Corey Ledet Zydeco
Nouveau Electric, 2021
9/10
This 14th album from the Zydeco sensation Corey Ledet offers his exceptional talent on drums, accordion, washboard and vocals, where all the hallmarks of music from Louisiana are present, as ragtime, jazz, blues, Creole and bebop, among others, are part of his inimitable formula.
“This Is All I Want” starts the listen with upbeat and dance friendly accordion acrobatics that are plenty festive and highly melodic as Ledet’s pipes soar high amid gospel nods, and “Buchanan Ledet Special” pays homage to Zydeco’s first drummer and his grandfather, where plenty of soul and rhythm comprise the infectious climate.
An album where each track is the highlight, “On A Roll” recruits some ska influence amid strong drumming in the feel good atmosphere, while “Flip Flop And Fly” rocks and rolls with a timeless spirit that sounded as great in the ‘50s (when it was first recorded) as it does today. “It’s Gonna Be Alright”, a particularly noteworthy tune, then recruits some of the best singing along with proficient organ and an immediate sing-along quality that you can’t help but enjoy.
The listen exits with “Mo Mank (I Miss)” and “Arét Tu Trin (Stop Your Noise)”, where the former is a cultured waltz alongside plenty of breezy dynamics, and the latter is a playful and memorable finish that makes great use of a washboard in its firm Zydeco landscape.
It’s no surprise that Ledet has been Grammy nominated, and together with Cecil Green, Lee Allen Zeno, Grant Dermody, Julian Primeaux and Gerard Delafose, this body of work could land him with equal or even more amount of praise.
Travels well with: Michot’s Melody Makers- Cosmic Cajuns From Saturn; Rebirth Brass Band- Move Your Body