Spins: Clifton Chenier/The Rolling Stones featuring Steve Riley
Clifton Chenier/The Rolling Stones featuring Steve Riley
Zydeco Sont Pas Salés
Valcour/Arhoolie/Smithsonian Folkways
This 7” vinyl single is a six-minute getaway to the Big Easy by way of London and a tribute by some surprising acolytes of Creole and Cajun music. King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier’s original single occupies the A-side. “Zydeco et Pas Salés” was first released in 1965 and included on Chenier’s full-length debut Louisiana Blues and Zydeco. The title is drawn from a phrase that translates to “snap beans and no salt,” which is used to express getting by on the bare minimum. Chenier’s arrangement leans on his lively accordion and his brother Cleveland’s rubboard, and the single gave a name to the burgeoning genre of zydeco music itself. The B-side features “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés,” a new version led by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones with a band of standout Louisiana musicians including accordionist Steve Riley and singers Ivan Neville and CC Adcock. Chenier’s longtime drummer Robert St. Julien keeps the ensemble stepping lively. Jagger discovered Chenier’s initial album 60 years ago on the Rolling Stones’ 1965 US tour and has carried the torch for the music ever since. The Stones’ take the key down, adding twanging blues riffage and Jagger’s wailing harmonica. St. Julien’s drums goose the tempo and beef up the backup, sending Riley’s accordion dancing while Jagger sings in throaty Creole French. It’s a blast of fun and a love note to zydeco timed with Chenier’s 100th birthday, infused with signature Stones touches. Smithsonian Folkways offers a new box set called Clifton Chenier: King of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco this Fall. The Stones track will appear on A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco from Valcour.
– Jeff Elbel
7 of 10
