Terrance Simien
POSITIVELY
BEADHEAD
Tone-Cool - 1173
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This is easily one of the best things Terrance Simien has recorded that I have heard. It is a smooth and flowing disc that has many of the rough edges of his energy knocked off without diminishing that same energy. This is some accomplishment and I am not sure how he pulled it off. He does some of the finest vocals I have heard him do. The passion is strong in his voice and there is a seasoned maturity here that replaces the flaming rawness that reigned before. Having just seen him do a fantastic set at Jazz Fest that had the crowd up and roaring, I can attest to the fact he has not lost any of his energy. He was bounding and dancing all over the stage and then out into the massed throng for some crowd surfing like his usual self. He puts so much of his self into his shows I don't know how he has anything left over. People talk about the King of Zydeco, and I'm not sure why there is a mantle like that, but this man must be considered right along with all the others who would lay claim to that throne. He has grown so much, and in so many ways, in the years that I have seen him, but with the release of this disc there is a quantum leap foreword in his singing. No, he is no longer the wild 20 something year old I first saw playing his accordion while doing black flips on stage, but he is presenting the songs ( he wrote or co-wrote 8 of the 12) in a total and much tighter fashion. This band has been with him for years and they are tight and playing better than ever. They stay with him and provide the support that allows him to take the chances he does. Plus at this time there seems to be a real dedication to the family, happiness, and getting a handle on all of the twists and turns that life presents. Many of his songs seem to be reflections along these lines. Listen to his beautiful love song ALL HER LOVIN, or maybe you want to give a listen to the thoughts and revelations expressed in GRANDMA'S HOUSE. I was surprised by the overall beauty of this disc see what he does with the standard 500 MILES, as he brings that song back to life. Terrance Simien has always been more associated with a burst of sheer energy in my mind, rather than playing with the subtleties of
a song. Listen up here and go grab this to hear one of the finest Zydeco discs to come down the pike in a long time and it represents a giant step toward a very bright future for this fine musician.
Produced by - Terrance Simien
Songs, times and writers
1 ALL HER LOVIN' - 3:38 - T. Simien, D. Williams, P. Cebar
2 PARADISE - 4:03- T. Simien, D. Williams, P. Cebar
3 MARDI GRAS IN THE COUNTRY - 5:01 - T. Simien
4 THIS OLD ROAD - 5:40 - T. Simien, D. Williams
5 GRANDMA'S HOUSE - 5:59 - T. Simien, D. Williams
6 500 MILES - 4:23 - Hedy West
7 LA NEUVILLE DANSE - 3:29 - T. Simien, D. Williams
8 JOLIE BLONDE - 6:08 - traditional, arrangement T. Simien
9 SAME DOG - 5:17 - T. Simien, D. Williams, P. Cebar
10 MACQUE CHOUX - 3:19 - T. Simien, D. Williams
11 KEEP ON SMILIN' - 6:02 - J. Anthony, J.V. Hall Jr., J.R. Hall Jr., M.Hirsh, L. Ross
12 SHAKE YOUR TAMBOURINE - 4:16 - G. Tillman
Musicians
Terrance Simien - accordion, vocals
Danny Williams - keyboards, vocals
Dowell Davis - drums, vocals
Ralph Fontenot - frottoir (rubboard)
Wayne Dalcourt - guitar
Harold Scott - bass on 500 MILES and LA NEUVILLE DANSE
Nick Lewis - bass
Nicole "Nicky" Yarling - violin on all songs but 500 MILES and LA NEUVILLE DANSE