Customer Reviews

Bayou Blues

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In this 1955 session, Clifton Chenier and his Zodico Ramblers laid down track after track of greasy, back-beat shuffles and boogies for the Specialty Record Label. Rolling instrumentals like "Boppin' the Rock," "Zodico Stomp" and "Opelousas Hop" demonstrate Chenier's masterful touch and wonderful delivery on the accordion, an instrument not normally associated with the blues; that said, this recording is unmistakably a blues record.

Ironically, one of the most interesting elements of this recording has little to do with music. "Eh, Petite Fille," offers listeners an example Creole. Creole is a blending of two or more pidgin (simplified) languages resulting in the synthesis of language that is adopted as the "mother tongue" by a group of people. Creole languages are spoken all over the world but the blend of French, English, and several African dialects merged in Louisiana to create a uniquely American language.

"Bayou Blues" is an entertaining record that often belies the outstanding musicianship of Chenier and his Zodico Ramblers. While Clifton Chenier may not have been the "King of the South" as he proclaimed, he certainly was the King of the Bayou Blues.

Truly a great disc. This is the blues, but unlike any blues you've heard before. My only complaint is its too short.

This album by Clifton Chenier is great because it's a blues album that features the piano accordion , an instrument not normally associated with the blues .