In recent years the zydeco world was rocked by losing two of it's leading lights- Beau Jocque, who represented zydeco's "new school" and Boozoo Chavis representing the "old school." If anyone is destined pick up the torch my money goes to Sean Ardoin who's national debut, Pullin', is one of the most exciting zydeco records I've heard in a long time.

 Sean Ardoin literally has the music in his blood with a legacy that goes back to his great-grand-uncle Amede who recorded "Two-Step de Eunice" and "Quoi Faire" back in 1929, songs that still remain dancehall classics. He's already made his mark with his brother Chris and his band Double Clutchin' on 2000's sizzling Best Kept Secret one of the year's best zydeco records. Now stepping out front with his band ZydeKool, Sean has delivered a breakthrough record stretching the music's boundaries into new and exciting territory.

 Sean Ardoin & ZydeKool unleash a relentlessly high energy brand of zydeco that's not only innovative but is also sure to keep the dance floor packed. Most zydeco records have a hard time putting across the raw excitement of a live show by Ardoin and the band come very close. This is high octane zydeco for the 21st century mixing in the traditional zydeco sound with rock, blues, funk and just about everything else but the kitchen sink. Frontman Ardoin keeps things popping with his soulful singing and manic accordion runs backed by a rocking band that sound like their having as much fun as the audience- maybe more! Pullin' bounces along with a breathless uptempo groove that never stops on an all original set including the new school anthem "ZydeKool Rollin'", the blazingly tough "Shut 'Em Down", "New School/Old School" which neatly sums up where the band's coming from, the infectious R&B feel of "Creole Girl" and the throbbing "Freaky Deaky." There's hardly a weak moment anywhere as the band locks into a deep groove that sounds like it could keep the party going on forever.

 There's no doubt that Sean Ardoin and his band ZydeKool will be zydeco's next big stars with a firm grasp on the music's roots while taking it boldly into the future. Easily the most exciting zydeco record to come along sine I first heard the great Beau Jocque's records in the early 90's.

(Jeff Harris)

Charlie Musselwhite: One Night In America
(Telarc)

 Charlie Musselwhite has been a fixture in the San Francisco Bay area for many years but before heading West he got his musical education in Memphis. One Night In America is a look back at his Memphis experience drawing on the city's diversity to deliver a very roots oriented record.

 When he was in high school Musselwhite's family moved from Mississippi to Memphis. As a teenager he read Sam Charter's groundbreaking book "Country Blues" and sought out to meet some of the local artist mentioned. He began playing with legends like Furry Lewis, Will Shade and Gus Cannon. In Memphis' musical melting pot he heard blues, gospel and hillbilly on the radio; he heard gospel at tent meetings and work songs in the fields. It's this experience that Musselwhite seeks to recreate on One Night In America an eclectic mix of blues, country and roots music. The concept is certainly a good one, and Musselwhite's never been shy about trying new things, however the results are decidedly mixed.

 Musselwhite himself sounds as good as ever remaining one of the most distinctive harp blowers on the scene and his trademark world weary vocals are equally effective. Backing Charlie is a solid band featuring long time friend Robben Ford on guitar, Marty Stuart and G.E. Smith also on guitars and a rhythm section of Per Hanson on drums and T-Bone Wolk on bass. Things start off strong with the rocking "Trail Of Tears", a shuffling cover of Ivory Joe Hunter's country tinged "Cold Grey Light Of Dawn" and the excellent uptempo "Blues Overtook Me" with Musselwhite really blowing up a storm. Things go off track after the first three tunes partly because of the material which doesn't really suite Musselwhite's style as on tepid songs like "In A Town This Size" and "Rank Strangers To Me" and partly because of Christine Ohlman's vocals which don't quite fit the Memphis vibe the band is striving for. More successful are a couple of songs toward the end including a fine reading of Johnny Cash's "Big River" and the driving bluesy instrumental "I'll Meet You Over There."

 You can always count on Musselwhite for some fine playing and for throwing some unexpected twists at the listener, both of which can be found on One Night In America. Still it's hard not to feel that fine opportunity was muddled on this latest release which really should have ignited a few more sparks.

(Jeff Harris)

Various Artists: Lowdown, Dirty, Mississippi Delta Blues
(Stand On the Ocean Records)
Various Artists: Let It Be Real (Stand On the Ocean Records)

 Stand on the Ocean Records is a new label committed to recording live roots music right at the source. This undiluted, warts and all approach is captured on the label's first two releases both recorded live in the Mississippi Delta. Lowdown, Dirty, Mississippi Delta Blues collects a batch of tough local blues artists caught live in the Mississippi juke joints while Let It Be Real captures a dozen fiery gospel performances taped in local churches.

 The seven artists featured on Lowdown, Dirty, Mississippi Delta Blues were captured live in juke joints like the Walnut St. Bait Shop and the Sandbar Lounge and the music has a tough, raw exciting feel that captures the atmosphere very well. The best known artist is Willie Foster who's shared the stage with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Rogers and many others and performed all over the world. Foster passed away last year and the two cuts here are among his last recordings. Foster and his Blues Upsetters rock the house on the stomping "Are You Ready For The Blues" and "Know We Love You" with Foster blowing some powerful amplified harmonica. Big T & The Family Band feature Clarksdale veteran Terry "Big T" Williams backed by his sons on two lowdown cuts with great versions of "Black Night" and the Delta classic "Catfish Blues." Other highlights include the Ladies Choice Band featuring the fine pipes of Bobby Whalen particularly on the shuffling "You Can't lose With The Stuff I Use", a pair of fine cuts by Micky Rogers who's toured with Tyrone Davis and Bobby Rush and Guitar Charlie, who's played with Little Milton and Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes and stretches out on two cuts including the ominous blues of "I Want To Go Home."

 If church sounded anything like the recordings on Let It Be Real I'd never have a problem getting up on Sunday mornings. The nine groups on this collection play in a variety of styles but all share a raw edged passion that's sadly lacking in most contemporary gospel. Like the above collection all these groups are homegrown products recorded live at the Travelers Rest Church and Moorhead and Christ Temple in Cleveland, Mississippi. Highlights include a pair of numbers by the Gospel Lites including the rousing "Let It Be Real" and God's Messengers featuring a excellent gravely voiced lead singer on the funky "Hold On" and the storming eleven minutes of "God Is Good." Other highlights include the very bluesy Delta Country Boy on the rocking, harmonica driven "This Train", Sarah Blair & The New Life Singers on the moving "You Ought To Live", William McGhee & Greenwood Jubilee on the tough, bluesy "You Gotta Move" and Aurther Strong Jr. delivering a strong message on "Hang Up Your Hangups."

 Stand on the Ocean Records has delivered a the perfect antidote to the slick, overproduced music we are constantly bombarded with. Both these excellent collections deliver music that's the real deal straight from Mississippi proving that classic Delta blues and gospel are still alive and well.

-Check out this related link:
Stand on the Ocean Records Website

(Jeff Harris)