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| Clifton and Cleveland |
After far too long a delay The Blues Collection finally returns with Clifton Chenier (1925 -1987) the self-styled Black French Cajun.
Born in Opelousas in the French speaking part of Louisiana he played the accordion and was known as the king of Zydeco.
On Frenchin' The Blues Clifton and his Red Hot Louisiana Band are recorded performing in Montreaux, Switzerland on 12th July 1975
Clifton also invented the Zydeco Frottoir (Zydeco Rubboard), a distillation of the washboard into essential elements (percussive surface with shoulder straps) designed by Clifton and built by Willie Landry in 1946 and played in the band by his brother Cleveland.
Here are two of Clifton's compositions Marcher Plancher and a red hot Louisiana Two Steps. Anyone foolish enough to attempt to dance to this would require oxygen and strong alcohol once they had finished
Clifton Chenier - Marcher Plancher
Clifton Chenier - Louisiana Two Steps
Aaah, I'm really looking forward to download these when I get home from work later today, CC! Don't know why really, but I've always been a sucker for some good Cajun ever since!
ReplyDeleteBtw: have you ever heard Shuk Richard & His Lousiana Aces' 'Le Cote Farouche De La Vic', a song originally issued as a 78 on the Khoury's Label in the very early 50's? It's pure magic, believe me, and if you're interested I'll mail you a mp3 - file ....
Probably because it is a wee bit punky and anarchaic Dirk
DeleteShuk Richards sounds an interesting character
I've been stuck in Jackson for months now but, my job used to take me to South Louisiana all the time. I love it down there but I've never cottoned on to the Zydeco...to jumpy I guess. Accordions.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny being down there, flippin through the radio and come across these hardcore zydeco stations. I don't know about oxygen but, it seems absolutely essential that you be drunk as Cooter Brown.
I'll eat with 'em though...gladly. In fact I'm peddling some Cajun delicacies this week (Boudin and Crawfish Pies). There are still deep places down there where people don't speak English...can't speak English.
Good to get an update from our Southern cultural correspondent
DeleteI want a zydeco frottoir for christmas. I'll be the coolest bloke in town.
ReplyDeleteWhat's Portuguese for "what the hell has that ginger haired Scottish guy getting dragged by the big hairy dog got strapped onto his chest"?
DeleteAm I the only one who thinks that poor ole' Clifton has rather long arms ...?
ReplyDeletelonger than an oran-utan's, by the looks of that picture
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