Customer Reviews

The Masked Band

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Keith Frank masquerades as the leader of this top-notch Zydeco band. This is the newest Frank family project marking a return to their Creole roots with a combination of English & Creole French lyrics and traditional Creole instrumentation. This represents the extended, multigenerational Frank family coming full circle. This album is musically inclusive, as opposed to "retro". Carlton Frank emerged from retirement to play fiddle, an instrument all but nonexistent in contemporary Zydeco. With varying instrumentations, classic songs and bright new originals, The Creole Connection serves to include the entire Frank family in its delivery of "holistic" Zydeco to a listening public beyond Louisiana to the rest of the world.

I really love this CD. Like some other preservationists of Creole culture, I had become concerned that the "nouveau zydeco" had begun to incorporate too much hip hop flavor, sacrificing the French roots. Many of the younger bands don't know (or care) about balancing their music with respect to the old Creole songs, waltzes, etc. while putting their own stamp on the music so it can continue to grow, develop, and stay fresh. This CD is a nice balance, with 6 of the 18 tracks having French lyrics. I am giving it 4 stars because I don't think Keith Frank succeeded in his goal of creating a musical "alter-ego" for himself. The original tracks have Keith Frank all over them, even if you don't read the credits. Not that that's a bad thing -- Keith Frank is a great musician, and his lyrics can be quite refreshing, funny, and thought provoking. I highly recommend this CD to those who may be new to zydeco and are therefore unfamiliar with its roots, history, and some of the pioneer French music artists. I hope the Creole Connection will continue to record.

If you don't have Creole Connection something is wrong with you. This C.D. is great so if I were you I would go out and get it.