‘Zydeco Nation’ documentary online

Nearly a year ago, we mentioned a grant for the production of a radio documentary on zydeco music in California.   It is now available for listening on the AARP web site and lasts 53 minutes.  It’s got lots of interviews with older folk, many of whom were raised in Louisiana before moving to California.  And there’s the next generation, born in California, but who have enthusiastically adopted the Creole culture around zydeco.  The slider in the audio player lets you move around if needed.  Well worth a listen!

 

 

Floyd Soileau on American Routes Jan. 2012

At the risk of looking like a shill for Nick Spitzer, this week’s American Routes radio show (Jan. 23-29, 2012) includes an interview with Floyd Soileau, the founder of Swallow Records.  Swallow is the most important and biggest Cajun music record label in Louisiana.  The show’s theme is “The Indie Grammphone,” and includes interviews with Soileau and two other independent record label geniuses.  Check the web site for dates and times on your local public radio station.

 

Zydeco keeps you young!

Twins Zerben and Ruben Guillory of St. Martinville, Louisiana recently turned 91 years old.  They love to visit, drink coffee, wear cowboy hats, and dance zydeco!  Dance keeps you limber and strong and improves respiration and metabolism.  (These claims have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and should not be considered expert medical advice.)  Well, it can’t hurt!

 

Friday video: Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas

This past weekend, the Zydeco Music Awards gave a lifetime honor to Nathan Williams, leader of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas.   He’s been around more than 30 years, always playing and smiling with cowboy hat and sunglasses.  Go see him if you get the chance!  Here he is in 2008 at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans.  

 

Belton Richard on American Routes (Jan. 2012)

Nick Spitzer will have the great (and living) Cajun singer and accordionist Belton Richard on American Routes this week, Jan. 16-22.  Check your local NPR listings for details.

 

Friday video: Les Frères Michot playing at Prejean’s

Prejean’s is a popular restaurant just north of Lafayette, LA, on Interstate 49.  They are one of the few remaining restaurants with live music.  This is a brief clip, under a minute, but it gives something of the flavor of the restaurant and the players.  They’re listed here at the Les Frères Michot, or the Michot Brothers.  This is not the full band of brothers, but two with one of the sons.  They play around with somewhat different configurations, depending on who is available.  You’ll hear the whole band at major festivals.  The poster says this was recorded on October 24, 2011. 

 

Kevin Naquin – politician

With seven well-received recordings to his name, you might think that Kevin Naquin is busy enough.  But Mr. Naquin has entered the realm of politics and was elected to the post of Council Member of the Lafayette City-Parish Council for District One.  The official web site still lists some else, but these things can be slow to update.   Meetings are broadcast locally on the local cable system.   He’s in good company with a Boudreaux, a Bellard, a Bertrand and a Theriot, all good Cajun names.

 

New love song collection from Thompkins Square

The folks at Thompkins Square are at it again, continuing to release older and folk material on CD.  This time it’s “Aimer et Perdre: To Love & to Lose Songs, 1917-1934” after a song by Joe and Cleoma Falcon.   The New Yorker mentions it and has a sound clip online.  Can’t find it on their web site, however.  Amazon lists it with a Feb. 13, 2012 release date.  Don’t find it on the Louisiana Music Factory site yet.  Who’da thought Brooklyn would be the source for classic recorded folk and ethic music?  You can listen to the title song now on the CD Cajun volume 1 Abbeville breakdown. Columbia. CK 56220. 1990.

 

Mardi Gras Rhythms by Ryan Whirty

Here’s a sensible article about Mardi Gras music from Louisiana Life Magazine [disclaimer:  I am friends with the publisher, Errol Laborde.].    It’s written by someone who knows that New Orleans rhythm and blues is not the same as Cajun or zydeco music.  Read it now!

 

Zydeco at Spoleto 2012

The Spoleto Festival was founded in 1977 by Gian-Carlo Menotti, the composer, as an extension of an Italian music festival.  It is held in and around Charleston, South Carolina, USA.  Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole will perform this year.  I believe this is the first year a zydeco, Louisiana Creole or Cajun band has performed.  Way go to, Spoleto!