UNSALTED BEANS

IT'S ZYDECO TIME!

La Blusa: Les Haricots Sont Pas Salés
Blues on the River 2008

There are two expressions that are typically tied to Zydeco: "Les haricots sont pas salés" (beans are unsalted) and "Laissez les bons temps rouler" (let's the good times roll). Cajun expressions Louisiana Blacks acquired from their French speaking neighbors, as much as they acquired their language and their music.

So, as soon as amplification became available for for black musicians, Cajun music became Zydeco. A more rocking, rythmic kind of music than the originating Accadian kind that I discovered in the late sixties. Both Cajun and Zydeco. And here, from the founding father Clifton Chenier to Rockin' Dopsie, form Boozoo Chavis to Queen Ida until Clifton's son, C. J. Chenier, you'll find a few examples:

Clifton Chenier

I'm A Hog For You, JazzFest 1977

Boozoo Chavis

Johnny Billy Goat

Rockin' Dopsie & The Zydeco Twisters

Louisiana Two Step/Keep-A-Knockin', 1984

Queen Ida & The Bon Temps Zydeco Band

Rosa Majeur

C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band

I'm Coming Home

Bow Legged Woman
The German Club, Pawtucket RI February, 2006

Jambalaya,
with Jim Porter on the rubboard

So, here we go for today's post. See ya next time, and don't forget to "Laissez le bon temps rouler"!