Cajun / Zydeco (Reference)

The reference list includes records that have been obtained and/or rated (in blue) as well as many other records that have been recommended from various sources.

Nathan Abshire (1913–81)

• Nathan Abshire and His Pine Groove Boys: French Blues [1949–56, Arhoolie], A–
• The Cajun Legend: The Best of Nathan Abshire [(1986), Swallow]
• w/Mark Savoy, Hector Duhon: Cajun Social Music [1977, Smithsonian/Folkways], B+

Johnnie Allan

• South to Louisiana [(1985), Ace]

Alfonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin (1916– )

• La Musique Creole [1970–71, Arhoolie]
• w/Balfa Toujours: Allons Danser [1998, Rounder]

Amédé Ardoin (1898–1942)

• The Roots of Zydeco: I'm Never Comin' Back [1930–34, Arhoolie], A–

Lawrence Black Ardoin (1946– )

• Tradition Creole [1984, Arhoolie], B+

Lynn August (1948– )

• Creole Cruiser [1992, Black Top], B+

Dewey Balfa (1927–92)

• Souvenirs [1987, Swallow]
• Fait a la Main [(1993), Swallow]

The Balfa Brothers [1967– ]

• The Balfa Brothers Play Traditional Cajun Music [1965–74, Swallow]
• J'ai Vu le Loup, le Renard et la Belette [1988, Rounder]

Balfa Toujours

• La Pointe [1998, Rounder]

Beausoleil

• Hot Chili Mama [1987, Arhoolie], B+
• La Danse de la Vie [1993, Forward], B+
• The Best of Beausoleil [(1997), Arhoolie]
• Cajun and Creole Music [Music of the World]

Marc Broussard

• S.O.S.: Save Our Soul [2007, Vanguard], B

Vin Bruce (1932– )

• Greatest Hits [(1979), Swallow]

Buckwheat Zydeco (1947– )

• 100% Fortified Zydeco [1983, Black Top]
• Buckwheat's Zydeco Party [1987, Rounder]
• The Buckwheat Zydeco Story: A 20-Year Party [(1999), Tomorrow]
• The Ultimate Collection [(2000), Hip-O]

Chubby Carrier

• Boogie Woogie Zydeco [1991, Flying Fish]
• Who Stole the Hot Sauce? [1996, Blind Pig]

Roy Carrier

• Soulful Side of Zydeco [1995, Zane]
• At His Best [(1996), Zane1010]

Hadley Castille

• Cajun Swamp Fiddler [1993, Swallow]

Boozoo Chavis (1930– )

• Zydeco Trail Ride [1989, Maison de Soul], B
• The Lake Charles Atomic Bomb [1990, Rounder], B
• Live! At the Habibi Temple, Lake Charles, Louisiana [1994, Rounder], B

C.J. Chenier (1957– )

• My Baby Don't Wear No Shoes [1988, Arhoolie]

Clifton Chenier (1925–87)

• Bayou Blues [1955, Specialty], B+(***)
• Zodico Blues and Boogie [1955, Specialty]
• Louisiana Blues and Zydeco [1965, Arhoolie]
• King of the Bayous [1970, Arhoolie]
• Out West [1974, Arhoolie]
• Bogalusa Boogie [1975, Arhoolie]
• 60 Minutes with the King of Zydeco [1964–75, Arhoolie], B+
• Sings the Blues [1969–77, Arhoolie], B+
• Zydeco Dynamite: The Clifton Chenier Anthology [1954–84, Rhino, 2 CD], A–
• Zydeco Sont Pas Sale [(1997), Arhoolie]

Harry Choates (1922–51)

• Fiddle King of Cajun Swing [1946–50, Arhoolie], A–

Octa Clark and Hector Duhon

• Old-Time Cajun Music [1982, Arhoolie]

Coteau

• Highly Seasoned Cajun Music [1997, Rounder]

Sady Courville

• w/Dennis McGee: La Vielle Musique Acadienne [Swallow]

Bruce Daigrepont (1959– )

• Stir Up the Roux [1988, Rounder]

Geno Delafose (1972– )

• That's What I'm Talking About [1996, Rounder]
• La Chanson Perdue [1998, Rounder]

