Terrance Simien Albums (6)
What The Critics Say
Across the Parish Line, the seventh album by Terrance Simien with his band the Zydeco Experience (formerly the Mallet Boys), is not a compilation, technically speaking, but certain tracks do look back across Simien's two decades of playing. His approach to zydeco has been anything but purist, and he has welcomed both other musical styles and a variety of guest musicians into his orbit. In 1985, at the outset of his career, he teamed with Paul Simon, then investigating zydeco for his Graceland album (which embraced more than just the South African music for which it became known), for a recording of Clifton Chenier's "You Used to Call Me" that was released only on a local single in New Orleans. That track is finally reissued here. Another vintage performance is a duet of the Band's "Twilight" with that group's Rick Danko recorded in 1999, the year of his death, with another Band member, Garth Hudson, sitting in on keyboards. Other guest vocalists include Marcia Ball, on a cover of the Elvis Presley/Willie Nelson standard "Always on My Mind," and Los Lobos' David Hidalgo on the Spanish-language "Cómo Viviré, Mi Cholita?," a Cuban song by Pedro Luis Ferrer. And even when sticking to his own group, Simien introduces outside influences, turning in a cover of "Corrina" that recalls Taj Mahal and two songs with specific reference to the Hurricane Katrina tragedy, Bob Dylan's "Mississippi" (on which Simien slightly rewrites the chorus, singing, "Only thing I did wrong/Stayed in New Orleans [instead of Mississippi] a day too long") and Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927," with its chorus, "They're trying to wash us away." There is also a cover of "Closer to You," the song that Simien wrote with Dennis Quaid for Quaid's 1987 film The Big Easy, set in New Orleans. For all this eclecticism, Simien nevertheless manages to assert both his own identity and that of zydeco. In fact, he demonstrates that the music, itself a hybrid, is capable of incorporating other sympathetic styles to its benefit. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This is honest and straight from the heart. Normally discs that have talking about the songs or the reasons for doing the songs will inspire many to 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 that 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 living, 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. 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 you may have trouble initially getting past it in on the disc, until you discover the gems following it. There is not a weak song here. This is that rare disc that transcends all genres of music and stands solid to repeated playing as it is music from the heart, and if anything only gets better and better. ~ Bob Gottbieb, All Music Guide
'Positively Beadhead'
Release Date 5/4/1999
Tracks 12
Label Tone Cool
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What The Critics Say
Terrance Simien keeps upping the ante with each album, pushing the envelope with his blend of traditional zydeco wedded to modern beats and a highly energetic outlook. Positively Beadhead is a dedication reference to the band's many fans, known collectively as "beadheads," and the music inside will not disappoint them. On "500 Miles," Simien puts a modern reggae twist to the old folk music standard. And tracks like "Grandma's House," "Paradise," and Wet Willie's "Keep on Smilin'" blend zydeco with modern grooves and vocal harmonies to produce music that's both emotionally deep and party-approved. Simien's love of tradition is also displayed on his sleeve with a fine reading of "Jolie Blonde," the pulsating "Macque Choux," "La Neuville Danse," and the rollicking closer, "Shake Your Tambourine," making for an album that has a lot more going for it than just another garden-variety zydeco party disc. With each album, Terrance Simien continues to define his art; consider this volume another brick in the wall, solid as can be, from an artist who honors his roots while heading straight for the future. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
'There's Room for Us'
Release Date 9/17/1993
Tracks 13
Label Black Top
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'Zydeco on the Bayou'
Release Date 10/10/1990
Tracks 12
Label Restless
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What The Critics Say
A modern zydeco artist whose songs aren't yet in an essential category. More rock than zydeco, but lots of energy nonetheless. ~ Ron Wynn & Jeff Hannusch, All Music Guide
