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Afbeelding

Afbeelding

The Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, Taj Majal, Steve Earle, & More Salute Clifton Chenier In Celebration Of His 100th Birthday

25/4/2025

 
Afbeelding
There’s only one accordion player whose legacy could inspire a centennial tribute featuring icons like The Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, Taj Mahal, and Steve Earle: the legendary King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier. Bursting onto the scene in 1955 with his breakout hit “Eh, 'tite Fille,” Chenier revolutionized Louisiana Creole music by fusing blues, R&B, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. From the dancehalls of the Deep South to airwaves around the world, his music lit up the globe until his passing in 1987.

Now, as Chenier’s 100th birthday approaches, Valcour Records is honoring his towering influence with A Tribute to the King of Zydeco, a 14-track celebration of his legacy featuring performances from the aforementioned stars and many more. Produced by GRAMMY-winner Steve Berlin of Los Lobos and Valcour founder Joel Savoy—of Cajun music’s “First Family”—the album is set for release on June 27.

The first single, released today, is a soulful take on Chenier’s 1969 zydeco version of “Release Me.” It features Americana icon Lucinda Williams, Swamp Pop Hall of Famer Tommy McLain, and modern zydeco torchbearer Keith Frank on accordion. Williams and McLain deliver a smoldering duet that stays true to Chenier’s slower, sultry groove—originally adapted from Eddie Miller and His Oklahomans’ 1950 country tune “Release Me (And Let Me Love Again).”

Producer C.C. Adcock steered this new version firmly into Chenier’s territory with a lush, triplet-time Swamp Pop rhythm and an all-star Lafayette band. “We wanted it to feel like it came straight out of a vintage South Louisiana dancehall,” says Adcock. “With Keith Frank’s Clifton-inspired accordion, Steve Riley’s bluesy fiddle, and Dickie Landry’s soulful sax solo, it paints a perfect bayou picture. I could see Lu and Tommy skating hand-in-hand at a 1966 Opelousas roller rink… maybe even Clifton manning the snack bar.”

The result is a heartfelt, groove-soaked tribute—setting the tone for the rest of the album as an authentic homage to a true legend.

Fans can stream or purchase “Release Me” now, and pre-order A Tribute to the King of Zydeco ahead of its June 27 release.
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In tandem with the album, Valcour Records has partnered with the Chenier family estate and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to launch the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship, celebrating the King of Zydeco’s 100th birthday in 2025. The scholarship, housed at UL Lafayette’s College of the Arts, will support students studying Traditional Music, with a focus on zydeco accordion. All proceeds from the tribute album will benefit this scholarship fund.
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​On Friday, May 2, a very special Clifton Chenier Centennial show will be held at the Fais Do-Do stage at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Featuring the “Dockside Allstars,” the house band from A Tribute to the King—including Roddie Romero, Eric Adcock, Derek Huston, Lee Allen Zeno, Jermaine Prejean, and Sherelle Chenier Mouton—as well as special guests C.J. Chenier, Sonny Landreth, Marcia Ball, and Curley Taylor, the 5:50 pm set may also include a surprise guest performance or two.
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Tribute to the King 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

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Album produced by Steve Berlin and Joel Savoy with Executive Producer John Leopold. “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” and “Release Me” produced by C.C. Adcock.
About Valcour Records: Louisiane. Musique. Culture. Founded in 2006, Valcour Records is an independent Louisiana music label based in Eunice. We partner with musicians, artists, and artisans to bring you music and cultural content you won’t find anywhere else. Showcasing on the world stage the extraordinary talents born from the rich and diverse cultures of Louisiana.  
A Tribute to the King of Zydeco is funded through the generous support of Lafayette Travel, Rex Foundation, Gia Maione Prima Foundation, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Jeffrey & Lester Price, Steve Zieff & Elaine Leitner, Ray Flores/Pink Trailer Productions, Love of People, and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.

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