Any Zydeco recommendations?

The best release for exploring zydeco is Rhino's
"Zydeco Dynamite - The Clifton Chenier Anthology".
He's the master and it collects tracks from the many
labels he recorded for over his long career.

An important consideration is that zydeco is very much
a live music. Go see it somewhere to learn what it is
really about. Or at least explore some live CDs.

One name I'd definitely add to Michaels's list above is
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. For a single act to
see, I think he's the best. Lot's of energy and a big
variation of styles while keeping the traditional sounds.
He plays the button accordion (squeeze box), the "piano"
accordion (the full size accordion), and the fiddle.
And his band includes fiddle or sax so he can do the
older dual fiddle style, and also the newer rocking sax
style. And don't forget to bring your dancin' shoes !

Roger S

Steve Riley is a Cajun musician, not zydeco.

Thanks Roger- I am always drawn to the live recordings.

Say Audiohorn, I should been more inclusive in my question. Do you have any recommendations of work by Cajun musicians to add to your first post?

I have a great recommendation for this! A band called "Coteau", featuring Michael Doucet of the band Bea Soleil. They are referred to as the "Cajun Grateful Dead". The CD is called "Highly Seasoned Cajun Music". Great, great music!!

Putomayo Presents Zydeco is a terrific sampler and introduction. Then individual cds by the artists represented there. If you don't like Rosie Ledet's You're No Good For Me ("I want you so bad, I want you so bad, and Baby, that ain't good"), you must be dead.