Please, somebody give me a convertible with a good sound system so I can cruise around with Terrance Simien’s Zydeco on the Bayou blastin’—sounds perfect. Don’t get me wrong, dancing around the house to this debut release from Restless Records has been exhilarating, but it’s an album worth sharing, giving it up to the streets.
Now, zydeco purists may not be exactly thrilled with Simien’s multi-influenced approach to the tradition, but unlike some of the recent trends in “modernized” zydeco, the 24-year old accordionist/vocalist doesn’t often dip into the rock world for new ideas. Instead, with a few exceptions, he stays within the Louisiana boundaries and roots music for his blends. It is swamp pop that is given the nod on Simien’s “I’ll Do It All Over Again,” with the vocals way out in front, in the ’50s-style, reminiscent of artists such as Aaron Neville, Sam Cooke and Freddy Fender. It makes sense that the Neville sound is heard here and on several other cuts, as brother Art helps out on synthesizer.
Zydeco is, however, naturally at the forefront when it’s Terrance Simien, and he takes you right into the dancehalls on “Ta Casse Mon Coeur” and “Moi Su Pas Tracasser.” A traditional zydeco art form of duets between accordion and rubboard (a la Clifton and Cleveland Chenier) and that of drums and rubboard taking off unaccompanied is appreciated, and its simplicity really revs things up.
Zydeco on the Bayou also remembers the importance of a good mix of rhythm—even the most ardent dancers sometime like to slow it down, if not sit down. A soulful interpretation of the classic “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” though perhaps an unusual inclusion, takes you to church and makes for a great vehicle for Simien’s expressive warbling and mighty falsetto. In fact, his vocals and the rich vocal harmonies play an important part of the entire release, working together much in the way of reggae masters, particularly on the melodic “The Love We Shared.”
Occasionally the guitar work here jumps rockishly up front, whether by design or in the mix, and tends to overwhelm the cookin’ brewin’ underneath. But Simien seems to have found a certain secret on how to stretch the traditions without straining the fabric, in a fashion similar to the work Los Lobos has incorporated within the Tex-Mex style. This album just roars by in a groove.
