Search - Various Artists, Boozoo Chavis and the Magic Sounds :: Zydeco Live!, V. 1

Perhaps the best place to start exploring zydeco

05/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like many regional folk music genres, zydeco's energy and charm can get lost in formal studio sessions. And even the best performers are prone to repetition--no problem when you're at a live, rump-shaking dance marathon, but an issue when you're listening in your car or living room. This CD solves both of those problems: it's a live recording split between two zydeco masters with distinct styles. The elder (and now late) Chavis is muscular, growly and rough; while younger Nathan delivers a faster, flashier zydeco, featuring Nathan's strange, sweet, nasally voice. The live recording puts you right in the middle of the Richard Club--you'll feel like you're sucking down a longneck and sweating on a hot Louisiana night.
Later in the '90s, the upstart Beau Jocque would give zydeco a strong stylistic kick in the pants, sparking a rap-style war with Chavis, and CDs from that period are worth checking out. But if you're new to zydeco, you should probably start here."

Two greats for the price of one !!

kent kanoy | carrboro, north carolina United States | 07/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"on a sunday night in lawtell,la. at richard's club,nathan williams and boozoo chavis brought down the house.i often wish i had been there but listening to this cd is the next best thing. the young gun,nathan williams,comes out blazing on "everybody calls me crazy" and proceeds to lay down the zydeco that keeps the listener dancing and not caring who's watching.then the old master,boozoo chavis,takes up the challenge and shows why he was one of the kings of zydeco.buy this cd.put this cd on your player.turn it up loud.if your feet don't move,then it's time for the reading of your last will and testament."

Essential zydeco history.

wle | atlanta ga | 01/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this is a good cd.

zydeco is best live.

both bands are hot.

boozoo at the peak of his early modern career,

when he was largely unknown outside SW LA, but a major

deity 'back home'.

nathan was just 'coming up' as they say down there,

he had something to prove.

boozoo just had to show he had it as usual.

both bands are very good on this.

boozoo especially was very energetic on this recording.

get it.

it;s essential zydeco history.

there is another double record like this featuring

willis prudhomme and john delafose, get that one too,

they are a 2 volume set really.

boozoo and john are both gone now, sadly.



wle."