Zydeco rubboards history video

New Orleans’ WDSU-TV Channel 8 aired this short (2:58) video recently with background on the rubboard used so much in zyeco music.  It shows one being manufactured, in stop motion, by Tee-Don Landry.  Landry claims it was his father who made the first one for Clifton Chenier’s brother Cleveland to play in the band.  A transcription is included, if you’re having problems with Louisiana-accented English.

 

Free-to-view Creole music documentary

The excellent documentary film “Dry Wood” can now be viewed online for free.  As the description says: “A glimpse into the life, food, and Mardi Gras celebrations of black Creoles in French Louisiana, featuring the stories and music of “Bois Sec” Ardoin and Canray Fontenot. Dry Wood is one of a number of Les Blank’s critically acclaimed films on Lousiana life and culture. Hot Pepper, a film on zydeco great Clifton Chenier, is a companion to Dry Wood. These films and many other important documentary films about American folklife are available on DVD at Les Blank’s Flower Films.”  It is for “Home streaming only.”

 

Friday video: Ray Abshire with Balfa Toujours

Here is the great Cajun accordionist and singer, Ray Abshire, performing with Balfa Toujours at the 2011 Festivals Acadiens et Créoles in Lafayette, LA.  From left: Courtney Granger (violin), Kevin Wimmer (violin), Ray Abshire (accordion), Christine Balfa (guitar) and Yvette Landry (bass).  And sorry, but don’t know the drummer.  Also don’t recognize the song, and it’s one of the smaller performance spaces, not the main stage or the heritage stage. 

 

Friday video: Jeffrey Broussard “Zydeco a pas sale”

Here are Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys performing an instrumental version of Zydeco a pas sale (also known as Zydeco sont pas sale or The snap beans aren’t salty) at the Institute of Musical Traditions in Rockville, Maryland on May 21, 2012.  He’s using the smaller diatonic accordion, so it sounds different from the usual Clifton Chenier version we’re used to.  Broussard was a member of Zydeco Force before they broke up.  This is a very professional-looking video, made with multiple cameras. 

 

Friday video: BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet “Zydeco Gris Gris”

No accordion here, this is a version of BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet’s long-time favorite song Zydeco gris gris.  Since Jimmy Breaux left the band, BEauSoleil has not had a regular accordionist.  At the June 2014 Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, it was Jo-El Sonnier doing the honors.  Wonder if they’ll add a regular accordion player to the band.  BeauSoleil tours a lot, so look for ’em in your town soon!  And it was recorded underground in Tennessee.  

 

Friday video: Buckwheat Zydeco in Milwaukee 2012

One hour and twenty-six minutes of zydeco excitement; here’s Buckwheat Zydeco in Milwaukee.  This was a student produced project with Student Ops, and they did a great job!  This isn’t someone with a single low-res camera, it’s HD all the way with student producer Morgan Kauphusman and student director Justin Avery..  There’s all the performer to audience interaction, as well as a big band, with trumpet and saxophone.  Eh toi! 

 

Friday video: “Kalinda” by Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas in 2014

YouTube user Louisiana Stars has posted a video of a 2014 performance of “Kalinda” by Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas.   As usual, Nathan Williams wears his trademark hat and sunglasses and does a little dance step as he plays; that’s not easy with a big old piano-key accordion strapped to his chest!    Williams is an under-appreciated musician, with eight main albums released by Rounder, and three live performance at Jazz Fest, as well as many individual tracks on compilation albums.  As he says:  “You got to wonder where you’re going but never forget where you came from.”

Let’s go (Rounder, 2000)
I’m a Zydeco Hog (live at Rock ‘n’ Bowl) (Rounder, 1997)
Follow Me Chicken (Rounder, 1993)
Your Mama Don’t Know (Rounder, 1992)
Steady Rock (Rounder, 1992)

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2011, 2012 and 2013 (https://www.munckmusic.com/wms/jazzfest/index.html – search artist in pull-down box)

 

Friday video: Marc Savoy ‘J’ai passe devant ta porte’

Here’s Marc Savoy, solo, on stage at the Musical Instruments Museum in Phoenix, AZ.  He’s playing the first song he learned, “J’ai passe devant ta porte,” or “I passed by your door.”  It’s an instrumental, so don’t wait for the vocals to kick in.  Savoy is one of the two best accordion makers, the other being Junior Martin.  They’re all made by hand, slowly, and they aren’t cheap!    

 

Friday video: Cedric Watson et Bijou Créole 2012

Here are four glorious Louisiana Creole songs brought to you by KEXP-FM, Seattle, WA.   The set starts with Le soleil est leve (The sun is setting), then Pa Janvier (or Donne moi Pauline), a great minor key song from the Cajun repertoire.  There’s an interview with Watson from 8:40 to 15:31, followed by Cochon de Lait, then some more discussion about the band members, and Les hurlements.  Watson plays diatonic and double-row accordion and violin and sings.  Each song is named with text over the video. 

 

Friday video: Chanson de Mardi Gras, Iota, Louisiana

Here are some real, live Mardi Gras singing the Chanson de Mardi Gras near Iota, Louisiana.  “Mardi Gras,” or “Fat Tuesday” is the last day before Lent.  It is the last day for feasting before the austere Lenten season.  In Cajun country, men and women dress up in colorful costumes and ride the highways, going from house to house, begging for ingredients for the communal gumbo eaten at the end of the day.  “Mardi Gras” refers to the day and, in Cajun country, to the riders themselves.  There are two figures with mock whips in hand, one in brown and one in a red vest.  Looks like the man in the vest is the capitain (captain), who is responsible for keeping a semblance of order among the riders.  Singing begins at about 0:43.  Every community has its own version of the chanson de Mardi Gras.  Here are three:  Balfa Brothers, Austin Pitre, and Steve Riley.  The one sung here doesn’t match exactly any of them.  Love the look of wariness on the dog on the porch, and the frisson on the faces of the children.  The wire screen masks are evident, the conical capuchon hats, and the fringe on all the costumes.  Capitaine, Capitaine voyage ton flag!