Zydeco Stomp

Personnel: Fernest Arceneaux (vocals, accordion); Chester Chevalier (guitar); Clarence "Jockey" Etinne (drums).
Audio Mixer: Martin Atkinson.
Liner Note Author: John Stedman.
Recording information: BTW Studio, London (07/1981).
Working with his longtime backing band the Thunders, Fernest Arceneaux turns in a wonderful zydeco blues collection with Zydeco Stomp. Arceneaux and the Thunders cut the album in London in 1981, playing a set of covers and originals that don't stray far from the zydeco-blues formula. That's hardly a bad thing, however, since the group packs musical muscle and bassist Victor Walker is a powerful vocalist -- he's equally powerful on uptempo rockers and slow blues. Arceneaux isn't as strong vocally, but he's still enjoyable. More importantly, he packs quite a punch on the accordion, driving Zydeco Stomp into the realm of ecstatic party music with his propulsive style. ~ Thom Owens