Recommended Zydeco & Cajun Music

Zydeco

• Beau Jocque: Gonna Take You Downtown: His latest CD includes innovative
  great listening and dancing zydeco at slow and fast tempos. Good for all levels.
• Beau Jocque: Pick Up on This: Excellent vintage Beau. One of our favorites.
• Beau Jocque: Git It Beau Jocque: Listed as one of the top 10 zydeco albums
  of all time in Let the Good Times Roll. Classic dance hall zydeco recorded live
  at Harry's Lounge and Slim's Y-KI-KI; captures the energy and excitement of a
  Beau Jocque performance.
• Boozoo: Live at Habibi Temple: Listed as one of the top 10 zydeco albums of
  all time in Let the Good Times Roll. Captures the energy of a great live Boozoo
  performance - this CD rocks! Good collection for more advanced dancers.
• Keith Frank: What's His Name: Keith's best CD. (Tho' Movin' On Up is a very
  close second). He is so hot in Louisiana, we can't get him to travel (or afford
  him) so this may be the only chance you have to hear him unless you head
  south. KF's hard driving, double clutching tempo is hard to beat for dancing.
• Rosie Ledet: Brown Sugar: Rosie's best. Great CD for especially for new
  dancers - lots of not too fast songs (we use this a lot when teaching also).
  Zesty Zydeco is also very good with several not too fast songs for practicing.
• Nathan: Your Mama Don't Know: This is the best CD for new zydeco dancers
  to practice to (and the one we use most when teaching). Even, not too fast
  tempos. Good for listening too. CD and TAPE available.
• Nathan: I'm a Zydeco Hog: Latest CD - faster songs. Hot.
• Step Riddeau: Steppin' On: Zydeco Band of the Year 1998. Now very hot in LA.
  Similar style to Keith Frank (double clutchin'). Great dancin.
• Zydeco Joe: Jumpin' Jack Rabbit: His only CD. Traditional zydeco that
  really rocks.
• Geno Delafose: La Chanson Perdue (the lost song): Lastest CD, includes great
  vintage zydeco and cajun as well.

Cajun

• CaliforniaCajun Orchestra: Nonc Adam 2 Step: Best Cajun learning/practice
  CD - great mix of Cajun 2-Steps (Mamou too), Jitterbugs, Waltzes and even
  some Zydeco. The one we use most for teaching.
• Bayou Delux: Best of BeauSoleil: Our favorite overall Cajun dance and listening
  CD (if limited to one - this is the one we'd take to a deserted island).
• Atlanta Swamp Opera: Excellent learning/practice and listening CD. This CD
  from our favorite "local band" won 1997Cajun French Music Association award.
  Includes many ASO favorites such as Loup Garou, Lacassine Special, Bosco
  Stomp, Amedee Two-Step, Reel of Joy .... These CDs are now only available
  through Rebecca (while they last).
• Steve Riley: Friday at Last: The latest Riley CD - great dance music.
• Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys: Vintage Riley - great dance music.
• Steve Riley's Latest CD - Bayou Ruler. The Playboys expand the envelope of
  "Cajun music" - this is a hot dance CD with lots of new, original tunes - some of
  which are heavily influenced by swing and rock n roll.