The Rough Guide to Cajun & Zydeco

Compiler Herman Fuselier – a writer and broadcaster in Opelousas, Louisiana – states that not one of the artists on this CD is over 45. Which means this is a compilation of southern Louisiana roots music that looks to the future. Horace Trahan – a Cajun star who controversially switched to zydeco (a more R&B influenced sound than traditional Cajun music) – opens with the dynamic ‘Same Knife Cut the Sheep Cut the Goat’. Feufollet, the young Cajun band who made such an impression on audiences at WOMAD and Cambridge Folk Festival last summer, are also here with ‘Femme L’a Dit’. Cedric Watson, the young black accordion and fiddle player, is represented by a live recording of ‘Afro Zydeco’. Watson’s former band, The Pine Leaf Boys, is present, as is Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys. Alongside these names there are the likes of Geno Delafose and Bonsoir Catin, musicians many won’t have heard before. Youthful the artists may be but most stick pretty closely to tradition – Fuselier has refrained from picking zydeco artists who work with rappers or the plentiful novelty songs that sell well. Not every track is outstanding – Lil Nathan’s ‘Come Back To Me’ fails to marry a contemporary R&B ballad with zydeco while Jamie Bergeron’s ‘10 to a 2’ is limp Cajun country. There’s also a great bonus CD by 2011 Grammy winners Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band.