Chubby Carrier And The Bayou Swamp Band - Zydeco Junkie (2010)

2010 Grammy Award Winning CDBest Cajun or Zydeco Album Zydeco Junkie by Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band.

Chubby Carrier has spent a career perfecting his party package live shows, so it stands to reason that this would be more of the same, right? No, not quite. Carrier does do his best job ever reaching out to a diverse demographic with a variety of hooks. The breezy dance rendition of Bad Company s Feel Like Makin Love will likely appeal to aging, knock-kneed rockers. On My Zydeco Shoes, modern country devotees will give thumbs up to Jamie Bergeron s Nashville-radio-ready vocals. Additionally, there s guitar-cranked funk, a peppy instrumental and poignant R&B. Carrier s singing is much more focused this time out; the background vocals are full, crisp and tight while the Ivan Klisanin-engineered sound has the bottom-end smacking hard like it s supposed to. But keep in mind that while Carrier s a third-generation zydeco musician, he s not bound by his cultural music. The album s biggest surprise arrives on Touch Me Touch Me Baby. Keyboardist Keith Clement alternates classic New Orleans piano fill-in with enchanting salsa melodies. Smart move, because if zydeco is going to continue to flourish, it needs more alliances with like-minded genres. Experimental fusion is encouraged and this is a step in the right direction. --Offbeat Magazine

Chubby s Cd Zydeco Junkie is a nice piece of work. It s really well constructed and doesn t sacrifice the energy or synergy of the players. He was lucky to get several special guests, Geno Delafose has a terrific Cajun Band on his own, and special guest Jamie Bergeron. The Title Track, Zydeco Junkies is a great song, I like the fact that he opens the Cd up with it. It sets the pace for what s to come. His Zydeco Junkie Cd includes several cover songs performed in his own style and expression. They are Feel Like Making Love by Bad Company , and the theme song from the T.V. Show The Jeffersons, Moving On Up . I like version of the Feel Like Making Love , it has a totally different feel, yet you know the song. Also, I think Jalapeno Lena is a really interesting song, musically different. There s a lot of good tracks on this Cd.. it s easy to like! Chubby is a diverse musician who obviously can take the heat and loves what he does so much. He s a very grateful person with a positive outlook on life that transcends to his music. So give it a look and better yet a listen and Buy it! --bluessource.com