This is a zydeco CD by one of the best zydeco bands playing today. For those unfamiliar with zydeco, it is a mix of Cajun, Blues, and Rock ‘n’ Roll, originating in southwest Louisiana and popular from New Orleans to Houston. Bands consist of a drummer, electric bass, and a “rub board” (a modified wash board with shoulder straps, played with spoons or bottle cap openers) player. The front man always plays an old-fashioned accordian. Most zydeco bands come from Lafayette, Opalousas, or Lake Charles, Louisiana (and small towns in between). The zydeco bands play on weekends in big old wooden dance halls or outside at trail rides, usually on Sundays.

To its fans, zydeco music exists solely as a vehicle for zydeco dancing. No one applauds after songs, the musicians earning their gratitude from the number people on the dance floor. At any given time, 60-70% of the audience is dancing. No air conditioning. A few barn fans on a humid August night in Louisiana is the most one can hope for. Some couples wear hand towels on their belts to wipe their brows between dances. A surprise to outsiders, who are used to most men “retiring” from dancing when they get married, are the southwestern Louisiana men who like zydeco dancing as much, if not more, than the women do! With a heavy bass beat, it is very rhythmic and usually very up-tempo. There’s a distinctive and tricky dance step with many individual styles, from very physical “dirty dancing” thigh-humping, to splits, to lifting women in the air. Bands at the dance halls play from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., performing a continuous string of three-minute songs with 5-10 seconds between them (can’t let the dancers to get restless), and no breaks!

Most people outside of Louisiana, if they are familiar with zydeco at all, usually only get to see the touring bands, such as Buckwheat Zydeco, C.J. Chenier, Terrance Simien, Chubby Carrier, and Wayne Toups, who, while all hailing from southwestern Louisiana, play a very “rocked up” version of zydeco. Their audiences are more familiar with rock and may not know what to make of the more pure form of zydeco played in southwestern Louisiana, so the touring bands give them what they want. The notable exception is Geno Delafose.

Everybody’s Dancin’ is one of the strongest zydeco CDs in some time, with many well-written, original songs. I’d also recommend Save The Last Dance, by Chris Ardoin. Other “traditional” zydeco artists of note are Keith Frank, Step Rideau, Roy Carrier, and the late Boozoo Chavis, Beau Jocque, and the father of zydeco, Clifton Chenier.

Zydeco isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but its fans love the joyous feel of the music, the dancing, and the zydeco atmosphere.

Jimmy Burns sings Southside Chicago blues, which is known for its R&B/soul style, with less emphasis on guitar solos and more emphasis on the lead singer. Jimmy’s got a great voice and the songs on this CD are particularly good.  He has played the Up & Under, on Brady, and plays at a number of clubs in Chicago.

This is a recent release by Mississippi “hill country” blues artist, R.L. Burnside.  It’s a live recording, which really captures the raw energy of Mississippi “Hill Country” blues, which is raw, driving, and has what’s been called a hypnotic effect, which is distinctive from delta and Chicago styles.  R.L. was one of the two main acts who performed at the late Junior Kimbrough’s country juke, which burned down 2 years ago.  It was one of the last pure juke joints and the scene of Sunday night partying, moonshining and dirty dancing.   It’s one of the best examples of contemporary Mississippi blues, along with Big Jack Johnson, and T-Model Ford.  Best listened to on a Friday night with a few beers (or moonshine, if available).