The Rolling Stones in French, Lucinda Williams and more pay tribute to Zydeco legend Clifton Chenier


Valcour Records

By MARIA SHERMAN
April 24, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — The Rolling Stones’Mick Jagger sings in swaggering French. Louisiana native Lucinda Williams delivers a slow, slinky, swamp pop sound. Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, Jimmie Vaughan, Charley Crockett and more energize Creole classics from accordionist and pioneer Clifton Chenier, the late King of Zydeco.

Chenier, who died in 1987 due to diabetes-related kidney disease, would’ve turned 100 on June 25. To celebrate his centennial, Valcour Records founder Joel Savoy and Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin teamed up with executive producer John Leopold to produce “A Tribute to the King,” out June 27.

Savoy’s primary role was to assemble the local backing band to support these artists — and to spotlight “the Zydeco legacy families,” he said. “My job was to help create a house band paired with the best accordion players representing Clifton’s style and the appropriate people for this project.”

It was a tall order. “In the same way Muddy Waters more or less invented electric blues, Clifton effectively invented what is now known as Zydeco. It’s that driving beat,” said Berlin. This tribute album “is not just a fun record,” he adds, “But we’re also telling the history of this music as well.”

And telling it with some incredible artists who double as longtime fans. The Stones’ Keith Richards said in a statement, “Zydeco and Clifton Chenier have been with me since forever! It’s deep South with some interesting French.”

The first song out from “A Tribute to the King” is “Release Me,” performed as a duet by Williams and Tommy McLain.

C.C. Adcock, who produced the track, said the song “frames them as two old sweethearts who’ve been through the wreckage and the ropes of a relationship (and maybe even of this life of honky-tonk one-nighters) and are asking to please be released,” he wrote in a statement. “Both of their souls are so pure as artists and as people.”

Also included in the star-studded lineup is CJ Chenier, Clifton’s son. “It was an honor to be a part of this project with all of these wonderful, ultra talented artists celebrating my dad’s 100th birthday,” he said in a statement.

“The point of this album was to reflect the reach that Clifton’s music had across the whole spectrum of American music,” Savoy adds. “To show that people like Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Charlie Crockett and the Rolling Stones have been touched by this music and specifically wanted to be part of this project to pay homage to Clifton, who influenced them.”

All proceeds from “A Tribute to the King” will fund the newly established Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship, which will provide financial assistance to students studying traditional music — specifically zydeco accordion — at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

“A Tribute to the King of Zydeco” Tracklist

1. “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés,” The Rolling Stones and Steve Riley

2. “Easy Easy Baby,” Charley Crockett and Nathan Williams, Sr.

3. “Hey ’Tite Fille,” Taj Mahal and Keith Frank

4. “Release Me,” Lucinda Williams, Tommy McClain and Keith Frank

5. “Just Like A Woman,” Steve Earle and Anthony Dopsie

6. “I’m On The Wonder,” Jon Cleary and Curley Taylor

7. “My Soul,” Jimmie Vaughan, Johnny Nicholas and Steve Riley

8. “Hot Rod,” David Hidalgo and CJ Chenier

9. “Tout Le Temps En Temps,” Shannon McNally, Keith Frank and Molly Tuttle

10. “Ay Ai Ai,” Ruben Ramos with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Meyers

11. “I May Be Wrong,” Marcia Ball and Geno Delafose

12. “I’m Coming Home,” CJ Chenier and Sonny Landreth

13. “You Used To Call Me,” John Hiatt and Roddie Romero

14. “Why Did You Go Last Night,” Kam Franklin, A.J. Haynes and Roddie Romero

[apnews.com]

--

"Release Me" - Lucinda Williams

Various Artists - A Tribute to The King of Zydeco (Clifton Chenier):




CD: [Amazon.com] , [ProperMusic.com] , [iMusic.co] , [Fnac.com] , [www.Juno.co.uk] , [www.jpc.de] .

