Way Down in Louisiana: Clifton Chenier, Cajun, Zydeco, and Swamp Pop Music

Way Down in Louisiana: Clifton Chenier, Cajun, Zydeco, and Swamp Pop Music by Mouton, Todd. paperback edition. ISBN: 9781935754732.

"If youre a fan of Creole or Cajun music, this will be your bible." - No Depression This book is about the mysteries of the soul - and the magic born when you make music from your heart. With Clifton Cheniers amazing life and career as the centerpiece, this collection of profiles gathered across two decades unites some of the worlds most innovative creative forces. The propulsive, soulful sounds of Buckwheat Zydeco, the virtuosic blues-rock of Sonny Landreth, and the accordion-and-fiddle-driven bayou backbeat of BeauSoleil were all birthed in Cajun and Creole country, a place where tradition and innovation rub against one another from the kitchen to the festival stage. Singer-songwriter, poet, and activist Zachary Richard; traditionalists-turned-innovators Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys; and cross-genre artists Roddie Romero & The Hub City All-Stars are among the many gifted players spearheading their cultures ongoing reinventions. In words, images, and music, the lives of these artists and culture-bearers speak volumes about the power of identity, influence, perserverance, and triumph. From Lil Band O Gold to Bonsoir, Catin and beyond, these artists make music that resonates in the hearts of listeners everywhere. These are their stories.