Way Down in Louisiana: Clifton Chenier, Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop Music

Todd Mouton
Way Down in Louisiana: Clifton Chenier, Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop Music
University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Just released is Todd Mouton's excellent new book on Louisiana Music "Way Down in Louisiana." The book is centered on the great Clifton Chenier, but in addition to Mouton's biography of the great zydeco legend, he weaves in portraits on a number of Louisiana acts including Chenier alumni Buckwheat Zydeco, Sonny Landreth, and Lil, Buck Sinegal along with other acts, many who have been touched in some way by Chenier's influence including Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, Filé, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys; Zachary Richard, Couteau, Lil Band O' Gold, Bonsoir Catin, and Roddie Romero & the Hub City All-Stars. Many of the portraits appear to have been previously published (likely in "OffBeat"), but have been updated from original publication. It is the four chapters devoted to Chenier that make this book essential as Mouton traces his life and his music's evolution along with his many extensive recordings with recollections of Buckwheat Zydeco, Chris Strachwitz, Lil Buck, Landreth, son C.J. Chenier, the late John Hart and others helping flesh out this gentleman who saxophonist and visual artist Dickie Landry recalled first hearing Chenier and thinking it "sounded like surf music from Jupiter." In addition to Mouton's narrative, this book is wonderfully illustrated with photos (many rare) and album covers and includes recommended listening for each chapter. Anybody who has listened to Chenier's music or some of the artists will love this book.

Released at the same time as this volume is a documentary DVD produced by Carl Colby, "Clifton

Chenier" (The Phoenix Learning Group) that captures Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band at a dance in Louisiana in the mid-1970s. This video captures Chenier, brother Cleveland with arguably his best that included Lil Buck, Buckwheat Zydeco on keyboards and the great John Hart on saxophone. Mixed in with performances from a dance at The Kingfish in Baton Rouge is video from a performance from Jay's Lounge and Cockpit in Cankton, Louisiana, and a brief clip showing a cock fight (some cajun and zydeco lounges at the time also had a cock pit). This may be unsettling but fortunately brief and the bulk of the video is nothing but some of the best Chenier on video this writer has seen with one of the greatest roots music bands of all time doing 15 numbers including some of his most famous numbers such as "Bon Ton Roulet," "Party Down," "Calinda," "Zydeco Est Pas Salé," and "Black Gal," along with covers of Fats Domino's "Hello Josephine and a stone cold rendition of Lowell Fulson's "Black Nights." This is modestly packaged, but the performance is spellbinding and gives a sense of why Chenier was (and still is) so loved. And the magnificent tenor sax of Blind John Hart is such a bonus.

I was a supporter of the Kickstarter campaign to help get the book published and received the DVD in addition as a premium. Information on this book and the DVD is available on the website, http://waydowninlouisiana.com/. The DVD cover on the website differs from the one I received (the cover above). Not only is there links to buy the book and DVD, but there is a free downloadable sample and a performance from the DVD which I have also included below.

Marcia Ball The Tattooed Lady and the Alligator Man

 

Marcia Ball has a new Alligator Records recording, “The Tattooed Lady and the Alligator Man,” that will certainly delight listeners with her gulf coast musical gumbo. Ms. Ball and her vocals and piano are supported here by her band of Don Bennett on bass, Damien Llanes on drums, Michael Schermer on guitar and Thad Scott on tenor sax with Kaz Kazanoff, Delbert McClinton, and Terrence Semien among those heard on this Tom Hambridge production for her 6th album for Alligator.

Marcia Ball’s Crescent City-rooted rollicking piano and her honey-laced soulful singing will certainly be familiar on this program on mostly Ball originals (the only cover being Hank Ballard’s “He’s The One”). The title track about two characters of a traveling carnival show gets things started with its buoyant romp. Ball’s sense of humor is exhibited on “Clean My House” set up by a second line groove, while “Just Keep Holding On” is a lovely swamp pop-styled ballad followed by the infectious party groove of “Like There’s No Tomorrow.”

