Search - Beau Jocque :: I'm Coming Home

Beau Jocque I'm Coming Home: A Tribute to The Zydeco Giant

Paule T. Pachter | North Bellmore, New York USA | 08/02/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The title of this latest release by Beau Jocque and The Zydeco Hi-Rollers is indeed poignant. I'm Coming Home represents the final musical chapter recorded by Beau Jocque and released just seven months after his untimely passing.Mardi Gras Records has joined with Beau's widow, Michelle Espre to celebrate his musical past and to treat fans to a new beginning for one of the best Zydeco bands on earth. I'm Coming Home is a compilation of early material previously recorded by Beau Jocque and The Zydeco Hi-Rollers that also contains several tracks recorded by the band following the passing of their enormous leader.The album opens with the band's 1993 extended play single, "Nursery Rhymes" which features Jocque and drummer Steve "Skeeta" Charlot in rare Hi-Roller form, bantering back and forth as they create musical magic to some of our beloved childhood rhymes in this Zydeco original. What follows is five classic tracks produced by Jocque himself including, outrageous productions on "Beau Jocque Makes You Jump," "Puddy Cat," and once again the Giant's ability to turn his cover of Fernest Arcenaux's "Zydeco Boogaloo" into his own.The album also contains some well produced material by The Zydeco Hi-Rollers including, "She Keeps Holding On" (a tribute to Michele Espre's determination to keep Beau's musical vision alive), "Hi-Roller's Zydeco" and "Hi-Roller's In Town" which feature the added talents of Jeffery Broussard and Jo Jo Reed.The album concludes with Beau Jocque's gripping blues rendition of the Clifton Chenier classic, "I'm Coming Home." One can't help but feel extremely saddened by the loss that has come upon the Zydeco community with the passing of this musical Giant.The challenge for The Zydeco Hi-Rollers with the release of I'm Coming Home rests in their ability to transcend their leader's legend. Their musical capabilities as a band are immense. However, it is a challenge for the band to deliver their sound without the enormous voice that is Beau Jocque. Clearly, I'm Coming Home is an album of promise. But, it is also a statement by The Zydeco Hi-Rollers that in their grief they will continue to keep the Beau Jocque sound alive and musically prevail in the Kingdom of Zydeco.I'm Coming Home is a gift to fans of Beau Jocque and The Zydeco Hi-Rollers. The effort is a labor of love by the band and Michelle Espre who worked closely with great talents in the industry including producers Warren Hildebrand and Jerry Embree to make sure that the Zydeco Giant's legend lives on. Clearly they have all succeeded on this four-pepper release in making sure that fans of Beau Jocque and The Zydeco Hi-Rollers can take pride in the past and still see the promise of the future."

Saving the Best For Last

renisncman | Chicago, IL USA | 07/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""I'm Coming Home" is Beau Jocque's best and final piece of work. The Zydeco giant died in September 1999, but his family and friend put together this album as a tribute to the man who put Zydeco in the spotlight, but never received the fame he so justly deserved.The wonderful liner notes by Michael Tisserand tell the history of Beau Jocque and the Zydeco High Rollers. Some may prefer his earlier works, but for me this album is the perfect mix of old and new. It is a real treat to hear the members of the Zydeco High roller both old and new. This album features Beau Jocque's previously unreleased "zydeco nursery rhymes" which are about as novel as they come. "She Keeps Holding On" is a wonderful trubine to the late giant's wife Michelle. "I'm Coming Home" is the best track on the album, fitting it that he saved his best for last.Beau Jocque will be missed by his family, friends, and fans. This last album keeps his music alive for those of us who missed his final live performance."