Merle Haggard has had the same band of merry musicians for a gob of years... living in Palo Cedro Ca. (up near lake shasta for what he sings about in some of his gravel whiskey songs). One of his guys plays an occasional 10 button just for a differant flair to the sound of the band... Sure it works.... works fine.
For a bit of trivia:
I believe the late Ed Lukenbach (who played Irish on single and double row and also trained French from D. Poullard on single row for what we like) worked with this guy on accordion teaching some licks for the haggard sound on some stuff. Ed was also a heck of a dandy country guitar player and singer (could make angels weep). Ed flipped to Cajun / Creole scene (a natural). He was an exellent front and side musician and a swell guy that was always helpful to struggling wannabe squeezers (likes of me). A real positive icon in my book to be sure (sadly missed).

More than any Haggard:
The band that I always enjoyed, was that of John Couger Mellencamp. Had a gal squeezer accompany the songs which this band put out, and it was unique and high energy with a swampy flair. It was'nt diatonic though (I don't think). What are we talking here late 70's perhaps 80's?? It was a natural!

But Sid! Dude, did you say Doo Wap??
Lord God'a Mercy man, come on now.
Why would you want to toss in an accordion to Doo Wap?... or even Rap Squeezing?
Would you wanna be smooshed in the kisser by big ole beefsteak tomato? How about a flying cabbage in the noggen?

Now I can understand Texas Swing or even Cajun Swing or Cajun Texas Swing with really big hair, that's differant. I can even understand kids ditty songs like twinkle twinkle you know what... but Doo Wap?

I just don't know Sid... You may have something going on there, it's hard to say, hard to say... something that may catch someones attention (I'm thinking) somewhere along the Motown, Chi Town or Philly scene ...but I'd sure be looking out for flying fruits and veggies when it comes to the doo wap followers.. especially when the accordion chimes in! I think they'd be scratching their noodle wondering how in Gods name an accordion weasled into the shoe boop shoe boop doo wap scene, You may need high high home land high security to escape that joint, if you intend to deliver it to an audience on the doo wap channel.

Whew Nelly.. I'd memorize where the back door is located before attempting this infusion (just my thinking)..... hummmm.

Yep, can be done. Travis Matte did a few 70s covers on his first 2 CDs. Check dat.

R!CK

Rick R. Danggggg that's cool. I guess the squeeze box covers all the genres. Cause you responded, tells me you arent froze... Watch out for that ice bro.

Nonc D

Oh it's finally Winter here in Texas, Uncle D... it usually occurs around the first weekend in January and ends promptly on the second weekend, but only during the hours of 6PM and 5AM. This is a little unusual since it has been persistent for over 72 hours. Nice change of pace from the boring 60-degree weather this time of year (not to knock Cali brutha!)

That accordion thing... yeah, seems to fit in a lot of genres of music. I'd like to hear it utilized in reggae (dancehall/ragga-hop) and soca. Guess it's time to send all those unused accordions to Kingston JA, Port Of Spain T&T and Bridgetown Barbados.

Wine ya bumpa to dat!

I've been impressed with how the H-Town area zydeco bands have paired the box with an urban hip-hop flava. Now to open up the rest of the world to the diabolic diatonic! Muh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!

R!CK

Well yeah, about that reggae sound sporting accordion. There is one that incorporates somewhat of a regge connection with accordion to a Zydeco group in Southern Cal.

Theo Bellow and Zydeco Patrol(he's a cousin of Stanley Dural - better known as Buckwheat of Buckwheat Zydeco). Beyond fronting his Zydeco Patrol band on accordion, Theo also plays the steel drums and slips that into his play list and aray of instruments.... Theo is a quite a guy (and showman) who lives down in the San Diego area. He usually giggs the Southern Cal. scene like Dave Sousa. In fact Dave S. may have covered on bass with Theo's band a time or two (how about it Dave?).

