading people and places taken by New Orleans photographer Rick Olivier.
Olivier snapped most of his pictures as the musicians were in the frenzy of performance. "A big challenge was shooting inside the clubs where I often had to step up right into the center of the action and make a picture when I would have preferred to sit at my table and groove or get up, dance, and hang with the crowd," he said. "But the people on the zydeco scene, both players and audience, are as gracious and generous as any on earth, so I felt accepted and appreciated--even when I stuck out like a sore thumb with all my photographic equipment."
Through Olivier's innovative use of lighting and Sandmel's skill as an interviewer, zydeco icons such as Clifton Chenier, Boozoo Chavis, and Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural guide readers through their music, its complex cultural context, and the unbounded joy they find in performing. With a combined thirty years of experience covering the music, Olivier and Sandmel have crafted a deft blend of substance and informality in a book that will appeal to zydeco aficionados and neophytes alike.
Rick Olivier is an award-winning photographer whose internationally exhibited work is part of the permanent collections of both the NewOrleans Museum of Art and the Historic New Orleans Collection. Ben
Sandmel is a Grammy-nominated producer and drummer for the Cajun band The Hackberry Ramblers, and he is the zydeco programming consultant for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Olivier and Sandmel's work has appeared in such publications as ROLLING STONE, ESQUIRE, THE ATLANTIC
MONTHLY, and THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE, and they have provided the photography and liner notes for numerous zydeco albums.Lovers of zydeco have been lucky lately. In the past 12 months, a trilogy of books have been published that enlarge our knowledge and appreciation of the genre. In 1998, we were fortunate to see the release of The Kingdom of Zydeco by Michael Tisserand, and Let the Good Times Roll! A Guide to Cajun and Zydeco Music by Pat Nyhan, Brian Rollins and David Babb. Now we can savor the just-released Zydeco!, with text by Ben Sandmel and black and white photographs by Rick Olivier.
If you are curious as to how zydeco was transformed from a dying folk tradition in the 1940’s and 1950’s to its nouveau zydeco resurrection in the late 80’s and 90’s, you will find Zydeco! a fascinating tale. This book focuses on the pivotal roles now legendary musicians, Clifton Chenier, Boozoo Chavis, and Buckwheat Zydeco played as revivalists, popularizers and ambassadors of the music and culture they grew up with, and how they saved their heritage from the obscurity and disfavor it fell into during the mid-century. It was a journey first away from the ‘la la’ music of their childhood, and then back again, as Chenier and later Buckwheat, Lynn August and Warren Caeser ventured far and wide into other musical traditions, such as soul music, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll before returning to the French Creole music they grew up with.
Stories about trail rides, and Creole cowboys and life on the "crawfish circuit" of southwestern Louisiana abound in the firsthand accounts of the musicians in this book , as do childhood memories of going to the ‘la la’ dances or listening to their grandparents sing ‘jure’. (for a greater insight into the origins of the Creole style, read Michael Tisserand’s excellent, The Kingdom of Zydeco).
In the musicians’ own words, Zydeco! also recounts how the revival of zydeco was deeply mixed with a fierce pride in the black Creole heritage and traditions that emerged along with the Sixties’ black power, black pride political and cultural movements. One example recalls how Zydeco music became interchangeable in the public’s mind with Cajun music during the mass media’s popularization of Louisiana culture and music in the 1980’s . Both were showcased in the movie, "The Big Easy’, which featured nouveau zydeco musician, Terrance Simian, as well as the Cajun band BeauSoleil playing a tune called "Zydeco Gris Gris". On Paul Simon’s tribute to Chenier and Louisiana music on Graceland, the song That was your Mother included the lyrics, "Catch a little bit of those Cajun girls dancing to zydeco". Paul Prudhomme’s popularization of Louisiana cooking also blurred the distinctions between Cajun and Creole in the public’s mind. Stanley Dural (Buckwheat Zydeco) in particular took great pains to emphasize that he played black Creole or zydeco music, and contractually stipulated that the publicity for his gigs must NOT state that he was playing Cajun music or the contract would be voided and the engagement canceled.
Zydeco! also frankly discusses prejudice and the toll it has taken. In a long interview, Boozoo Chavis speaks very frankly about the racism he had to deal with and how stories about him falling off a chair drunk at the recording session where he cut "Paper in My Shoe" were falsely circulated. Boozoo quit playing music for almost two decades, because he fell he was being exploited by the industry. And as recently as 1997, Geno Delafose had difficulties playing in a ‘white’ club with Cajun musician Dewey Balfa’s daughter, Christine in Basile.
