From the heart of French-speaking Louisiana, Clifton Chenier transformed the rural Zydeco of his father's generation into an international embodiment of high-energy good-time music. He was the first to broaden the genre by incorporating other forms such as blues, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues. Despite the addition of electric instruments and new forms, his accordion-driven music never strayed far from it's origins of creating a place for working people to leave their troubles behind and let the good times roll.

Interview with Chris Strachwitz:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUqnOYUi1A

Songs:

J’Ai Conet, C’Est Pas Me Femme (I Know She’s Not My Woman)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwioXT2UDW4

Someone Told Me it was Over:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIhc4CQFah8&list=RDcIhc4CQFah8&start_radio=1

Release Me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Q2kKsNNS8

A Tribute to the King of Zydeco. "Release Me", featuring Lucinda Williams, Tommy McLain, and Keith Frank is available through a variety of services: https://orcd.co/releaseme1

"A Tribute to the King of Zydeco" available for pre-sale now: https://linktr.ee/valcourrecords

Reserve your limited-run vinyl copy of "A Tribute to the King of Zydeco" now: https://www.valcourrecords.com/vinyl/... 100% of profits benefit the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship Fund, created by Valcour Records with the Center for Louisiana Studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Learn more about the fund here: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/...

Grand Mamou (Big Mamou):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh9NhkWWVsw

I'm Coming Home (to See my Mother):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_06Ig59jo8

Episode ID: 1000756606710

GUID: e414ffcd-07ef-47d5-9141-294fb80a8c09

Release Date: 22/03/2026, 17:41:22