Don't freeze your wax there Rick



Nonc

Hi Nonc D,

Yessiree, I am well acquainted with Theo. I have played at the same event with him a good number of times, although I have not actually played in his band. I *almost* did one time. He was on his way to Isleton, and was looking to fill a couple musician slots for those who could not make the trip. He called me up and we were all set to go, but then I heard a funny little voice in my head saying that he had never actually said what instrument he was hoping for me to play. Since I am a bass player, I had assumed he was asking about bass. Anyway, I called him up and it turned out he was looking for a guitar player! Apparently, the person who suggested my name who knew me from numerous gigs was not able to tell the difference between guitar and bass and told Theo I played guitar. Anyway, we got it all straightened out.

But, yes, Theo brings an interesting slant to things with his mix of Louisiana and Carribean influences.

I have been seriously delving into these possibilities myself. I have been spending a lot of time listening to Reggae again, and picking songs that would work in a zyde-reggae crossover style. We'll see what comes of it.

One thing I need to track down again is that Reggae guy who made his mark playing a melodica. At least I think that is what it is called. I had one when I was little. It is a little thing that you blow into like a recorder, but it has a piano type keyboard on it. The use of the melodica was his distinguishing characteristic and you could easily adapt his tunes to an accordion. Anyone remember what his name is?

-David

You may be thinking of Augusto Pablo. Here is a link to everyone & bands that use the melodica. Hope it helps :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melodica_in_music

Augusto Pablo -- I like a lot of the Black Ark Studio stuff he did with Lee Perry back in the 70's for sure. I checked out Theo Bellow's website, too. Good to know about him -- thanks Nonc & Dave!

I certainly don't want to drift too far from the Cajun accordion discussion and into the outer limits of lagniappe regarding reggae -- but that is the music I grew up listening to as an adolescent in the 70's -- back when Marley was still very obscure in the U.S. and you never saw his image on a bumper sticker, a T-shirt at a folk festival, or on a poster in a "lifestyle accessories" store. I met Peter Tosh when I was 16 years old...and have traveled several times to JA as well as twice to T&T.

So I love reggae and *all* Caribbean music. It is this connection -- a Creole connection -- that attracted me to zydeco. But it is remarkable how such an obscure genre of music has risen from a small, sleepy region and has influenced the entire industry in some shape or form. You see where I'm going with this... as it relates to zydeco and Cajun music, eh?

Nowadays, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a dude that looks like a Rasta or hearing a Sean Paul recording playing in the background while waiting in line at Taco Bell.

It's only a matter of time for one of the Houston, Lake Charles, or Lafayette icons to break through into the mainstream. I'm referring more to zydeco here than Cajun. I think zydeco has more "urbanism" to do it; whereas I see Cajun music remaining more into traditional ground (whatever happened to the Bluerunner's debut direction?!!) I think it's going to take a lot of edginess and hip, pop-centric genius to hit the Billboard, but I think it is possible.

While there are some LA artists that have copped a reggae or ska groove on one of their tunes in their set list, I'd like to hear JA and T&T artist integrate the diatonic into their repertoire. Linton Kwesi Johnson did a fine example of this on his track, "Di Good Life" on his "Tings An' Times" release, circa 1991. In more recent times, St. Vincentian, Kevin Lyttle featured accordion on a tune called, "Jimmy Johnny." But that's relatively it. Maybe the modern riddim moguls, Steely & Cleeve will sample a Andre Thierry lick and BOOM! Beyonce, Fergie and Rhianna would do their things over the top of it. That's one way to look at it.

Bon Runnin's,

R!CK

I'm not sure I know enough about reggae and ska to tell the difference ( anyone enlighten me? ), but there was an interesting thread a couple of years back about ska drummers ( and maybe bassists?) adapting easier to Zydeco than rock or blues drummers do. Anyone remember that?

BJ

I think it's hard to define reggae since there's so many sub-genres within it now -- dancehall, roots, dubwise, lover's rock, raggahop, dub-poetry... the list goes on. I think, speaking for the public, it more-or-less conjures up the music of Bob Marley -- classic. Just like using the word "zydeco" makes most people think of Cliff or Buck.

Ska is really a different animal, albeit considered a form of reggae. Also known as Rock Steady, Two-tone and Bluebeat. It's what happened to Jamaican music in the late 50's and early 60', once the Jamaicans got American R&B and Jump Blues in their hands. It isn't that far removed from New Orleans R&B.