Vinyl-LP: [Amazon.com] , [BarnesAndNoble.com] , [iMusic.co] , [TowerRecords.ie] , [www.Juno.co.uk] , [www.jpc.de] .

Digital: [Qobuz.com] .

7" Vinyl-Single: [Amazon.com] , [ProperMusic.com] , [Badlands.co.uk] , [iMusic.co] , [www.Juno.co.uk] , [RoughTrade.com] .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-03 19:05 by Irix.

Runtimes:

01 - Zydeco Sont Pas Salés - The Rolling Stones - 2:45
02 - Easy Easy Baby - Charley Crockett - 4:00
03 - Hey 'Tite Fille - Taj Mahal - 3:57
04 - Release Me - Lucinda Williams - 3:55
05 - Just Like a Woman - Steve Earle - 3:51
06 - I'm on the Wonder - Jon Cleary - 3:48
07 - Why Did You Go Last Night - Kam Franklin - 3:21
08 - Hot Rod - David Hidalgo - 3:22
09 - Tout Le Temps En Temps - Shannon McNally - 3:59
10 - My Soul - Jimmie Vaughan - 4:11
11 - You Used to Call Me - John Hiatt - 3:54
12 - Ay Ai Ai - Ruben Ramos - 3:00
13 - I May Be Wrong - Marcia Ball - 3:53
14 - I'm Coming Home - C.J. Chenier - 5:13

The Rolling Stones are featured on this tribute album for a Louisiana zydeco legend

By HERMAN FUSELIER
April 24.2025


Louisiana Folk Roots/Todd Mouton


Millions of music fans will ask the same question in the coming months: "What in the world are the Rolling Stones doing on a tribute album to a Creole-speaking, accordion player from Opelousas, Louisiana?"

Before the Stones became rock icons with 250 million records sold, they were studying the accordion boogie and blues of Clifton Chenier, heralded as the king of southwest Louisiana dance music called zydeco.

“Clifton was a great influence on me,” Mick Jagger told Far Out magazine in a 2020 interview. “We first listened to him around 1965 when we went to the States. I love the way he just grabs a blues number and adapts it to his style.”

Jagger and the Stones perform on “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco,” a 14-song album that salutes the centennial of Chenier’s birth, June 25, 1925. Chenier became a Grammy Hall of Fame musician and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner with admirers across the globe.

The tribute album, released on musician Joel Savoy’s Valcour Records label based in Eunice, pairs rock, folk and blues icons with zydeco and Cajun musicians performing Chenier classics. The record was officially announced April 24 with the release of the first single, “Release Me” featuring Lucinda Williams, swamp pop legend Tommy McLain and “Zydeco Boss” Keith Frank.

Other featured artists include Jimmie Vaughan, Taj Mahal, Charley Crockett, Ruben Ramos with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Myers, Marcia Ball, John Hiatt, Johnny Nicholas, Shannon McNally, Molly Tuttle, Steve Earle, David Hidalgo, Sonny Landreth, Jon Cleary, AJ Haynes and Kam Franklin. Homegrown accordionists include Clifton’s son, C.J. Chenier, along with Nathan Williams Sr., Geno Delafose, Roddie Romero, Anthony Dopsie and Curley Taylor.

Grammy winner Steve Riley and the Stones perform “Zydeco Sont Pas Sales,” with Jagger singing the Creole lyrics. The single will be released this summer.

Profits from record sales will be donated to a Chenier memorial scholarship at the Center for Louisiana Studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The fund will offer financial assistance to students learning zydeco accordion in UL’s traditional music program.

No worries of stolen licks

The Stones’ long interest in Chenier and zydeco is the stuff of legend and lore. In Michael Tisserand’s “Kingdom of Zydeco” book, Lafayette saxophonist Dickie Landry tells the story of bringing Jagger to a 1970s Chenier dance at the Verbum Dei High School auditorium in South Central Los Angeles.

