Ralph Quirino | Keswick, Ontario Canada | 05/18/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the ultimate zydeco album and with good reason. It's loaded with non-stop party music that's quick to capture the spirit of the genre (and its geographical importance) with incredible power, passion and soul. The album initially earned top reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone and became an essential title. The ensemble performance is superb: Paul Sénégal's guitar, Cleveland Chenier's rub-board, John Hart's tenor sax, Joe Brouchet's bass and Robert St.Julian's drums all assist and add weight to Le Roi's accordion work. All these cuts are downright classic, too! Check out "Allons A Grand Coteau", "Quelque Chose Sur Mon Idée" or "Ma Mama Ma Dit". It's guaranteed to cure your blues and get you snappin' in no time flat. Remarkably, this music has aged so little since it first appeared on (originally) LP and on CD. It's immediacy is stunning, its performances sharp and the production still solid (the album was originally recorded in 1975). It's why Clifton Chenier (and it's pronouced Shay-nee-ay) ended up being crowned the King... Want only 1 zydeco album? Get this. But, believe me, you'll want more and more and more once you listen to this great disc!"
Great listening!
R. Plemmons | Texas, United States | 12/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My first and favorite Clifton Chenier recording. Very approachable music even for the uninitiated. I agree with a previous reviewer that if you only try one zydeco CD, this should be the one. Clifton is absolutely "the man" when it comes to hard rockin' zydeco accordion music. If "Allons a Grand Coteau" doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will. This is a killer recording and should be in everyone's collection. Don't pass this one up!"
The King of Zydeco
Christopher John | Louisiana | 01/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this record back when I was in school when Clifton was still burning down the house on Saturday nights down here on the bayou. You couldn't help but be taken away by the backbeat groove of this band. Zydeco was initially the black mans cranked up cajun music. Nowadays, it can be heard all over South Louisiana in various forms.
But here is the man who really put it on the map and it still sounds as good today as it did thirty years ago. Just listen to the contemporaries around the South who still move to that beat."
Ride 'Em - Right on!
Christopher John | 09/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Ride 'Em Cowboy" alone would be worth the price of the CD, but this collection has many winners. Highly addictive! To know Clifton Chenier is to love the CD. Not to know him would be shame."