There is plenty of soul heard in Ball’s delivery of “He’s the One,” while Terrence Semien’s accordion and harmony vocal adds a zydeco accent to Ball’s message of folks trying to pay bills and simply scrape by on “The Squeeze Is On.” “Human Kindness” is another message song urging us to show some empathy and open up hearts to our fellow man. McClinton adds harmonica behind Balls’ easy rocking shuffle where she says don’t cry about her shuffles because Marcia “Can't Blame Nobody But Myself.”

The closing “The Last To Know” is a blues about looking back and people seeing what they want to see which a hint of “Nobody Knows You When You Are Down Out” in its melody. Its a wonderfully, played and sung recording. “The Tattooed Lady and the Alligator Man” delights with Ball’s strong talents as a singer and pianist who also displays her gift as a songwriter. With her excellent band and guests, she has produced another fabulous recording of party grooves mixed with messages of love and hope.

I received my copy from Alligator Records. This review appeared in the November-December 2014 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 357). Here is Marcia Ball in performance doing the title track.

A Few Blue Notes

The Oxford-American has just published its Annual Music Issue which this year is dedicated to the and music of Louisiana, Trah-La-La-La, Louisiana. Its the fourth of a 12 year series looking at the music associated with a southern state. Included are the usual essays exploring significant artists like Jason Berry on Professor Longhair (pictured on the cover), Amanda Petrusich on the creole accordion pioneer Amédé Ardoin, and New Orleans and Jazz by Stanley Crouch and the writings take us from Cosimo’s studio to the Louisiana Hayride. Included is a diverse recording of music from a variety of Louisiana Artists including Clarence Garlow’s “Bon Ton Roula”; a lesser known Professor Longhair recording; zydeco and cajun music from Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas as well as Octa Clark & Hector Duhon; cajun rock from Cleveland Crochet; Rev. Utah Smith’s fervent gospel classic “Two Wings”: classic soul from Johnny Adams as well as Margaret Lewis’ original of “Reconsider Me,” which Adams recorded as well; then there is some funk form the legendary New Orleans Band, the Gaturs as well as from Lil’ Buck & the Top Cats (who included Lil’ Buck Senegal and Stanley ‘Buckwheat’ Duval); “Shirley” by the 16 year old John Fred (a few years before Judy in Disguise With Glasses; Dr. John; and Kid Ory. This issue is available at Barnes and Noble (where I purchased my copy) and I would presume better independent bookstores. You can also purchase this from the Oxford American directly, and here is the link to their website, http://www.oxfordamerican.org/articles/issues/latest_issue.

The Wire is devoted to a variety of improvised music. The current issue has a feature on legendary free jazz saxophonist Peter Brotzmann and his music and art. Included besides the feature on him is an overview of his very extensive recording career that ranges from fundamental works of the free improvisational scene in Europe to his collaborations with artists like Sonny Sharrock, Bill Lasswell and Ronald Shannon Jackson. I purchased my copy at Barnes & Noble

Taste of Treme: Creole, Cajun, and Soul Food from New Orleans' Famous Neighborhood of Jazz by (2012: Ulysses Press) is a cookbook by a self-described Cajun and Creole foodie (www.LouisianaBoy.com) and this profusely illustrated volume presents recipes with new twists on such classic New Orleans favorites like Muffuletta Salad, Chargrilled Oysters, Crawfish and Corn Beignets, Shrimp and Okra Hushpuppies; Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, Roost Beef Po’ Boy, Bananas Foster and more. Also included are cultural facts about the music, architecture and dining that make up Tremé. I should mention I received a free copy because I gave permission for them to include a coupe of images (Uncle Lionel Batiste (page 16) and saxophonist Roger Lewis (page 134)). I am not a cook but this is a wonderfully designed and illustrated volume that I am sure will provide some inspiration for the culinary folk out there. Here is the Christian Science Monitor review of the book, http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Food/Stir-It-Up/2012/1128/Cookbook-review-Taste-of-Treme.