Landry tells Chenier that Mick Jagger with the Rolling Stones wants to meet him. Chenier replies, “That magazine. They did a good article on me.”

Jagger arrives by limo, afraid to cause a scene. Landry assures Jagger all is well as he and Chenier connect during the intermission.

“All of a sudden, this group of people come with autograph papers,” said Landry. “Jagger starts backing up, and they walk right by him to get to Clifton.”

Before their 1994 concert in the Superdome, the Stones watched zydeco sensation Beau Jocque at the famed dance hall/bowling alley, Rock ‘N’ Bowl. Music writer Keith Spera recounts that the band had to pay the iron-clad $5 cover charge.

When a Stones security guard asked cover enforcer Sherry Blady Pitre if she was serious, Pitre shot back, “Is he going to let me into his concert for free?”

Later, the dancers barely noticed Jagger and the band at a table near the bandstand. But Beau Jocque noticed and told owner Johnnie Blancher, “That’s why I turned my back, so they wouldn’t steal my licks.”

Lafayette’s Dwayne Dopsie, nicknamed "The Jimi Hendrix of the Accordion," had no worries of stolen licks when he performed last year with the Stones at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. More than 500,000 cheered as Dopsie joined the band on stage for “Let It Bleed,” the title song from their 1969 album.

“I felt like we had been knowing each other for a long time,” said Dopsie. “We just hit it.”

Stay tuned for more lore as the Stones dance with zydeco and its king continues.

[www.nola.com]

Quote
Irix
Runtimes:

01 - Zydeco Sont Pas Salés - The Rolling Stones - 2:45
02 - Easy Easy Baby - Charley Crockett - 4:00
03 - Hey 'Tite Fille - Taj Mahal - 3:57
04 - Release Me - Lucinda Williams - 3:55
05 - Just Like a Woman - Steve Earle - 3:51
06 - I'm on the Wonder - Jon Cleary - 3:48
07 - Why Did You Go Last Night - Kam Franklin - 3:21
08 - Hot Rod - David Hidalgo - 3:22
09 - Tout Le Temps En Temps - Shannon McNally - 3:59
10 - My Soul - Jimmie Vaughan - 4:11
11 - You Used to Call Me - John Hiatt - 3:54
12 - Ay Ai Ai - Ruben Ramos - 3:00
13 - I May Be Wrong - Marcia Ball - 3:53
14 - I'm Coming Home - C.J. Chenier - 5:13

wouldn't it just firgure they get the shortest song on the set

Release me Lucinda Williams
first song released

Thanks for the hint. This is promising to be quite a good CD, given all the talent involved. It's a new entry on my wish list!

Looks like the Lobos' very own David Hidalgo and Max Baca of Los Texmaniacs are going to be playing their accordions themselves while most of the other popular singers get an accordion master to play with them. The guest list is making me wonder how Flaco Jimenez is doing these days.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-04-27 11:43 by billwebster.

Just found this. It purports to be an unpacking video for a test pressing of the Stones' single, "Zydeco Sont Pas Sale."

[www.instagram.com]

Augie Meyers and Taj Mahal are on it as well! Lookin' good!

Second single, Taj Mahal and Keith Frank - "Hey 'Tite Fille"

Quote
KindaBlue
Just found this. It purports to be an unpacking video for a test pressing of the Stones' single, "Zydeco Sont Pas Sale."

[www.instagram.com]

That's kinda awesome, thanks for digging that up!

Quote
billwebster
Thanks for the hint. This is promising to be quite a good CD, given all the talent involved. It's a new entry on my wish list!

Looks like the Lobos' very own David Hidalgo and Max Baca of Los Texmaniacs are going to be playing their accordions themselves while most of the other popular singers get an accordion master to play with them. The guest list is making me wonder how Flaco Jimenez is doing these days.

