60 Minutes with the King of Zydeco

Product Description

These 15 selections, drawn from Clifton Chenier’s various Arhoolie releases, constitute his most popular recordings from 1965 to 1987, when he reigned supreme as the King of Louisiana Zydeco music. Note that 10 of the 15 songs on the CD are transcribed in the accompanying book, 96616 “Clifton Chenier: The King of Zydeco.”

Amazon.com

The most essential single disc of accordionist Clifton Chenier, the man who literally invented zydeco, this 15-cut collection is a Chenier greatest hits collection, containing all of the best tracks from his many Arhoolie albums. The song list reads like a history of zydeco–many of the genre’s most memorable tunes are here, all written by Chenier himself. "Les Zydeco sont pas sal&ecaute;" "Zydeco Cha Cha" "Allons à Grand-Coteau" "Tu le ton son ton" are classic examples of Chenier’s blend of blues, rock and traditional Cajun-French dance numbers. The accordion wizard is ably supported throughout by the washboard scratching, tenor sax honking, guitar wailing, Red Hot Louisiana Band. The excellent liner notes are by Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz. An hour’s worth of hits that’s sure to fill any dance floor. –Robert Baird