The Big Squeeze

by C.J. Chenier

Overview

C.J. Chenier carries on the blues-drenched zydeco tradition of his father Clifton Chenier, but this effort, while competent, is just not as fun to listen to as a zydeco record ought to be. The arrangements by Vasti Jackson seem overwrought at times, as though the players (and there is no shortage here of guitarists, horns, or percussionists) are trying too hard. Bright highs and thick lows dominate the sound; one longs for more mid-range. C.J.'s voice sounds gruff, perhaps showing signs of wear and tear from ten years fronting the band he inherited from his father. Still, there are some fine cuts, like "Cheatin' on the Man You're Cheatin' With," "Lion's Den," and his dad's "No Shoes Zydeco," and C.J. remains one of the top talents on the zydeco circuit. ~ Steve Hoffman

Product Details

Release Date:	08/20/1996
Label:	Alligator Records
UPC:	0014551484424
Rank:	124909

Tracks

1. Au Contraire, Mon Frere
2. Don't You Just Know It
3. I Have the Right
4. Mixed up and Confused
5. Cheatin' on the Man You're Cheatin' With
6. Every Day I Have to Cry Some
7. I Can't Judge Nobody
8. Teddy Bear
9. The Moon Is Rising
10. Lion's Den
11. Part Time Woman
12. My Heart's Not Through Loving You
13. No Shoes Zydeco
14. Mon Cher 'Tite Bebe

Album Credits

Performance Credits

C.J. Chenier   Primary Artist,Flute,Vocals,Accordion,Sax (Alto)
Sam Fishkin   Percussion
Vasti Jackson   Bass,Guitar,Percussion
Brian Jensen   Percussion
Jerry Jumonville   Sax (Baritone)
Jon Smith   Sax (Tenor)
Mark Major   Guitar,Percussion
Harry Hypolite   Guitar,Triangle,Bass (Vocal)
Clifford Alexander   Rubboard,Percussion
Steve Howard   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Randi Anglin   Photography
Bernie Lowe   Composer
Clifton Chenier   Composer
Sam Fishkin   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering
Vasti Jackson   Arranger,Associate Producer
Kal Mann   Composer
Brian Jensen   Mixing,Assistant Engineer
C.J. Chenier   Composer,Producer
Dan Bellini   Design
Jay O'Rourke   Mastering
Huey "Piano" Smith   Composer
Otis Smokey Smothers   Composer
Arthur Alexander   Composer
Bruce Iglauer   Producer,Mastering
James   Composer
Matt Minde   Package Design
Jay Burton   Assistant Engineer
Tony Daigle   Assistant Engineer