Corey Ledet Zydeco & Black Magic – Live In Alaska
This 12-track set is 2-time Grammy nominee Corey Ledet’s 16th LP. He must be doing something right. This one’s a live showcase capturing the excitement of Ledet’s zydeco-infused music. The songs recorded in February 2025 find Corey armed with a ballistic accordion (called Black Magic).
Corey (aka the Accordion Dragon) tried to find the right live venue(s) to issue a live album, but it never happened. Not until he went to the Anchorage Folk Festival. His first live LP took shape with his Louisiana entourage as they performed tunes pulled from English & Creole traditions. Tunes that appeared on his previous 15 LPs.
The excitement also comes from the band’s ability to improvise, jam, & create a hot stew of varied musical flavors. Houston-born Corey (vocals/harmony/accordion) spent his summers in Louisiana, where he soaked up the Louisiana & Creole culture. Live In Alaska (Dropped Dec. 23/Independent/62:39) is basically self-produced. I was always a big fan of Buckwheat Zydeco & Clifton Chenier thanks to my Aunt Jewel — a Louisiana native. Buckwheat’s “Down Dallas Alley” & “Ma Tit Fille” are still locked in my Italian brain.
The opener’s an ear-tugger called “This Is All I Want.” Corey has that necessary high-pitched, desperate tone that enlivens the vocalizing of this type of music. He never lets up throughout the concert. No anxiety, in his vocal range, just energetic angst with drive, melody, Winchester rifle drum shots, & an ensemble that’s as tight as a lugnut on a rusty wheel.
Corey doesn’t only bring the Creole (roots in French culture, hence many French titles) music to Alaska, he brings swamp humidity & the audience must’ve felt the heat. Icicles were temporarily replaced by Spanish moss. “Boudin Man” is a flouncy 6-minute boil with a manic organ, fast snap snare beats & gnarly lead guitar with a pinch of “Land of a Thousand Dances.” Almost in a doo-wop mode is the upbeat “I Just Wanna Be Your Loving Man.” This too has a charging creative, simple drum & lead guitar loop de loops. The band doesn’t just play well, they’re having a good time.
The improvised “Alaska Funk” is loaded with Muscle Shoals flavor. Cecil’s commendable effort has the groove by the throat. “Aret To Trin,” & “J’Ai Parti Dans La Campagne” are high-octane Buckwheat Zydeco, good as displayed by Corey.
“Kofe T’Fe Ca” has a blistering lead guitar; if you don’t like politics … listen to Ledet instead.
Highlights – “This Is All I Want,” “Boudin Man,” “I Just Wanna Be Your Loving Man,” “Alaska Funk,” “Aret To Trin,” “Push Me Away,” “Kofe T’Fe Ca,” “M’Ape Gonn A Dauphine,” “J’Ai Parti Dans La Campagne” & “Outro.”
Musicians – Cecil Green (keys/bass/harmony), James Adams (washboard/vocals), Gregg Potier (washboard/percussion), Jean-Paul Jolivette (drums), Julian Primeaux (guitar/vocals) & Lucien Hayes (guitar).
CD images courtesy of Travis Gauthier. CD @ Bandcamp & https://coreyledet.com/about/ + https://www.howlinwuelf.com/clients/corey-ledet/
