The Best of Clifton Chenier

by Chenier,Clifton

Overview

The origins of zydeco are traceable to one man: Clifton Chenier, who started blending Cajun music with blues and R&B back in the '50s. He recorded for the Arhoolie label over a nearly 30-year span, and The Best of Clifton Chenier is (yet another) collection of his music culled from his Arhoolie sides. People familiar with the sound of contemporary zydeco may be surprised at how prevalent the blues influences are on some of these tunes. Tracks like "Brown Skin Woman," "It's Hard," and "Why Did You Go Last Night" are quite bluesy, while "Ay, Ai, Ai" sounds like what is called zydeco today (and it's the oldest cut on the set). Actually, this variation in style helps with the pacing of the album, providing some stylistic relief from the homogeneous zydeco of some latter-day bands. The inclusion of a previously unissued take of "Zydeco Sont Pas Sale" and a 15-minute interview conducted by Chris Strachwitz make this release of interest to Chenier fans, but it's also a good starting point for someone new to him or someone who wants to investigate the origins of zydeco in general. ~ Sean Westergaard

Product Details

Release Date:	07/22/2003
Label:	Arhoolie
UPC:	0096297047422

Tracks

1. Je Me Reveiler le Matin (I Woke Up This Morning)
2. I'm Coming Home (To See My Mother)
3. Ay, Ai, Ai
4. Brown Skin Woman (Who Can Your Good Man Be)
5. Hot Rod
6. It's Hard
7. All Your Love
8. Party Down at the Blue Angel Club
9. Why Did You Go Last Night
10. Ma Mama Ma Dit (My Mama Told Me)
11. Zydeco Cha Cha
12. Bon Ton Roulet
13. Black Gal
14. Johnny Can't Dance
15. I'm on the Wonder
16. Zydeco Sont Pas Sale (Snap Beans Without Salt)
17. Ain't No Need of Crying (Every Day Is the Same/Louisiana Blues)
18. Interview With Clifton Chenier

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Clifton Chenier   Primary Artist,Vocals,Accordion
Cleveland Chenier   Rubboard
Sherman Robertson   Guitar
Cleveland Keyes   Guitar
Elmore Nixon   Piano,Vocals
C.J. Chenier   Sax (Alto)
Fulton Antoine   Bass
Elvin Bishop   Guitar
Ray Monette   Guitar
Paul Senegal   Guitar
Felix Benit   Guitar
Joseph (Morris) Bruchet   Bass
John Hart   Saxophone,Sax (Tenor)
Stephen Miller   Piano
Warren Ceaser   Trumpet
St. Judy   Drums
Antoine Victor   Guitar
Morris Chenier   Fiddle
Bob Murphy   Drums,Vocals
Alonzo Johnson   Bass

Technical Credits

Boozoo Chavis   Composer
Clifton Chenier   Composer
Magic Sam   Composer
Chris Strachwitz   Editing,Composer,Producer,Interviewer,Liner Notes
Pete Townshend   Composer
Morgan K. Dodge   Graphic Design