Customer Reviews

Zydeco

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Putamayo is a good way to get your hands on xenophile music. This latest is a very good album to start one out on zydeco music, comme ca. Zydeco may be an acquired taste for someone who, unlike me, hasn't listened to blues, African music, or Cajun sounds, elements of all of which are in evidence on this CD. Still, if you're willing to take a stab and listen to something too few people ever hear anymore, you'll be very will rewarded.

Putumayo's recordings are sort of iffy for those who are really into the music that they compile.... some of them are phenomenal, some of them are disappointing. This one is fortunately one of the former. This CD plays like a who's who of Zydeco music, several tempos and song styles (waltz, two-step and blues, the main three rhythm patterns of zydeco music) are presented and all of the songs are truly classics.

If you're just getting into zydeco, this is the album for you! As I said, it's a who's who of zydeco music, so you can listen through and see which tracks you like, which will help you make informed decisions about which full-length single-band albums to buy. If you are a longstanding zydeco fan, you may well have most of these cuts on CDs you already own, so you could just make yourself a mix CD, but save yourself the trouble and pick this one up.

I can't for the life of me figure out how Putumayo managed to make such a spot-on zydeco collection but only a very mediocre Cajun music collection.

If you only buy one zydeco collection, this is the one to buy. Putumayo is a label that specializes in world music. All their releases have beautiful artwork and include a booklet with notes about each song. This release is a great compilation of recent and current and most of it rocks. A sampling of the more popular musicians include...Beau Jocque...Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas...Boozoo Chavis...Queen Ida...Clifton Chenier...Buckwheat Zydeco...and Chris Ardoin does a cover of "Pass the Dutchie"

I have a few zydeco CD's, and this one is far and away my favorite. Hardly a song in the bunch that I can't enjoy again and again.

If you are familiar with zydeco music, you can read Amazon's song list above and there's no need for me to rehash it. If you're not familiar, then no need for a song by song description either, but I'll simply describe zydeco as "happy music" (there are blues tunes in the mix) with cajun roots in the rural Louisiana swamplands. It's from the heart and has a definite rock flavor. (It is not brassy New Orleans rhythem and blues).

This collection is the cream of the crop. If you've got a rock 'n roll heart, you need to check this out. Make your first listen on good equipment with the volume turned up a little and you'll be hooked.

Whether or not you know already know zydeco, BUY THIS CD. You'll like this one and I'm very confident in the recommendation.

My first Zydeco experience took place a few years ago when Queen Ida visited the Twin Cities. I made my first trip to New Orleans this Spring and purchased Putumayo Presents: Zydeco at a local music store. The real thing doesn't come around here often enough, but I certainly can "cha cha cha" in my living room with this CD!

This CD is perfect, it has some change in tempo and it is easy light happy listening.

Great compilation album -- every track a winner! Wonderful for listening and/or dancing. Flawlessly-recorded, authentic "real deal" Zydeco music!

I bought this CD because my kids (6 and 4 years old) became interested in Zydeco after watching Disney's The Princess and the Frog and listening to the soundtrack practically nonstop. I thought it would be a great way to introduce them to more of the Cajun music that they heard and loved from the movie. We all love it. If you're interested in introducing young people to a new genre of music, this is an excellent choice.

Being new to zydeco music, before ordering, I read the reviews which all seemed favorable. I've found that this cd is like a who's who of zydeco. It is now one of my top all-time favorites and I have a large collection of all types of music- rock, classical, country, pop, jazz, but blues is my favorite and this cd is not just a listen, it's an experience!

I received this CD as a gift, and I love it. I have a 18 month old who begins to dance about when we just say the word Zydeco. This is a fun CD!