Audio of the Week--Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco
RSSFrom SLJ January 2005
Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton, OH -- School Library Journal, 01/03/2005
1 CD. 50:29 min. Prod. by Terrance Simien Music. Dist. by AV Café. 2003, 2004 release. $10.
Gr all levels-Grab your accordion and frattoir (washboard) and get ready to do a Cajun Two-Step! Accordion player Terrance Simien taps into his Creole roots to share his love for both Zydeco music and the Creole culture in this offering. A mix of Zydeco standards ("Midland Two-Step") and new music penned by Simien ("Wishin' to Go Crawfishin'") covers a wide range, from the sweet a cappella "Song of a Creole Slave" to the upbeat "Oldest Living Tree" to the swinging "Oh My Lucille." Simien and his band perform these well-paced selections with precision. Fellow Creole State Senator Donald Cravins introduces each musical selection with background information, setting the stage and mood for the music. Cravins' rich baritone resonates and his Cajun accent flavors a well-researched, thoughtful text written to build understanding of the culture. This fine introduction to the Native American/French/African/Spanish culture that exists in Southwestern Louisiana fills a void. An excellent choice for collections about Creole/South Louisiana culture as well as for music educators.
