Terrance Simien is one of our most beloved Cajun-Zydeco performers. He is blessed with a wonderful voice sometimes sounding a bit like Aaron Neville. Besides being responsible for blending reggae and Carribbean flavored music into his own brand of Zydeco, Terrance's love of folk music has produced Zydeco cover versions of some of our favorite songs. Terrance Simien has just released his seventh album on the Aim label.

Always the innovator, Terrance opens and closes the cd with remixed bonus versions of "Ta Pa Gonne Avec Ca", a song he sings in French. Whether the remixed dance or hip hop versions appeal to you are a matter of personal taste but the remainder of the album is Terrance Simien at his best. "You Should Know Your Way By Now" is a personal anthem to his Creole roots. The vocal harmonies make it sound like a fresh running stream. Paul Simon adds his harmony on the next track "You Used To Call Me", a Clifton Chenier standard.

The version of "Corrina" which follows is given the Carribbean treatment and it gives the song new life. "Corinna" dates back to Blind Lemon Jefferson, but Terrance appropriately credits this arrangement to Taj Mahal and Jesse Edwin Davis, as everyone from Bob Dylan, John Kay and Eric Burdon have all made their claim. Terrance Simien's original percussion based version of "Ta Pa Gonne Avec Ca" follows and this version remains my favorite. Next Terrance pays tribute to Bob Dylan as he covers "Dylan's "Mississippi". "Only one thing I did wrong, stayed in New Orleans a day too long".

"Nobody But You", "Dance Everyday", and "Pet De Kat Krewe" are all Terrance Simien originals, co-written with keyboardist Danny Williams. Also covered is the 1982 Grammy winning song "Always On My Mind", here it is a duet with Marcia Ball; Pedro Luis Ferrer's "Como Vivire, Mi Cholita" (covered by Charlie Musselwhite a few years ago on his Continental Drifter album), and Robbie Robertson's "Twilight" featuring Rick Danko and Garth Hudson. "Closer To You" was co-written with actor Dennis Quaid. Another highlight is Terrance's version of Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927".

This album will lift your spirits, be sure to catch Terrance Simien when you cross The Parish Line Check out Terrence Simien's website at www.terrancesimien.com

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com