…and too bad Buckwheat wasn’t around for it

Quote
treaclefingers

That's kinda awesome, thanks for digging that up!

It was originally posted on 20-Apr-2025 by Lien : [iorr.org] .

The Rolling Stones in this context means? Jagger & Richards?

Quote
Irix

Quote
treaclefingers

That's kinda awesome, thanks for digging that up!

It was originally posted on 20-Apr-2025 by Lien : [iorr.org] .

Thanks Irix. Well we all need someone we can Lien on.

Zydeco et Pas Sales" is a song with humble origins that gave its name to an entire musical tradition. Translating to snapbeans and no salt, a reference to the hardships of rural poverty, the song had a long history in the Louisiana countryside before it became a signature hit for Clifton Chenier, known as the King of Zydeco. With just his voice, accordion, washboard, and drums, Chenier fuses blues and R&B with the Creole and Cajun music bedrock of South Louisiana to create music that moves you. Now, sixty years after Chenier first recorded it, The Rolling Stones give the song their signature treatment. "Zydeco Sont Pas Sales" turns the accordion-driven classic into a rapturous rock'n'roll anthem. Sung entirely in French by Mick Jagger and featuring the spirited playing of iconic Louisiana accordionist Steve Riley, the Stones pay tribute to one of their musical heroes by capturing the whole-hearted euphoria of Chenier's performances.

This limited edition 7" single features the Rolling Stones raucous version of the song on its South side. On the North side is a version from Chenier's 1965 sessions with Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz, offering a contrasting take on the rollicking shuffle heard on his debut album. Taken together, these two versions of the zydeco classic evidence the ways that the Black music at the heart of zydeco and rock'n'roll--blues with its depth and grit, and R&B with its cadence and soul--have traversed the globe and united people and traditions.


Tracklisting

Side 1
1. Zydeco et Pas Sales - Clifton Chenier
Side 2
1. Zydeco Sont Pas Sales - Rolling Stones ft. Steve Riley



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-02 22:09 by snarf2014.

Quote
Stoneage
The Rolling Stones in this context means? Jagger & Richards?

From Rockman's "Some Kinda Stones Connection" thread - no source cited.



[iorr.org]

Thanks Bye Bye Johnny for the info. So Ronnie is involved too.

[video][/video]

Quote
snarf2014


Zydeco et Pas Sales" is a song with humble origins that gave its name to an entire musical tradition. Translating to snapbeans and no salt, a reference to the hardships of rural poverty, the song had a long history in the Louisiana countryside before it became a signature hit for Clifton Chenier, known as the King of Zydeco. With just his voice, accordion, washboard, and drums, Chenier fuses blues and R&B with the Creole and Cajun music bedrock of South Louisiana to create music that moves you. Now, sixty years after Chenier first recorded it, The Rolling Stones give the song their signature treatment. "Zydeco Sont Pas Sales" turns the accordion-driven classic into a rapturous rock'n'roll anthem. Sung entirely in French by Mick Jagger and featuring the spirited playing of iconic Louisiana accordionist Steve Riley, the Stones pay tribute to one of their musical heroes by capturing the whole-hearted euphoria of Chenier's performances.

This limited edition 7" single features the Rolling Stones raucous version of the song on its South side. On the North side is a version from Chenier's 1965 sessions with Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz, offering a contrasting take on the rollicking shuffle heard on his debut album. Taken together, these two versions of the zydeco classic evidence the ways that the Black music at the heart of zydeco and rock'n'roll--blues with its depth and grit, and R&B with its cadence and soul--have traversed the globe and united people and traditions.


Tracklisting

Side 1
1. Zydeco et Pas Sales - Clifton Chenier
Side 2
1. Zydeco Sont Pas Sales - Rolling Stones ft. Steve Riley

Avail to order on Amazon in USA.

