Various Artists – Pasé Bél Tan: Francophonies and Creolities in Louisiana review – foot-stomping joy

(Flee)Influenced by jazz and early blues, this collection of largely African American folk music from the 50s to the 80s spans poignant lyricism to full-throated celebrationOver the past decade, European archival label Flee has been unearthing some of the globe’s most distinctive sounds. Reissuing out-of-print rarities along with new interpretations from contemporary artists, their albums have included 2017’s exploration of Kenyan Benga music, a 2021 recording of the oral traditions of Gulf pearl divers and most recently a catalogue of Greek orthodox singing from the monastery on Mount Athos. Their latest edition is equally specific, delving into both archival and new French-language Creole music from Louisiana.Influenced by the birth of jazz in New Orleans, as well as early blues, rock’n’roll and French colonial legacy, this largely African American folk music of the 1950s to the 1980s veers from poignant lyricism to rollicking, full-throated celebration. The dancefloor-focused side of the archival material features several infectious songs from bandleader Clifton Chenier. Known as the founder of Creole folk genre zydeco, Chenier’s arrangements incorporate bluesy guitar riffs alongside scraping washboard rhythms and the metallic twang of piano accordion. The resulting sound, on Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler and Jolie Blonde, is deep-swinging and joyous, anchored in Chenier’s own whooping vocalisations. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Delightfully smutty Pillion is another breakthrough for Harry Potter star

Metro

Comments

Culture

Delightfully smutty Pillion is another breakthrough for Harry Potter star

Nobody Wants This’s Justine Lupe: ‘Acting while pregnant was a really healing experience’

From Hollywood to horticulture: Cate Blanchett on a mission to save seeds

Mary Berry says moving to Channel 4 to judge Bake Off didn’t feel right ‘just for the money’

ITV series that left viewers ‘questioning their sanity’ axed after one season

A Maine farm turns getting lost into a prize-winning tradition

Emma Corrin ‘incredibly excited’ to have Charli XCX in 100 Nights Of Hero

Sam Rivers, Bassist for Limp Bizkit, Dies at 48

Paul Mescal is better than ever in The History of Sound – but I wanted more

Brandy blames early Chicago exit on ‘dehydration’ after she left Monica to finish concert solo

Chris Robshaw becomes third contestant to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing

Vernon Kay, Ant and Dec and Stephen Fry win at Variety Club Showbusiness Awards

Sharon Osbourne shares heartbreaking loss weeks after husband Ozzy’s death

Strictly 2025 confirms third star eliminated after ‘emotional’ apology to partner

Britain’s Got Talent star, 17, arrested and fined £1,000 for busking

Sam Rivers, bassist and founding member of Limp Bizkit, dies aged 48

Iconic actress exposes Martin Scorsese’s ‘volcano-like’ anger during marriage

Hollywood shows out for ‘No Kings’ protests: Jamie Lee Curtis and Ben Stiller among celebrities speaking out

‘Larsen C’ Review: Grand, Dark and Inhumanly Cold

Sabrina Carpenter fans react after singer ‘doubled down’ on dropping F-word during SNL performance

Harry Potter star turns down Celebrity Traitors after ‘never watching’ show

Loose Women star pulled from BBC radio show after ‘bullying claims’

Louvre Closed After Thieves Steal ‘Priceless’ Jewels in Brazen Daylight Robbery

Alexander Skarsgård hailed as ‘icon’ after sporting backless halterneck on red carpet

BBC airs ‘clanger’ of a mistake during reporting of Lady Annabel Goldsmith’s death

Sci-fi series with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score launches for free

Why the numbers 6-7 are driving math teachers up the wall

Once revoked for 'indecency,' the British Library reinstates Oscar Wilde's library card

Josh O’Connor: ‘Filming period romance with Paul Mescal deepened our relationship’

Strictly fans claim star was ‘undermarked’ despite slipping during performance

Sunday Puzzle: Anagrams from a hotel room

Book Review: ‘Every Day Is Sunday,’ by Ken Belson

Book Review: ‘Shattered Dreams, Infinite Hope,’ by Brandon M. Terry

The Artist Fia Backström Explores Community, Without the People

Three Women in Alaska Collaborate on an Exhibit About Climate Change

The Real Housewives of Moscow

Restaurant Review: Johnny’s

Pink Floyd star David Gilmour says Roger Waters reunion is impossible

Sam Rivers death: Limp Bizkit bassist dies, aged 48

Strictly star hits back at claims he ‘shouldn’t be allowed’ to compete

Limp Bizkit bassist dies aged 48, band says

The Celebrity Traitors cast are closer to each other than you might think

Michael J Fox says co-star ‘created friction’ on set of Back to the Future

‘Netflix thriller fans are furious I haven’t won an award – but I’m relieved’

Limp Bizkit star Sam Rivers dies aged 48 as band pays tribute to ‘true legend’

I was a busker living in my van – now I’m selling out the Royal Albert Hall

‘People aren’t ready for it’: How Paddington the Musical took the world’s favourite bear and put him on stage

Cameron Crowe on music, movies and the tragedy that shaped him: ‘I thought writing about it would cause too much pain’

‘Am I going to heaven, chat?’: SNL’s Trump stops by teen podcast to ramble about No Kings, war and George Santos

The Traitors and Celebrity Traitors: a blagger's guide to the BBC TV show everyone's watching

A thrilling tale of skulduggery and spies

Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers dies aged 48

The 15 most terrifying horror films set at Halloween and where to watch them

'You can't fake being a rock star': Springsteen biopic explores his inner demons and childhood trauma

Why I fell in love with a book called I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki

Will giving up his titles really make much difference for Andrew?

Grand Theft Auto made him a legend. His latest game was a disaster

Mystery deepens after missing schoolgirl found dead in pop star D4vd's Tesla

Mick Jagger and Janet Jackson lead guests at London’s answer to the Met Gala

Strictly Come Dancing’s Ellie Goldstein is bringing the joy we all need right now