I actually have listened to quite a bit of Blues music, but had never really spent any time taking in Zydeco. And I certainly have never seen live Zydeco with performers within a couple dozen feet of me. We spent most of our time at the Waterfront blues Festival front and center at the Front Porch Stage, the designated Zydeco venue. A smaller stage, set well away from the most trafficked area this is, as far as I'm concerned, the hot-spot for great Louisiana, Zydeco music. The washboard was amazing and some of the playing was quite athletic. Cedryl Ballou and his band almost seems to meld a few hip-hop style moves into their washboard and accordion playing. Cedryl, the band leader may be only in his 20s and his arsenal of accordions spans from the traditional to the an orange tiger striped.
Take it some Zydeco for a Blues change.
Cedyrl Ballou band is 3 generations of Ballou family on stage with a 9-year old nephew banging it out on the drums. Sound hokey? Add in a musician friend on washboard with some hip-hop-like moves and this was a really unique crew. Cedryl takes some traditional Zydeco sounds and turns up the volume. The band can turn out some innovative mash-ups of zydeco and recognizable R&B melodies which appeals.
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