The late Clifton Chenier, Zydeco pioneer known for his Creole-inspired sound rooted in blues, Cajun and R&B, is being bolstered by the music community on his 100th birthday. To mark the occasion and signify Chenier’s esteem by his musical admirers, The Rolling Stones have taken on the artist’s 1965 recording, “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés,” sung entirely in French by Mick Jagger. The track is part of the forthcoming LP A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco, due June 27, 2025.
Speaking of their involvement in the project, the blues-influenced British band shared, “The Stones are truly honoured to be on this tribute album amongst a stellar cast of artists and musicians. Clifton Chenier was one of the most influential musicians to come out of Louisiana. He turned so many people onto the wonderful free-spirited dance music of Zydeco, including ourselves back in the day.”
“Although the development of any music style can seldom be attributed to one artist, there is not a zydeco band who has not followed the template Chenier created,” the group delineates, speaking fondly of their longstanding source of influence. On the track, the band tapped guest Steve Riley, who adds a layer of The Big Easy by way of the accordion. The results are a renewed appreciation for the Zydeco tradition fused with the players’ signature brand of rock-and-roll.
“Both Mick singing in impeccable Creole French and Keith and Ronnie completely carving up the traditional approach with those signature licks and their iconic ‘weaving’ style sounds easy and playful,” says the track’s producer, CC Adcock. “Man, this one sounds like they’re just running wild through the swamps with it.”
On a broader scale, the album’s producer, Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), and Joel Savoy, the founder of ALCOUR Records and member of the “First Family of Cajun Music,” state, “Clifton Chenier was an international ambassador, introducing the world to Zydeco. While he has been honored with many awards, his real impact is found in the lives and style of musicians from southwest Louisiana and beyond.”
A Tribute to the King of Zydeco presents 14 tracks contributed by Taj Mahal (“Hey ‘Tite Fille”), Lucinda Williams (“Release Me”), John Hiatt (“You Used To Call Me”), Charley Crockett (“Easy Easy Baby”), Jimmie Vaughan (My Soul), David Hidalgo (“Hot Rod”) and more industry luminaries. See below.
In addition to music, the Chenier family estate and the University of Louisiana Lafayette have come together to set up the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship, which will, “The scholarship fund will offer annual financial assistance to students studying Traditional Music, specifically Zydeco accordion, at UL Lafayette.” Learn more.
Listen to The Rolling Stones, featuring Steve Riley, below.
A Tribute to the King of Zydeco Tracklist:
“Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” – The Rolling Stones and Steve Riley
“Easy Easy Baby” – Charley Crockett and Nathan Williams, Sr.
“Hey ‘Tite Fille” – Taj Mahal and Keith Frank
“Release Me” – Lucinda Williams, Tommy McClain, and Keith Frank
“Just Like A Woman” – Steve Earle and Anthony Dopsie
“I’m On The Wonder” – Jon Cleary and Curley Taylor
“My Soul” – Jimmie Vaughan, Johnny Nicholas, and Steve Riley
“Hot Rod” – David Hidalgo and CJ Chenier
“Tout Le Temps En Temps” – Shannon McNally, Keith Frank, and Molly Tuttle
“Ay Ai Ai” – Ruben Ramos with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Meyers
“I May Be Wrong” – Marcia Ball and Geno Delafose
“I’m Coming Home” – CJ Chenier and Sonny Landreth
“You Used To Call Me” – John Hiatt and Roddie Romero
“Why Did You Go Last Night” – Kam Franklin, A. J. Haynes, and Roddie Romero
Content shared from relix.com.