First, a little bit about Zydeco, which is a great and fun genre. According to Wikipedia it is:
a musical genre [that] evolved in southwest Louisiana by French Creole speakers[1] which blends blues, rhythm and blues, and music indigenous to the Louisiana Creoles and the Native people of Louisiana. a “genre southwest Louisiana by French Creole speakers[1] which blends blues, rhythm and blues, and music indigenous to the Louisiana Creoles and the Native people of Louisiana.
What is especially fun is seeing folks from one genre crossing over to another. It’s not uncommon, but sometimes — such as this — it stands out. Above, the group covers Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” — I had never really thought of a zydeco version of a Dylan song, to be honest. I am guessing that not many people have. Below is the great reggae song “Pressure Drop.” It is by The Maytals (later, Toots and The Maytals) and was featured in the 1972 movie “The Harder They Come.”
I wonder why somebody crosses genres to cover a song. Is it the lyrics? Something in the melody? Is it a bit mercenary: Did Simien think that he could make inroads with a new audience by covering something with which they were familiar?
Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience won a Grammy for the album Live! Worldwide in 1997. Here is their website.
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