Al Rapone & the Butanes
Plays Tribute
Atomic Theory 1133

The Butanes collaborate with Grammy Award winning accordionist Al Rapone to play tribute to the greatest zydeco performer of all time, Clifton Chenier.

A Tribute to Clifton Chenier
Al Rapone
Atomic Theory Records
by Grant Britt

If you like Zydeco but have been put off by those indecipherable vocals that sound like somebody gargling with swamp water then singing in the unknown tongue, then Al Rapone's your man.

Though born in bayou country -- Lake Charles, Louisiana, home to the object of Big Al's affection here, Clifton Chenier -- Rapone's family moved to San Francisco at an early age, where Al became proficient on guitar and learned to speak unaccented English as well. After swapping the rather un-Cajun surname of Lewis for the all purpose Rapone, at the age of 15 he began playing professionally, soon backing blues legends such as Jimmy Reed and Big Mama Thornton. He found his niche with Queen Ida, forming the Bon Ton Zydeco Band, and toured extensively with her for many years. He eventually went out on his own with his band, The Zydeco Express, becoming the first Zydeco artist to play behind the Iron Curtain.

Of late, his backing band of choice has been the Butanes, better known as Earl King's band. This is them here, and him, and it's an interesting take on Clifton. A fairly even mix of R&B and Zydeco, it still retains enough bayou juice to flavor without being overpowering. But as most students of his are already aware, Clifton was certainly not averse to R&B, and both wrote and bent many rock 'n' roll and blues tunes to fit him.

Rapone gets into the spirit with B.B. King's "Rock Me Baby." It sure ain't the way B.B. would do it, but it bops right along. Once you get over the accordion solo sharing the spotlight with a Kingliness sound-alike guitar feller, you can even get up or down (your choice) and wiggle to it.

And while we're spreadin' the blues, check out Rapone's version of Mance Lipscome's "Key To The Highway." Outside of Clifton, this is the best version I've heard. There's some outstanding, understated guitar work here by the Butanes' bandleader, Curtis Obeda. It's hard to be blue when you've got this kind of bidness goin' on.

Though these Butane boys hail from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, they got their hands wrapped firmly around the Zydeco handle. On Clifton's "Tu Le Ton Son Ton" and "Zydeco Ils Sont Pas Sale," which allegedly is a comment on the salt content of some snap beans and the song that many claim named Zydeco, the Minnesotian homeboys sound as Cajun as men from that area possibly could.

Not only is Rapone proficient on accordion, his vocals are as good as any of the swamp men in his field. He's no slouch as a writer, either. His "Hey Negress," co-written with Queen Ida, is rumored to have been a favorite of Chenier's. With the exception of a tune written by son C.J., "Zydeco Man," which Al covers like a blanket, the remainder of the CD is devoted to covers of Clifton's songs. Though you might not recognize the titles, the tunes nevertheless sound familiar. One of the endearing things about Clifton's music is that you hear traces of and sometimes melodies whose counterparts you'd swear you've heard in rock 'n' roll. "Rosa Lee" sounds a great deal like Fats Domino's "Hello Josephine," and Clifton's "Comin' Home" is just a few steps off the porch of "Bring It On Home To Me."

It's all great stuff and it's interpreted here with reverence and skill. Al Rapone might not be worthy of wearing the Zydeco crown, but while he's paying this fine a tribute, it won't hurt to let him try it on 'til Clifton gets back.