On a lighter note, the book recounts the origins of some of Boozoo’s X-rated lyrics from ‘the dirty dozens’, a male bonding rhyming folk genre.
Zydeco! also discusses how the new generations of zydeco musicians continue to travel down the paths set by these trailblazers. The current scene include such ‘modern traditionalists’ as Geno Delafose and Nathan Williams, as well as the proponents of ‘zydeco nouveau’. The nouveau scene evolved as elements of funk, hip-hop and rap were incorporated into the music, in some cases updating songs from the traditional repertoire. Nouveau musicians, including Beau Jocque, Keith Frank and Chris Ardoin, draw large crowds to the ‘crawfish circuit’ dance halls today.
For lovers of zydeco who wish to gain a greater understanding of how zydeco evolved from its folk roots to its modern incarnation, Zydeco! is required reading.
Order here (from Amazon.com)
|  The
Kingdom of Zydeco by Michael Tisserand
There have been several histories available about Cajun music, but until now, very little has been written about zydeco. Michael Tisserand's book comes along to definitively fill that gap. The author has traveled to Louisiana, Texas and California speaking to the old and new generation of Creole and zydeco musicians, promoters, historians, family, fans and audiences and recorded their stories and recollections. Here you find Boozoo Chavis, Canrey Fontenot and Mama Lena Pitre (Andre Thierry's grandmother) among others talking about the house dances and the manners and music of their youth. You discover how the term zydeco got into popular usage (more than just the 'snap bean' story). You learn how Clifton Chenier designed and had made to order the first 'modern' rubbord. You discover the evolution of different accordians in the musical tradition. There's a frank discussion of the background of racism and the racial tensions that came about as Creole musicians played for white audiences. The charisma and tragic turn of trail-blazing Amede Ardoin's life is eye-opening. Additional chapters feature Clifton Chenier, his son C.J., Buckwheat Zydeco, Nathan Williams, Rockin' Sidney, Boozoo Chavis, Zydeco Force, Beau Jocque, Keith Frank, John Delafose and his son Geno, and Terrance Simien. In addition, a chapter called Gulf Coast West talks about San Francisco Bay area legends, Danny Poullard and George Broussand. One story involved their band, the Louisiana Playboys, and the night George called a reluctant Ida Guillory up to a San Francisco Mardi Gras dance at All Hallows church to play the accordian. A San Francisco Chronicle reporter was in the audience as George called Ida the 'queen of the Mardi Gras'. The story was put on the cover of the Sunday magazine section, and the rest, as they say, is history. This is a history that is as spell-binding as a novel. It will open your eyes, keep you up at night and have you running to the CD store for the soundtrack to put on as background music as you read this absorbing history. To order from Amazon.com, click here. Let the Good Times Roll: A Guide to Cajun and Zydeco Music
Have you ever stood in front of the Cajun/zydeco section of a record store and wanted to purchase something by a Cajun, Creole or zydeco musician you'd heard about but had no idea which recording to select? Or wanted to listen to something new, but didn't know where to start? This certainly was my experience as my interest in Cajun and zydeco music grew. Now there is a wonderful new resource available to everyone who is interested in Cajun/zydeco music. The authors, who have made a lifetime study of Louisiana music, are Pat Nyhan, a journalist, and Brian Rollins and David Babb, two former musicians who host Cajun/zydeco radio shows in Portland, Maine. Collectively, they add the enthusiasm of fans to their extensive research and knowledge, resulting in this informative and fascinating book. A foreword by Michael Doucet opens the 232-page paperback. .The introduction gives a brief history of Cajun and zydeco music and recording history. The meat of the book is in the music reviews - with the Cajun and Creole section written by Brian Rollins, and the zydeco recordings authored by David Babb. Each section starts with a top 10 list of recommended recordings. The reviews for each artist start with a biography, and then their recordings are ranked by 'the best', 'excellent', 'good', and 'other recordings'. . Nearly 600 albums are rated and reviewed in all. A comprehensive appendix of resources covers music sources (record companies and record stores, including mail order sources), Internet resources, books, magazines and newspapers, videos, festivals, and Louisiana music clubs While I may quibble with some of the rankings (discussing their recommendations would make for great party conversation, if we ever stopped dancing long enough to have any conversation!), I would still highly recommend this book as the best way I know right now to explore this music, short of a one-year sabbatical in southwest Louisiana. I only wish a book like this had been available years ago. |
|
 Meely
LaBauve: A Novel by Ken Wells. |
Huck Finn goes to Cajun country. This is an enchanting book about a young Cajun boy, filled with swamps, gators, fishin' for crawfish, great adventures, and a genuine feel for life in the Bayou back country. The dialogue writing was inspired and at times, I laughed out loud. I read it in one night, and my only regret was that it was so short. Meely LaBauve is a great character. Highly recommended.
| Cajun
and Creole Music Makers.