John Delafose (1939–94)

• Heartaches and Hot Steps [1984, Maison de Soul], B+
• Joe Pete Got Two Women [1988, Arhoolie]

Dwayne Dopsie (1979– )

• Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers: Set Me Free [2021, Louisiana Red Hot], B+(***)

Rockin' Dopsie (1932–93)

• Crowned Prince of Zydeco [1986, Maison De Soul]

David Doucet (1957– )

• Quand J'ai Parti [1990, Rounder]

Michael Doucet (1951– )

• Michel Doucet and Cajun Brew [1988, Rounder], B
• w/Beausoleil: Parlez-nous á Boire and More [1991, Arhoolie]
• w/Beausoleil: Bayou Deluxe: The Best of Michael Doucet and Beausoleil [(1993), Rhino]

Joe Falcon (1900–65)

• Cajun Music Pioneer [1963, Arhoolie]
• Louisiana Cajun Music [(1988), Arhoolie]

Filé

• Cajun Dance Band [1987, Flying Fish]
• Two Left Feet [1990, Flying Fish]

Allen Fontenot (1932– )

• Jole Blon and Other Cajun Honky Tonk Songs [1980, Great Southern]

Canray Fontenot (1922–95)

• Louisiana Hot Sauce, Creole Style [(1992), Arhoolie], B+

Alcide "Blind Uncle" Gaspard (1880–1937)

• w/Delma Lachney, John Bertrand: Early American Cajun Music [1929, Yazoo], B

The Hackberry Ramblers [1933– ]

• Early Recordings, 1935–1948 [1935–48, Old Timey]
• Luderin Darbone's Hackberry Ramblers: Early Recordings: 1935–1950 [1935–50, Arhoolie], B+(***)
• Luderin Darbone's Hackberry Ramblers: Jolie Blonde [1963, Arhoolie], B+(**)
• Cajun Boogie [1992, Flying Fish], A–
• Deep Water [1997, Hot Biscuits]

Danny James (1945–91)

• Boogie in the Mud: Southern Swamp Guitar [(1996), Ace]

Beau Jocque (1957–99)

• Pick Up on This! [1994, Rounder]
• Check It Out, Lock It In, Crank It Up [1998, Rounder]

Doug Kershaw (1936– )

• Cajun Country Rockers [1979, Bear Family]
• The Best of Doug Kershaw [(1989), Warner Brothers]
• w/Rusty Kershaw: The Best of Doug Kershaw and Rusty Kershaw [(1991), Curb]

Sonny Landreth (1951– )

• South of I-10 [1995, Zoo]
• Crazy Cajun Recordings [(1999), Edsel]
• Levee Town [2000, Sugar Hill]
• Grant Street [2004, Sugar Hill], B–
• Blacktop Run [2020, Provogue], B+(*)

Eddie LeJeune (1951– )

• Cajun Soul [1988, Rounder]
• w/D.L. Menard, Ken Smith: Le Trio Cadien [1992, Rounder]

Iry LeJeune (1928–55)

• Cajun's Greatest: The Definitive Collection [(1994), Ace]

Lost Bayou Ramblers [2001– ]

• Kalenda [2017, Rice Pump], A–

Magnolia Sisters

• Chers Amis [2000, Rounder]

Dennis McGee (1893–1989)

• Complete Recordings 1929–1930 [1929–30, Yazoo]

D.L. Menard

• Cajun Saturday Night [1984, Rounder]
• D.L. Menard Sings "The Back Door" and His Other Cajun Hits [Swallow]

Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas [1989– ]

• Steady Rock [1989, Rounder]
• Follow Me Chicken [1993, Rounder]

Jimmy C. Newman (1927– )

• Bop a Hula / Diggy Liggy Lo [1953–58, Bear Family, 2 CD]
• The Alligator Man [1991, Rounder]
• Louisiana Saturday Night [Charly]

Queen Ida (1929– )

• The Queen Ida Zydeco Band on Tour [1982, GNP]
• In San Francisco [1988, GNP]
• Cookin' with Queen Ida [1989, GNP]

Red Stick Ramblers [2002– ]

• Bring It On Down [2003, Memphis International], B

Zachary Richard (1950– )

