The Zydeco: The Early Years

by ZYDECO

Overview

Zydeco: The Early Years doesn't necessarily represent the early years of zydeco itself, which had probably been around in several variations for decades prior to these tracks, most of which were recorded in the early '60s. This was still years before zydeco had reached anything close to the level of international esteem it now enjoys, and Chris Strachwitz, who made most of the recordings, was among the first to recognize the form's importance. In comparison to the boisterous full sounds of zydeco stars of the '80s and '90s, this is fairly primitive-sounding; usually there's nothing more than accordion, vocals, and washboard, although drums are sometimes present. It could use more variety, frankly, but these are significant documents of how zydeco sounded when it was music for friends and house parties rather than records or House of Blues clubs, and the music -- by artists including Albert Chevalier, Pete King, Willie Green, and Sidney Babineaux -- does have a rough, unforced, upbeat charm. As a nice bonus, both sides of Clifton Chenier's 1954 debut single are included (they're far more R&B-influenced than the field recordings here), and there's a 1949 jump blues-zydeco hybrid by Clarence Garlow, "Bon Ton Roulet." ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	11/30/1993
Label:	Arhoolie
UPC:	0096297030721
Rank:	186164

Tracks

1. Allons ¿¿ Lafayette  - Michael Doucet  - Wallace Gernger  - Paul McZiel  -  McZiel & Gernger
2. Tap Dance  - Wallace Gernger  - Paul McZiel  -  McZiel & Gernger
3. French Waltz  - Wallace Gernger  - Paul McZiel  -  McZiel & Gernger
4. Rayne One Step & Zydeco Sont Pas Sale  - Sidney Babineaux
5. Zydeco Sont Pas Sale  - Clifton Chenier  - Albert Chevalier
6. Moman Couche  - Albert Chevalier
7. Ma Petite Fille  - Albert Chevalier
8. Bernadette, Cher  - Albert Chevalier
9. You Havin' a Good Time  - George Alberts
10. King's Zydeco  - Lester Herbert  -  King
11. Lafayette Zydeco  - Lester Herbert  -  King
12. Jole Blonde  - Clifton Chenier  - Willie Green
13. Baby Please Don't Go  - Willie Green  - Muddy Waters
14. Tell Me Pretty Baby  - Willie Green
15. Announcement & Green's Zydeco  - Willie Green
16. They Call Me Good Rockin'  - Herbert Sam
17. Clifton's Blues  - Clifton Chenier
18. Louisiana Stomp  - Clifton Chenier
19. Bon Ton Roulet  - Clifton Chenier  - Clarence "Bon Ton" Garlow

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Peter King & Lester Herbert   Primary Artist
McZiel & Gernger   Primary Artist
Peter King   Primary Artist,Accordion
Wallace Gernger   Primary Artist,Vocals,Washboard
Clifton Chenier   Primary Artist,Vocals,Accordion
Herbert Sam   Primary Artist,Vocals,Accordion
Willie Green   Primary Artist,Vocals,Accordion
Sidney Babineaux   Primary Artist,Accordion
Clarence "Bon Ton" Garlow   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
George Alberts   Primary Artist,Vocals
Paul McZiel   Primary Artist,Accordion
Lester Herbert   Primary Artist,Vocals,Washboard
Albert Chevalier   Primary Artist,Vocals,Accordion
Robert Clemon   Accordion
Edmond Savoy   Washboard
Johnnie Mae Brown   Piano
Jack Fountleroy   Drums
Clifton Edmond   Washboard
Robert Pete   Drums
William Green   Band,Vocals,Accordion
Joel Savoy   Accordion
John Marshall   Drums

Technical Credits

Robert Clemon   Performer
Peter King   Performer
William Green   Performer
Muddy Waters   Composer
Albert Chevalier   Performer
Herbert Sam   Performer
Willie Green   Performer
Chris Strachwitz   Engineer,Photography
Sidney Babineaux   Performer
Clifton Chenier   Composer,Performer
Clarence "Bon Ton" Garlow   Performer
George Alberts   Performer
Michael Doucet   Composer