Text by Barry Ancelet; photographs by Elemore Morgan, Jr. In English and French. (University Press of Mississippi). This re-issue is an updated edition of the 1974 classic volume which chronicled the rejuvenation of Cajun and Creole music with great photographs and fascinating interviews with many legendary performers including: Dewey Balfa, Clifton Chenier, Dennis McGee, Canray Fonteot, Nathan Abshire, Bois Sec Ardoin, Michael Doucet and Zachary Richard. Click here to order from Amazon.com
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|  Yé
Yaille Chere! This is the most comprehensive book on Cajun songs.
Includes the most common lyrics and the melody in standard notation. This book
is a valuable reference for anyone interested in Cajun music and the Cajun
culture. Tunes, turns, chord changes, and words are documented in manuscript
for more than 240 selections, ranging from old songs which have nearly been
forgotten to the classic songs of Cajun repertoire. Variations of many songs
are included, and songs are cross-referenced to original and other recordings
and to related songs. Reminiscences by Cajun musicians and extensive notes
provide a musical and cultural setting for the selections. Some controversy
over some of the songs, but this is folk music after all and it is hard to pin
down the definitive versions of many of the songs. 500pg. hard-cover.
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Multimedia
| Review:
 Allons
en Louisiane -- The Rounder Records Guide to Cajun Music, Zydeco and South
Louisiana Order here (from
Amazon.com) |
Have you even had trouble explaining your obsession with Louisiana, Cajun and zydeco music to your relatives and friends? Well this holiday season Rounder Records has released the perfect solution for those trips home. Allons en Louisiane is a multi-media 2-CD set that includes an audio CD that samples many of the top artists on the C/z scene plus a CD ROM containing movies, interviews and photos covering a wide range of topicson the music and culture. Written and produced by Scott Billington, who has been recording the music of Louisiana for the past fifteen years, the set is a great introduction to the pleasures that are uniquely South Louisiana's, and a great way to show the uninitiated at your holiday gatherings where you've been spending all your vacation time!
The CD-ROM features some great video segments: one shows the late Beau Jocque playing triangle with his father, traditional accordionist Sandrus Espres. There are two dance instruction videos, and two cooking instruction videos with printable recipes. On the Creole cooking video, Joann Delafose, Geno's mom, demonstrates how to cook her sauce picante. This segment is a totally charming PLUS it makes you want to get our your pans and start cooking for a crowd. Also included are dozens of spoken musician interviews, including Michael Doucet, Steve Riley, Boozoo Chavis, Nathan Williams and D.L. Menard. There are lots of photos accompanied by a mini-encyclopedia's worth of text, plus a concise South Louisiana travel guide to the main strongholds of SW Louisiana culture in Lafayette, Eunice, Mamou, Opelousas, Breaux Bridge and Abbeville. The travel guide focuses on key zydeco clubs, Cajun dance halls, and a few Cajun and Creole restaurants. While not comprehensive (how could they leave out Cafe Des Amis in Breaux Bridge?!), for a newcomer planning a trip, their recommendations are a good place to begin exploring. The CD-ROM also includes some nice segments on both Cajun and Creole Mardi Gras festivities.
The 15-track audio CD includes tracks by many of the cornerstones of today's Cajun and zydeco scene: Geno Delafose, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Chris Ardoine and Double Clutchin', Beausoleil, Balfa Toujours, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas, Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers, Boozoo Chavis, Eddie LeJeune, Al Berard and the Basin Brothers, Bois Sec Ardoin with Balfa Toujours, D. L. Menard, Bruce Daigrepont and Li'l Brian and the Zydeco Travellers. Because this is a Rounder production, some key acts on the scene like Keith Frank, Step Rideau, File, Zydeco Joe and Rosie Ledet seemed conspicuously absent, but nonetheless, the selection serves as representative introduction to the genre.
This multimedia CD set would make a wonderful gift for your Cajun and zydeco obsessed friends, or those who just would like to learn more about South Louisiana's unique culture. In fact, I hope this becomes just the beginning of a series of multimedia CDs on the great Cajun and Creole/zydeco artists from this area.
