Silver Jubilee: Best Of Zachary Richard 1973-1998 CD

Includes liner notes by Thane Tierney, Todd Mouton & Zachary Richard.

Digitally remastered by Andrew Garver & Bill Inglot (1999, A&M Mastering).

A key figure in raising the profile of Cajun music and culture, Zachary Richard has been performing and recording since the early 1970s, and represents not only the best of traditional Acadien music, but also its suitability for blending with other styles. SILVER JUBILEE is Rhino's 19-track summation of Richard's achievements between 1973 and 1998, and as such stands as not only a fine sampler of the artist's music, but an excellent introduction for the Cajun neophyte.

Naturally, there are some old-school Cajun numbers, with their penchant for two-step rhythms and accordion-heavy lines, but Richard's arrangements of these tunes give them a sprightly new life. Of particular interest, too, is Richard's feel for R&B and blues, especially by way of the New Orleans groove tradition, and the inclusion of this material (some of it penned by Richard himself) gives a nice balance to the more conventional sounds of rural Louisiana. With its ample doses of regional pride, lyricism, hard boogie, and general good times, SILVER JUBILEE is a must for Cajun and zydeco fans, and should appeal to anyone interested in traditional Louisiana fare.

Compilation Producer: Thane Tierney.

Personnel includes: Zachary Richard (vocals, acoustic guitar, French dulcimer, harmonica, Acadian accordion, piano); Kenneth Richard (vocals, mandolin); Big Steve Broussard (acoustic, electric & slide guitars); Sonny Landreth (acoustic & electric guitars, dobro); Bessyl Duhon, Michael Doucet (fiddle); Bonnie Guidry (violin).

Producers include: Pierre Lattes, Dominique Blanc-Francard, Jim Scott, Bill Wray, Oliver Bloch-Laine.