Song of the day, 23 February 2026

I have finally gotten around to unpacking my music CDs. While doing so I came across this ditty and cranked it up loud.

Preparing for Fat Tuesday Zydeco style

The run up to Lent is for many a time of drinking, overeating, partying, and some low-level mayhem. For me, it had until recently consisted of eating pączki and lamenting that none of them had prune filling. But last week I went to The Bur Oak to see Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas. I didn't recall ever hearing them before the concert but it's Zydeco - what more do you need?

It turned out to be the loudest show I've ever heard at The Bur Oak and it was great! As expected, there was lots of accordion-led booty-shakin' goodness with an occasional slower bluesy number.

I sat in front of the guitarist and he was a hoot, hoppin' around, making faces, and simply putting on a good show as he played some mean rhythms and soloed his heart out. 

Nathan, who reminded us that he was from the land where the crawfish have soul and the gators have the blues, came down into the audience a couple times.

Not only did he play a mean squeeze box but the guy put on a show.

His band seemed to be having fun with smiles all around and they played their hearts out. The guy on washboard was rockin'! 

While I snagged a ticket for C.J. Chenier's show at the Atwood Music Hall earlier this week, I was unable to keep the Zydeco ball rolling as I had another engagement that I had to attend. At least I was able to find someone to take my ticket. It was depressing because Chenier was here a couple years back to play at La Fete de Marquette but he got rained out so I was excited to finally see him play.

Here's some video I shot that night at The Bur Oak:

All (in the Cabaret Tent) Will Hear the Gospel

The magic mushrooms were in full bloom at La Fete de Marquette this year.

I went down early on Saturday to (finally) see The Campbell Brothers, masters of Sacred Steel, sacred music played with steel guitars. They're one of those bands that I've meant to go witness live for many years but somehow never got around to it when they were in town. I first encountered their music back in 1999 or 2000 when I heard a track from the Sacred Steel Live! compilation on WORT. If memory serves, it was "God Is a Good God" and the fact that I bought the album based on hearing that song alone is testament to just how great it is.

Opening for The Campbell Brothers was the Fountain of Life Church Choir. 

Overall, they were good. Some of the songs were a bit too modern in feel for me, still, there were some real bangers. The solo spots were incredible. Simply beautiful.

(Sorry about the poor quality here - cheap phone cam zoom.)

Either during their set break or after they were finished, I went outside and ran into a marching band led by someone in colors from The Big Easy.

Not soon enough, The Campbell Brothers took the stage. They played an instrumental or 2 before introducing the lovely Denise Brown who would sing for us. 

At this point, it was off to the races.

They were absolutely fantastic! I believe that's Philip Campbell there on guitar and he noted that what they were playing is what they play in church back home in Rochester(?), New York. Their worship services must be quite something.

During one song, I stood there boppin' like a white guy and then bowed my head and closed my eyes as the music washed over me. Tears welled and it took no small effort to hold them back. Their music is so beautiful, so upbeat and positive that it's nigh impossible to feel the joy wiggle its way into you.

For the finale, some of the ladies from the Fountain of Life Church Choir returned. It was sublime. 

 

 

Note to self: always go see The Campbell Brothers when they are in town. Or just near town.

 

EDIT: I put some video that I shot up on Youtube. Any help with the title would be appreciated.

 

 

Because zydeco kicks butt, I returned on Sunday for a healthy serving of it courtesy of Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. I was completely unfamiliar with them but they delivered the goods with some great Creole party music.

 

For the finish, Dopsie brought onstage two comely ladies in appropriate attire for some sing along.

 

I found myself craving gumbo after the show but settled for jerk pork.

 

You just can't go wrong with zydeco.

 

Until next year, La Fete. Let there be less rain.