Quote
Jfk19562003
[video][/video]

Quote
snarf2014


Zydeco et Pas Sales" is a song with humble origins that gave its name to an entire musical tradition. Translating to snapbeans and no salt, a reference to the hardships of rural poverty, the song had a long history in the Louisiana countryside before it became a signature hit for Clifton Chenier, known as the King of Zydeco. With just his voice, accordion, washboard, and drums, Chenier fuses blues and R&B with the Creole and Cajun music bedrock of South Louisiana to create music that moves you. Now, sixty years after Chenier first recorded it, The Rolling Stones give the song their signature treatment. "Zydeco Sont Pas Sales" turns the accordion-driven classic into a rapturous rock'n'roll anthem. Sung entirely in French by Mick Jagger and featuring the spirited playing of iconic Louisiana accordionist Steve Riley, the Stones pay tribute to one of their musical heroes by capturing the whole-hearted euphoria of Chenier's performances.

This limited edition 7" single features the Rolling Stones raucous version of the song on its South side. On the North side is a version from Chenier's 1965 sessions with Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz, offering a contrasting take on the rollicking shuffle heard on his debut album. Taken together, these two versions of the zydeco classic evidence the ways that the Black music at the heart of zydeco and rock'n'roll--blues with its depth and grit, and R&B with its cadence and soul--have traversed the globe and united people and traditions.


Tracklisting

Side 1
1. Zydeco et Pas Sales - Clifton Chenier
Side 2
1. Zydeco Sont Pas Sales - Rolling Stones ft. Steve Riley

Avail to order on Amazon in USA.

and ordered

thank you for pointing that out

[www.amazon.com]

7" Vinyl available in the UK via [ProperMusic.com] - (£10.99) , [Badlands.co.uk] - (£9.99) , [iMusic.uk] - (£17.49).



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-03 17:35 by Irix.

anyone else get a voodoo lounge feel from the two figures in the cover art?

Quote
ProfessorWolf


anyone else get a voodoo lounge feel from the two figures in the cover art?

ha ha...those dots maybe?

Quote
treaclefingers

Quote
ProfessorWolf


anyone else get a voodoo lounge feel from the two figures in the cover art?

ha ha...those dots maybe?

yeah

especially the red one with black dots

not that i think it's intentional or anything

Two Dancers , @Francis X. Pavy, 1985


Francis X. Pavy is a painter and mixed-media artist known for retelling the traditional stories and folklore of South Louisiana through a visual vocabulary of mystic iconography and vibrant colors. Pavy’s career as an artist began as a ceramist before working in glass for many years, eventually transitioning to brush painting, mixed media, and block printing. Common themes in his work include Cajun and Creole music, folk-mysticism, and the native flora and fauna of the Gulf Coast. Francis’ work is represented in galleries around the United States and his work is held in national and international collections.




[shop.pavy.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-04 10:12 by Lien.

Quote
ProfessorWolf

anyone else get a voodoo lounge feel from the two figures in the cover art?

Yes: Google Lens. When you search via Google Lens the original picture of the 7" Vinyl cover, it shows you after Francis X Pavy indeed 'Voodoo Lounge Uncut'.

Single limited to 2500 copies worldwide, released in celebration of the centennial anniversary of Clifton Chenier's birth.
Brand new recording of the Rolling Stones performing the zydeco classic "Zydeco et Pas Sales," one of Clifton Chenier's signature songs.
Produced by CC Adcock and featuring iconic Louisiana musicians Steve Riley, Ivan Neville, Zachary Richard, and Robert St. Julian.
The Rolling Stones' "Zydeco Sont Pas Sales" is featured on upcoming tribute compilation Tribute to the King of Zydeco.

[badlands.co.uk]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-04 22:34 by snarf2014.

^
Single is sold out at that online retailer.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2025-06-04 22:39 by bye bye johnny.

Quote
bye bye johnny
^
Single is sold out at that online retailer.

Posted because of the information this release is limited to 2500 copies
2500 copies is significant