Beau Jocque

A stunning album of songs from all over the board. Beau Jocque here incorporates songs of his own making alongside those of other zydeco legends Clifton Chenier and Boozoo Chavis. To top it off, he throws in a couple from zydeco outsiders War and Bob Dylan, reformatted to force a dance. One of the main highlights of the album (and all Jocque albums, really) is the interplay between the more frantic Steve Charlot vocals and Jocque's slower, rougher returns. Jocque is always faster and a little more party-ready than Chenier, and this album displays that nicely. There are still some slightly easier-going pieces ("It's So Easy When You're Breezin'"). The things that set Jocque's band apart from other zydeco mainstays are the infusions of rock and funk, usually more or less missing from the genre. Stutter guitar and organ backings are no surprise in his music. If nothing else, pick it up for a cover of "Knockin on Heaven's Door" that's more heartfelt than anything Guns N' Roses could ever muster. ~ Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide