Page 57 - BiTS_09_SEPTEMBER_2023_Neat
P. 57

Emma Wilson & Don Bryant—What Kind Of Love—Select-O-
                                        Hits/Emma Wilson Music

                                        I don’t usually review singles, but when a track is as good as this,
                                        I can’t resist. In any case, this will shortly be included in an up

                                        coming album from Emma,  “Memphis Calling”.
                                        The track (and album) was recorded in the studio of “Sam Phillips
                                        Recording”  Memphis,  TN  with    an  outstanding  bunch  of  musi-

                                        cians: organ, Rev. Charles Hodges: bass, Leroy Hodges: drums,
                                        Steve Potts: electric piano: Archie “Hubbie” Turner: guitar: Joe
                                        Restivo: tenor & baritone saxophone: Kirk Smothers and Marc
    Franklin, trumpet.

    The song was written by Don Bryant & Scott Bomar (of The Bo-Keys and producer of Cedric
    Burnside,  Cindi  Lauper  and  many  more).  Don  Bryant  joins  Emma  on  backup  vocals  (which
    through the wonders of modern recording, Emma also adds).

    This is about as good as you can get and it is my belief that this will propel Emma in to the blues
    and soul stratosphere.  The vocals are funky and sexy at the same time and the whole thing is
    driven in the special way that only emanates from ‘Bluff City’.

    Quite, quite wonderful.  I really can’t wait for the full album.

    Ian K McKenzie

    Corey Ledet Zydeco—Médikamen—Corey P. Ledet

                                        Corey Ledet Zydeco's 'Médikamen' is his first zydeco album writ-
                                        ten and performed completely in Kouri-Vini (a Louisiana Creole
                                        dialect) as an homage on Corey's journey to reclaim his family’s
                                        language. This project was heavily inspired by memories of his
                                        ancestors and their culture. Corey is reclaiming the language by

                                        making this music and at the same time is embedding himself in
                                        contemporary Creole culture.

                                        Special  guests  include  Germaine  Jack,  Anders  Osborne,  Kermit
                                        Ruffins, and Grant Dermody.

                                        The music is a good as you will hear from any top flight zydeco
                                        band.  Ledet is an accomplished accordion player. The band is as
    hot as they come too with  Allen Zeno -electric bass, background vocals, Lucien “Big Lou” Hayes
    -rhythm guitar, Julian Primeaux -rhythm & lead Guitar, Cecil Green -Hammond B3 organ, Fender
    Rhodes, Je’an-Paul Jolivette -drums, background and harmony vocals.

    Two steps, waltzes, and a piece originally penned by Fats Domino who was a Creole (Gònn
    lamézon démin) are all outstanding. But, in that last sentence there lies the sole problem with
    the  album.  Kouri-Vini  is  a  dialect  based  on  French  and  there  is  no  translation  whatsoever.
    Nowhere. Please, please M. Ledet, next time, some translation or at the very least a bit of a
    Rosetta Stone.

    But, dear reader, don’t let that minor gripe turn you off. This is zydeco of the highest order and
    deserves the widest audience it can get.  VAYAN!

    Ian K McKenzie
   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61