Zydeco: Black Creole French Music & Blues 1928-1972

Zydeco is Creole French for something lacking spice – food or gossip – and only came into common use in the 1960s when accordionist Clifton Chenier achieved wide popularity. This thorough double-CD compilation aims to demonstrate zydeco's development from the 1920s to 1970s. That said, there is no direct link to be made between the recordings of Amédé Ardoin in the 1920s and those of Clarence Garlow in the 1950s. The fiddler Ardoin sang in French and played what is now essentially known as Cajun music and, at least to my ears, has little in common with blues artists other than that it was recorded in Mississippi and Texas. Whereas Garlow – and Clifton Chenier – were Creoles whose sound was soaked in the R&B of their time. But such matters can be left to the musicologists; this compilation offers an enjoyable and thorough sampling of black Creole music-making as it took shape. Unfortunately, the compilers cut things off in 1972 and focus largely on Ardoin (who gets seven songs) and Chenier (who gets ten) rather than ranging further and wider. Extensive notes and photos ensure this is a fascinating historic document. But a broader overview – one that demonstrated how zydeco became a hugely popular roots music with myriad practitioners – would have served the music better.