Terrance Simien
The Tribute Sessions
AIM 5009
Released – 2001
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This is the finest disc that has come across my desk in ages. It is honest and straight from the heart. Normally I do not like discs that have talking about the songs or the reasons for doing the songs and will pass over the spoken word. This is not the case here, it is partially Terrance’s voice, his obvious love and veneration for these people, and the sincerity of these emotions comes through (besides some of these vignettes draw wonderful pictures). Most important is the material presented, and this is done with that energy and feeling for which this artist is known. He takes songs from those who have inspired and/or helped him, and are no longer with us, and he does them in a way that is a tribute to the artist and the song. There are many surprises, some concerning the artists (I never would have guessed he would include a song by A.P. Carter). Some concerning the songs he chooses by the artist may not be their best known ones, however there is no surprise as to the quality of the music presented. He does such a fantastic job on Sam Cooke’s, Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day, that I had trouble initially getting past it in on the disc, until I discovered the gems following it. There is not a weak song here. I don’t know that I can single any song out because as I tried to do that I kept saying but what about the Band/Rick Danko’s cut, or… or…. I played this for some friends who don’t like Zydeco as "it all sounds the same", and they were stunned, and then annoyed that they couldn’t get a copy the next day. This is that rare disc that transcends all genre of music and stands solid to repeated playing as it is music from the heart, and if anything only gets better and better.
Produced by Terrance Simien and Danny Williams
Songs, times (not given), and artists – Tracks 1,2,4,7,9,12,15,17,19 & 21 are narration by Terrance Simien
1 Les Barres De La Prison (The Prison Bars) – Canray Fontenot
5 If It’s Good For The Gander – Rockin’ Sidney Simien
6 My Toot Toot - Rockin’ Sidney Simien
8 Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day – Sam Cooke
10 I’m Coming Home – Clifton Chenier
11 Zydeco Cha Cha – Clifton Chenier
13 Joe Pete Got Two Women – John Delafose
14 One Hour Too Late - John Delafose It Make
16 It Makes No Difference – The Band/Rick Danko
18 That Was Your Mother – Alton Rockin’ Doopsie with Paul Simon
20 Waiting In Vain – Bob Marley
22 Yesterday – Andrus "Beau Jocque" Espre
23 Will The Circle Be Unbroken – A.P. Carter
Musicians
Terrance Simien – accordion, vocals
Danny Williams – keyboards, vocals
Ralph Fontenot – rubboard/frottoir
Nick Lewis – bass
Glenn LeBlanc – guitar
Danny Devillier – drums, peercussion
Djalma Garnier – guest fiddle (#3 & 10)