Zydeco Man

by Rockin Dopsie

Overview

This Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. disc serves as a good introduction to what might now be called old-time zydeco. This zydeco band veteran recorded a solid group of songs in his style and also some songs not associated with the genre, showing how to take a standard like "How Sweet It Is" and zydeco it up. There is a closeness here that comes from family -- and that is particularly what this disc shows. This band was originally Rockin' Dopsie Jr.'s father's band and contains two of his brothers, Alton "Dopsie" Rubin Jr. on drums and Anthony "Dopsie" Rubin on accordion. The rest of the band -- one of the best around -- is a solid unit anchored by the guitar work of Paul "Lil' Buck" Sinegal and Alonzo Johnson on bass. One problem with this disc is that it doesn't come near to capturing the electric vibrant energy that Rockin' Dopsie Jr. emits on stage. He could be likened to James Brown as a bundle of dancing energy on the stage. The songs on this disc are too many of the standard songs associated with zydeco -- "Ay-Te Te Fee" and "I'm the Zydeco Man," both written by Clifton Chenier -- and his tunes that have become standards, such as "Party Down" and "Lucille." There isn't enough new material to wake the listener up. He does do a great job on the Jessie Hill classic "Ooh Poo Pa Do." But, still, it is good solid zydeco and this band is tough to beat. ~ Bob Gottieb

Product Details

Release Date:	06/06/2000
Label:	Mardi Gras Records
UPC:	0096094104823
Rank:	243517

Tracks

1. I'm the Zydeco Man
2. Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
3. Lucille
4. Ay-Te Te Fee
5. Party Down
6. Ooh Poo Pah Doo
7. Keep a Knockin'
8. Bad Luck and Trouble
9. Show Me How to Zydeco
10. Tell Me Why
11. Bring Back the Old Time Zydeco
12. How Sweet It Is
13. Listen to the Music

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Rockin' Dopsie Jr.   Primary Artist
Rockin' Dopsie & the Zydeco Twisters   Primary Artist
Cyril Neville   Drums,Vocals
Scherri Horaist   Vocals
Kim Phillips   Keyboards
Alonzo Johnson   Bass
Patrick Williams   Harmonica

Technical Credits

Lamont Dozier   Composer
Clifton Chenier   Composer
Jerry Embree   Producer
Rockin' Dopsie Jr.   Performer
Tom Johnston   Composer
Brian Holland   Composer
Hank Williams   Composer
David Farrell   Engineer
Little Richard   Composer
Jessie Hill   Composer
Dave Rubin   Composer
Warren Hildebrand   Executive Producer
David J. Rubin   Composer
Anthony Rubin   Composer
Alton Rubin   Composer