• Looking Back [(1985), Arzed]
• Women in the Room [1990, A&M]
• Cap Enragé [1997, Aris]
• Silver Jubilee: The Best of Zachary Richard [(2000), Rhino]

Steve Riley (1970– )

• Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys [1990, Rounder]
• 'Tit Galop pour Mamou [1992, Rounder], B+
• Trace of Time [1993, Rounder]
• Dominos [2005, Rounder], B+(***)

Rockin' Dopsie (1932–93)

• Big Bad Zydeco [1988, GNP]
• Louisiana Music [1991, Atlantic]

Rockin' Sidney (1938–98)

• My Toot Toot [(1986), Ace]

Ann Savoy (1952– )

• Another Heart [2024, Smithsonian Folkways], B+(*)

Marc Savoy (1940– )

• Oh What a Night [1988, Arhoolie]

Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band

• Home Music with Spirits [(1992), Arhoolie]
• Two Step d'Amédé [1996, Arhoolie]

Terrance Simien (1965– )

• Zydeco on the Bayou [1990, Restless]

Leo Soileau (1904–80)

• Early American Cajun Music: The Early Recordings of Leo Soileau [1928–37, Yazoo], B+

Jo-El Sonnier (1947– )

• The Complete Mercury Sessions [(1992), Mercury]
• Cajun Roots [1994, Rounder], B+(***)
• Cajun Young Blood [(1996), Ace]

Rufus Thibodeaux (1934– )

• The Cajun Country Fiddle of Rufus Thibodeaux [1987, La Louisianne]

Wayne Toups

• Zydecajun [1985, Mercury]
• Johnnie Can't Dance [1990, Mercury]

Justin Wilson

• Ol' Favorites [1987, Great Southern]

Various Artists

• Alligator Stomp, Vol. 1 [(1990), Rhino]
• Alligator Stomp, Vol. 2 [(1991), Rhino]
• Alligator Stomp, Vol. 3 [(1992), Rhino]
• Alligator Stomp, Vol. 4: Cajun Christmas [(1992), Rhino]
• Allons en Louisiane: The Rounder Records Guide to Cajun Music, Zydeco and South Louisiana [(1999), Rounder]
• Another Saturday Night: Classic Recordings from the Louisiana Bayou [(1990), Ace]
• Cajun Classics [(1995), Ace]
• Cajun Dance Party: Fais Do-Do [1928–34, Columbia/Legacy], B+
• A Cajun Music Anthology: Le Gran Mamou [1928–41, Country Music Foundation]
• A Cajun Music Anthology, Vol. 2: Raise Your Window [1928–41, Country Music Foundation], A–
• A Cajun Music Anthology: Gran Prairie 1935–1940 [1935–40, Country Music Foundation]
• Cajun Spice: Dance Music from South Louisiana [(1989), Rounder]
• Cajun String Bands: Cajun Breakdown: The 1930s [(1997), Arhoolie]
• Cajun, Vol. 1: Abbeville Breakdown 1929–1939 [1929–33, Columbia/Legacy], B+(***)
• Concerts for a Landmine Free World [1999–2000, Vanguard]
• Folksongs of the Louisiana Acadians [(1994), Arhoolie]
• J'ai Été au Bal, Vol. 1 [(1992), Arhoolie]
• J'ai Été au Bal, Vol. 2 [(1992), Arhoolie], B+
• Louisiana Cajun French Music, Vol. 2 [(1989), Rounder]
• Louisiana Saturday Night [1959–93, Ace], B+(***)
• Mardi Gras Party [1971–90, Rounder], A–
• More Cajun Classics [1928–41]
• Zydeco: The Early Years [(1989), Arhoolie]
• Putumayo Kids Presents: New Orleans Playground [1956–2003, Putumayo World Music], B+(*)
• Putumayo Presents: New Orleans Christmas [1995–2006, Putumayo World Music], B
• The Rough Guide to Cajun and Zydeco [(1997), World Music Network], B+
• The Rough Guide to Cajun Dance [(2004), World Music Network], B+
• Travailler C'est Trop Dur: The Lyrical Legacy of Caesar Vincent [(2018), Swallow, 2CD], B+(*)