Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band Standing on Faith

Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band
Standing on Faith

Corey Ledet has been one of the vital 'young' voices in Zydeco for over a decade. Rooted in the creators of the idiom like Clifton Chenier, John Delafose, and Boozoo Chavis, he has musically evolved to incorporate some of the modern trends in the music. It has been a few since his last recording, but this new recording, while relatively short, provides a solid look at the versatility he exhibits when playing zydeco.

Corey is heard of accordion, washboard and drums as well as vocals, while Jesse Delgizzi plays guitar, bass, moog and vocals with Cecil Green on keyboards. After an opening funk "Intro" with keyboards and vocal effects on the spoken intro (presumably by Delgizzi), Corey takes us into a Boozoo Chavis styled rocker, "Push Me Away," with some marvelous button accordion playing and the crisp, emphatic groove. Given Ledet's overdubbing his accordion over his drums and washboard, the recording sounds natural. In contrast, an instrumental "Love Never Felt So Good," comes off as a mix between zydeco and contemporary dance music with Delgizzi's funky bass and synthesizer work intriguing.

The driving zydeco gospel number, "Standing on Faith," is Ledet's statement of his faith, followed by an contemporary urban soul ballad, "Take Me There." "New York City" is a terrific zydeco rocker that will evoke Clifton Chenier and Roy Carrier as he sings about going to New York City for a zydeco dance. "Good Day" again takes things in a more contemporary mode where Delgizzi's synthesizer playing emulates steel pans lending a Caribbean rhythmic accent. The closing "Street Light," is another contemporary zydeco number, well played and sung, but being perhaps a bit smoother at the edges..

With its relatively short playing time and its contemporary flavor, there may not be enough straight-ahead zydeco here to appeal to the more traditional zydeco audience. Those looking for a more updated twist on the idiom will be more interested in this latest chapter In Corey Ledet's career.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video for "Street Light" from this album.