Album Review: Various Artists - A Tribute to the King of Zydeco

Various Artists

A Tribute to the King of Zydeco

**** out of *****

To celebrate what would have been Clifton Chenier's 100th birthday, Valcour Records put together a tribute album that brings together a wide range of Chenier's musical fans. A Tribute to the King of Zydeco is a benefit album that supports Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship, which will offer annual financial assistance to students studying Traditional Music, specifically Zydeco accordion, keeping Louisiana Music alive for future generations. 

There is no debating Chenier's status as King of Zydeco, and the accordion is a strong presence throughout the album, but Chenier also worked with blues, Caribbean rhythms, R&B, rock, soul, and more throughout his playing days. The album pairs internationally known artists with some of Louisiana's finest, including various accordion players, to deliver a varied and enjoyable ride through Chenier's career. 

The biggest act to pay tribute are The Rolling Stones who kick things off with a ripping version of "Zydeco Sont Pas Salés" as Mick Jagger, plays killer harmonica and sings in French while accordionist Steve Riley adds the Zydeco flair to Keith Richards and Ronnie Woods guitars; a great fast way to get started. 

From there things shuffle back and forth between slower blues numbers ("Easy Easy Baby" by Charley Crockett and Nathan Williams Sr.) and upbeat boot scooting, Southwest Louisiana dancefloor ready numbers ("Tout Le Temps En Temps" by Shannon McNally, Molly Tuttle and Keith Frank). There is a lot of variety here for non-zydeco lovers to dig into, right up to the emotional closing "I'm Coming Home" by Sonny Landreth and CJ Chenier. 

Highlight offerings include the bubbling piano and accordion work on "Hey ‘Tite Fille" by Taj Mahal and Frank, the waltzing blues of "Release Me" by Lucinda Williams, Tommy McLain and Frank and the amazing vocals of John Hiatt and Sonny Landreth on the excellently bumping "You Used To Call Me". "Ay Ai Ai" by Ruben Ramos with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Meyers, is a fun southern stroll while Marica Ball has covered Chenier for years and partners with Geno Delafose for the blues bounce of "I May Be Wrong" which has excellent sax work. 

A few efforts go above and beyond. Jon Cleary and Curley Taylor give the piano ballad "I’m On The Wonder" a spooky, swampy feel that is excellent in haunting fashion while "Hot Rod" is a blazing instrumental tribute by David Hidalgo and CJ Chenier that cooks with intensity. 

A Tribute to the King of Zydeco does a great job of establishing Clifton Chenier as a foundational figure in Zydeco and beyond. Hopefully this benefit album will both inspire young artists to check him out and also get involved with traditional Louisiana music. 
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