Ska is really very old-school reggae. We're talking the way reggae began, which was influenced by American artist like Sam Cooke, Chubby Checker, Louis Jordan and Fats Domino. If you listen to some early Toots & The Maytals, this is where ska -- and "reggay" was defined, in my opinion. It doesn't have the "one drop" drowsy rhythm of Marley's reggae; moreover it is quicker -- "choppier" perhaps. Check out vintage releases by Alton Ellis and Desmond Dekker, the Skatalites -- even UB40's first release was ska-heavy.

To get the best idea with a bit of a modern (and English) twist, you can go back to the late 70's and early 80's new wave era, and listen to The Specials, The Selector, Madness, and Bad Manners to hear straight-forward ska music. Horns (sax and trombone) play a big role in ska.

Ska rhythm and style really lends itself VERY well to new-school zydeco. I'm referring a lot to the way the guitar and bass is played. You hear this similar style all over nouveau zydeco -- check out some of Lil' Porter & The Zydeco Hustler's stuff for some excellent examples of what I'm talking about. Also, Keith Frank's CD, "You'd Be Surprised" is another strong example.

One step beyond!

R!CK

That's a very clear and concise explanation, Rick. Thanks for clarifying.
I'm pleased to have my vague notions confirmed. That is, I knew, of course, that Marley was reggae, and I thought that Madness and the Specials were at least Ska influenced. I like that stuff, although I've never bought any.

So basically, reggae is kinda laid back, and ska is lively, choppier stuff - more dance inspiring?

So where would you try to find a drummer for older style zydeco - Boozoo, Zydeco Joe, Delafoses etc?

BJ

Thanks for the props, BJ -- I love to write and I type fast! I can be verbose, according to recipients of my emails.

Finding a drummer for zydeco (old or new school) is tough -- REALLY tough -- if you're not down in the Golden Triangle. I've had a heck of a time over the years here in the DFW area. Nine times outta ten, I've had to "make my own." You might try finding an existing band that you like and asking them if you can swing by their next rehearsal. Make sure you ask what brand of beer they like.

Well, that's just one way. Another is to peruse the bulletin boards at your local music shop, i.e., Guitar Center, etc. Also, you might try one of the on-line musician boards -- I've had some moderate success on musicians.net.

The bottom line is, find a drummer that is not shy about hitting the skins with some power. Zydeco is dance music, and the drums are crucial; just as crucial as the bass. That's what gets the audience on their feet. Attempting to use a country western drummer has been disappointing in my experience. I know there's some top-notch c&w drummers out there, but the one's I've auditioned never hit hard enough -- I guess they do something like "cocktail country."

My suggestion is to find a pop-rock drummer. My drummer, Champagne Johnny, came from that background and I've never been disappointed. He's the best drummer I've ever played with. I met him back in '96 when he was in a rock cover band. Cover band drummers are a good choice since they can pick-up a variety of styles quickly. And what cover band drummer wouldn't want to break out of that mold and do something different, eh?! Even if they are zydeco covers, it sure beats Mustang Sally and Freebird anyday!

Good luck Brutha John,

R!CK

rock drummers should be able to handle the
'hit it hard' part

you just have to convince them not to play
a million fills and flourishes

and that there is a subtlety to the timing

the answer to 'is this a shuffle or a straight?'
isn;t always black and white

sometimes it;s just flat 'wrong' but sounds great
the drummer will be straight and the
lead [accordion or vocal] will be
stretched and shuffling all over the place

keith frank 'creole music' [the song]
from the 'masked band' cd, is a good example of this


wle.

Thanks Rick and Larry - that's all very sound advice for which I'm grateful.

Seems to me that, while you can play Cajun on your own ( box or fiddle ) and only need the backing of a good rhythm guitarist to entertain an audience, or even dancers, Zydeco is totally different, in that you need to be a band. So my own enthusiasm is not enough - I need like minded musicians to even get off the ground.

