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Too Much Fun (album)

Too Much Fun is an album by the American musician C. J. Chenier, released in 1995.[1][2] He is credited with his backing band, the Red Hot Louisiana Band.[3] It was his first album for Alligator Records.[4] Chenier supported it with a North American tour.[5] The first single was "Man Smart, Woman Smarter".[6]

Production

The album was produced by Chenier and Bruce Iglauer.[6] It was recorded over a week, the longest amount of time that Chenier had spent working on an album; his main concern was ensuring that all the songs sounded different, rather than employing the same zydeco tempo.[7] Chenier played alto saxophone as well as accordion.[8] The Memphis Horns and Vasti Jackson contributed to the album.[9][10] "Zydeco Cha Cha", "Louisiana Two Step", and "You Used to Call Me" were written by Chenier's father, Clifton.[11] "Down Home Blues" is a cover of the song made famous by Z. Z. Hill.[10]

Critical reception

The Washington Post wrote that the album is "an arousing example of how zydeco's polyrhythms can benefit from the ballad conventions and horn charts of Memphis soul."[10] The Telegram & Gazette said that "Chenier's singing is as impressive as the band's playing, with his voice carrying the rich resonance of a pure bluesman."[17] The Chicago Tribune concluded that "much of the music comes off as zydeco-peppered blues rather than freshly- seasoned zydeco."[18]

The Record determined that "Chenier's flamboyant accordion-playing is complemented by his smooth, soulful baritone voice and a superb backing band."[19] The Journal & Courier opined that the "reigning crown prince of zydeco delivers the instant party record of the season."[20] The Associated Press stated that Too Much Fun "works better than most studio zydeco albums."[13]

AllMusic noted that "it would be unthinkable in the zydeco tradition to have too much fun without dancing being on the agenda, so dance tunes rule the record."[12]

Track listing

References

  1. ^ Swenson, John, ed. (1999). The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide. Random House. p. 141.
  2. ^ Iglauer, Bruce (2018). Bitten by the Blues: The Alligator Records Story. University of Chicago Press. p. 318.
  3. ^ Dickerson, Chris (2 June 1995). "C.J. Chenier, Friday at FitzGerald's...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
  4. ^ Koster, Rick (2000). Texas Music. St. Martin's Publishing Group. p. 247.
  5. ^ Thompson, Stephen (28 Mar 1996). "Chenier Brings Funky Zydeco to Crystal". Rhythm. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 7.
  6. ^ a b "Album reviews — Too Much Fun by C. J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 19. May 13, 1995. p. 76.
  7. ^ Weatherford, Mike (21 Apr 1995). "Zydeco master Chenier has fun with his music". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 2D.
  8. ^ Chapman, Geoff (29 June 1995). "C.J. Chenier, Too Much Fun". Toronto Star. p. H12.
  9. ^ Tisserand, Michael (2016). The Kingdom of Zydeco. Skyhorse.
  10. ^ a b c Himes, Geoffrey (23 June 1995). "C. J. Chenier takes Zydeco to Memphis". The Washington Post. p. WW17.
  11. ^ Krewen, Nick (8 June 1995). "C.J. Chenier, Too Much Fun". Ego. The Hamilton Spectator. p. 4.
  12. ^ a b "Too Much Fun Review by Rose of Sharon Witmer". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  13. ^ a b Fidler, Eric (Apr 14, 1995). "Record Rack". The Burlington Free Press. AP. p. 15A.
  14. ^ Trageser, Jim (Apr 14, 1995). "Zydeco". Blade-Citizen. Preview. p. 19.
  15. ^ MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 148.
  16. ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 118.
  17. ^ McLennan, Scott (31 Aug 1995). "Cajun Festival quite an affair". Telegram & Gazette. p. C1.
  18. ^ Reger, Rick (29 Mar 1996). "Concertline". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. T.
  19. ^ Johnson, Steven C. (19 May 1996). "Zydeco". Books & Music. The Record. p. 13.
  20. ^ Bangert, Dave (Apr 28, 1995). "The good times keep rolling with Chenier". TGIF. Journal & Courier. p. 6.