TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR
NATHAN & THE ZYDECO CHA CHAS
“The Zydeco Hog . . . Hotter than tabasco sauce on a crawdad!”
Thursday, July 27, 7:30 PM – Capitol Theatre, Chambersburg
Admission: $15, Students (K-12) $8
Call 717-261-1220!
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Thursday, July 27, 7:30 PM- Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas – Capitol Theatre, Chambersburg. Zydeco is among the most vigorous and exciting of all roots music styles, and the zydeco sound popular in South Louisiana dancehalls often lends itself more to dancing. World renowned Nathan Williams, dubbed “The Zydeco Hog”, is a master of the piano-style accordion, the same instrument played by Clifton Chenier and Buckwheat Zydeco. He has recorded seven albums for Rounder Records. “Hotter than tabasco sauce on a crawdad!” Admission $15, Students (K-12) $8. Made possible through generous support from Don and Linda Diehl. For more information about Nathan Williams, visit: Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Nathan
Williams is different. While the rest of the zydeco nation wrestles over who
will be crowned the next king-- or prince or duke -- of zydeco, Nathan has given
himself the decidedly un-royal sounding moniker, "The Zydeco Hog," and continued
to focus on the music for which he is renowned.
Let's Go!, Nathan's seventh recording for
Rounder Records, is different as well. You don't necessarily have to be a
zydeco fan to dig this music. Nathan's mix of playful lyrics and bouncing
rhythms are infused with contemporary arrangements that could very well lead
zydeco music into the mainstream. Zydeco is among the most vigorous and exciting
of all roots music styles, but the zydeco sound popular in South Louisiana
dancehalls often lends itself more to dancing than to an album-length listening
experience. Enter Nathan with his mastery of the piano-style accordion, the same
instrument played by Clifton Chenier and Buckwheat Zydeco.
With six Rounder recordings in 10 years, accordionist
Nathan Williams of Lafayette, Louisiana has established a solid reputation as
one of zydeco's top songwriters and entertainers. His talents flourish on this
disc with 14 original songs. The skillful Cha Chas hump from the start with
"Let's Go!" and end with a Creole French tribute to their homeland's tasty
cuisine with "Le Bon Manger." In between there are rousing and bluesy stories of
tipsy or frigid girlfriends, parties, lost love and the power of positive
thinking in the face of eviction, unemployment and car repossession.
For six months, the band poured their hearts and souls into preparing for this
album. Scott Billington produced the album at Ultrasonic Studios in New Orleans.
The band consists of Nathan Williams, accordion and vocals; Dennis Paul
Williams, guitars; Allen "Cat Roy" Broussard, alto and tenor saxophones; Wayne
Bums, bass; Mark Anthony Williams, rubboard; and Gerard St. Julien, Jr. drums.
Tenor saxophonist Derek Huston guests on "Everything Happens for the Best," "Zydeco
is All I Know" and "Stay Out All Night," and producer Billington adds harmonica
to "Let's Go" and "El Sid O's Party."
Let's Go! is the crowning achievement for an artist who has not sought
the titles and flashy headgear that have characterized the efforts of some of
his contemporaries. Instead he has focused on making the best music possible.
This is the recording that will lift Nathan above his peers and rightfully
secure his place in the same company as Clifton Chenier and Buckwheat Zydeco.
CRITICAL PRAISE:
The Cha Chas takes the audience not only to another
region, but to another time - emphasizing that the spirit of zydeco still burns
hot."
- Blues Revue, Michael Cote
"A dance king equipped with a gripping groove...a motorin' joy ride that cruises
all the way through a happy fest for happy feet."
- offBEAT, Dan Willging
"Williams pushes the simple, R&B-inflected music into near pop perfection by
placing strong melodies over the classic syncopated rhythms.... As a songwriter
Williams cannot be beat."
- Boston Globe, Clea Simon
"One of the nation's premier dance bands. Where younger zydeco stars' music
pumps, his swings."
- Blues Rag, Joen Keenan
"Tooting saxophones, chicken scratch on the rubboard and zesty guitar licks that
would make Snooks Eaglin proud. Hotter than Tabasco sauce on a crawdad."
- Syracuse New Times, Allen Czelusniak
"One of the most consistently solid bands on the live scene for over a
decade.... Williams' multi-flavored approach is like a breath of fresh air."
- 3rd COAST MUSIC, Dan Ferguson