Artist C.J. Chenier & His Red Hot Louisiana Band

The son of legendary zydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier, C.J. Chenier is known for bringing out the genre’s funkiest side. After his father’s death in the ’80s, Chenier retooled The Red Hot Louisiana Band, keeping the fire burning but bringing in a more mainstream, R&B-fueled sound. After hurricanes devastated his hometown of Port Arthur, Texas, Chenier responded with 2006’s The Desperate Kingdom Of Love. It’s an introspective album of downbeat Creole classics such as “Ain’t No Need In Cryin’” and “Black Snake Blues” alongside mournful covers of Hank Williams’ “Lost On The River” and the title track, written by P.J. Harvey. But for this live set, get ready to dance: Zydeco, after all, is fundamentally party music.

Updated 08/25/2009