Going back to Ska, Rick - after I'd read your explanation, I was trying to remember what The Specials sounded like - kind of picturing sax players on - stage antics ( Madness were a visually entertaining band, and I imagine the rest could not help jigging about on stage ). A tune came into my head which I knew wasn't from those bands - must be something in my own collection. Found it on a compilation I was given. Beau Jocque - Pop That Coochie. Which neatly illustrates the Ska/Zydeco similarity. ( Well, it seemed so to me - whaddya think? )

BJ

Pop that Coochie is definitely a different groove -- a little slower rhythm than a lot of other zydeco. It has more of that line-dance groove. I could see a ska band picking up on that tune and squirting a little octane in it, while distilling Beau's simple, punchy riffs into a horn section. Gah'dang that would be purdy cool! Pshaw! Yeah-ah! "Attention all ska bands, attention all ska bands... Pop That Coochie, would ya!?"

Ha! Like they are even reading this post! LOL!

As far as entertaining folks using a bare-boned zydeco strategy, i.e., no electric band. If you ask me, it has all the rhythm necessary to be as acoustic as you want, "front porch-style" bay-bay! Heard it done that way many times. An acoustic guitar makes it just as nice as a Cajun jam. Percussion instruments work well acousically too, but I wouldn't recommend the frottoir with metal strikers -- plastic Lexan spoons do the trick there, and having someone beating on an upside-down cardboard box with some metal spoons will add a nice rhythm, too. Seen it done in full effect, right in my own kitchen -- on both a Cajun box and a triple-row. Talk about fun!

Good stuff, BJ...

R!CK

Rick - I never cease to be amazed at the bottomless reservoir of info and tricks we can all pick up on this board. The stuff about acoustic zydeco is very valuable and has me looking at it a different way.
What are Lexan spoons? Just the white plastic canteen type spoons? or something else? I know the whole gist of your post is improvisation, but just thought I'd ask!

Glad you liked the Pop That Coochie suggestion.

Going to see Leon Chavis next weekend. You know him? What dya reckon to him? What relation to Boozoo, if any, is he?

BJ

lexan plastic spoons indeed a quiet form to be sure... AH Fiddle Sticks!

Who here has ever seen or heard of fiddle Sticks??

Great expression as a saying.... but, fiddle sticks do exist for real, though perhaps rarely used.

Yeah, Nonc- I've seen fiddle sticks on a couple of occasions. Can't remember who. One might have been a Dutch or French band.

But I still don't know what Lexan spoons are. Are they those joined together cheating spoons?

BJ

Just looked back and Rick said plastic Lexan spoons - so I'm none the wiser.

The New Riverside Ramblers, our CFMA Award Winning Cajun band in the Twin Cities, plays a song where the drummer uses fiddlesticks, two thin sticks, played against the fiddle as the fiddle player plays a song. It's a percussion thing. Really does exist.

leon chavis is the son of joe chavis,
who was boozoo's brother.

about acoustic zydeco, go for it,
but to me, that music is about a
full electric band pulling
together like 5 locomotives hauling
a floor full of dancers to
nirvana


'lexan' usually refers to
plexiglas [in the UK]

wle.

You can purchase a lexan (allegedly "unbreakable" plastic) cutlery set at your local camping gear outfitter. BTW, I've managed to break 'em. It's tough, but it CAN be done! They are usually sold in a set (fork, spoon and knife), but it's the spoons that are best to use on a frottoir -- in a low-volume setting. Whether that's acoustic or just, let's say, the "dinner" portion of a private party gig. When they're done eatin', ya crank up the PA and switch to the paint can openers!

The plasticware is also great in rehearsal. I rehearse with a drummer that has electronic drums (for rehearsals only) and my rubboard player will use the lexan spoons on the rubboard so we don't squint as much!

S'all good...

R!CK

Thanks Guys -that's cleared up all my loose ends. Now I can sleep at night!

Joe Chavis will be backing Leon this weekend. The rest of the band are some very competent Brits - yes, there are some! Actually, I do the bass player a dis-service. I think it'll be Vera van Heeringen, from the Netherlands.

Leon is doing the accordion workshop.

Can't wait!

BJ

Getting back to the reggae discusion for a minute, I saw Horace Trahan last year at the Blue Moon saloon for Mardi Gras and they did a few reggae tunes which I thought were awsome. They really had the place jammin and the political basis on some were right on. It may have been a turn off for some, expecting different Horace style , but I thought it was great to have in the set. I would consider buying an album with some of that on it if he would put it out.