Okay, so I promised in my 2008 Grammy Preview that I wasn't going to comment on the brand-new category for Cajun and Zydeco Music. However, the talk surrounding this new category has gotten very interesting, to say the least. The Grammy Awards are always a source of speculation and, well, whining - from the biggest categories to the most obscure, no one ever seems happy with the winners, let alone the nominees.
So, as predicted by many, the first year of the Cajun and Zydeco category is proving no different. The two biggest complaints are: 1) There aren't enough Zydeco artists in the batch of nominees (only 2 made it - Terrance Simien and Geno Delafose). 2) One of the nominees (Lisa Haley) is not only not of Cajun or Creole heritage, but is an out-of-stater whose music is only marginally Zydeco. Now, I agree slightly with both of these complaints. The nomination process ended up with a three-way tie, making for a whopping seven nominees (theoretically, each category should only have five). It'd be nice if these nominees were more evenly split between Cajun music and Zydeco, but frankly, it's not shocking that they're not - there are more hard-touring Cajun bands than there are Zydeco bands. Zydeco is simply a better "sell" in Louisiana, whereas Cajun music is a better "sell" out-of-state. Since the Grammy Awards are voted on by people around the country, those folks are more likely to pick bands that they've heard of.
The second complaint also seems reasonable. It sure would be nice if an authentic band won the award the first year that it existed, though it wouldn't be unprecedented if it didn't happen: Bruce Hornsby won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album the year that they introduced that category. Hey, I love me some Bruce Hornsby, but he's not exactly steeped in the mountain tradition, y'know? However, my biggest issue with the fact that Lisa Haley is nominated is that she's... well... not that good. It's pretty schmaltzy "I chased down an alligator with a crawfish in my hand while I was riding my pirogue on Lake Ponchartrain [insert cheesy fiddle solo here]" stuff - the opposite of what authentic Cajun and Zydeco music really is - songs of heartache and pain, set to danceable beats. However, Lisa Haley has a shot at the award, partly because she's based in LA and therefore has worked with many artists and industry folks out there, and also because she's the only female nominee, which sets her apart from the rest.
So who should win? I honestly can't make up my mind. I have personal connections to most of these bands, and choosing between them is just too difficult. As far as who's earned the award the most, it'd probably have to be Terrance Simien, who (along with his industry mover-and-shaker wife, Cynthia) pioneered the push for the separate Grammy category. Terrance's album isn't my favorite out of the nominees, though (mostly because I don't usually like live albums), so it's really hard to say. Mostly, I'm just grateful that there's a Grammy category for yet another genre of world music, though, and I think it's about time that Cajun and Zydeco artists are getting the recognition that they deserve.
So, as predicted by many, the first year of the Cajun and Zydeco category is proving no different. The two biggest complaints are: 1) There aren't enough Zydeco artists in the batch of nominees (only 2 made it - Terrance Simien and Geno Delafose). 2) One of the nominees (Lisa Haley) is not only not of Cajun or Creole heritage, but is an out-of-stater whose music is only marginally Zydeco. Now, I agree slightly with both of these complaints. The nomination process ended up with a three-way tie, making for a whopping seven nominees (theoretically, each category should only have five). It'd be nice if these nominees were more evenly split between Cajun music and Zydeco, but frankly, it's not shocking that they're not - there are more hard-touring Cajun bands than there are Zydeco bands. Zydeco is simply a better "sell" in Louisiana, whereas Cajun music is a better "sell" out-of-state. Since the Grammy Awards are voted on by people around the country, those folks are more likely to pick bands that they've heard of.
The second complaint also seems reasonable. It sure would be nice if an authentic band won the award the first year that it existed, though it wouldn't be unprecedented if it didn't happen: Bruce Hornsby won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album the year that they introduced that category. Hey, I love me some Bruce Hornsby, but he's not exactly steeped in the mountain tradition, y'know? However, my biggest issue with the fact that Lisa Haley is nominated is that she's... well... not that good. It's pretty schmaltzy "I chased down an alligator with a crawfish in my hand while I was riding my pirogue on Lake Ponchartrain [insert cheesy fiddle solo here]" stuff - the opposite of what authentic Cajun and Zydeco music really is - songs of heartache and pain, set to danceable beats. However, Lisa Haley has a shot at the award, partly because she's based in LA and therefore has worked with many artists and industry folks out there, and also because she's the only female nominee, which sets her apart from the rest.
So who should win? I honestly can't make up my mind. I have personal connections to most of these bands, and choosing between them is just too difficult. As far as who's earned the award the most, it'd probably have to be Terrance Simien, who (along with his industry mover-and-shaker wife, Cynthia) pioneered the push for the separate Grammy category. Terrance's album isn't my favorite out of the nominees, though (mostly because I don't usually like live albums), so it's really hard to say. Mostly, I'm just grateful that there's a Grammy category for yet another genre of world music, though, and I think it's about time that Cajun and Zydeco artists are getting the recognition that they deserve.
Comments
Hi..just stopping by to say a Happy New Year…interesting post there, and i’ve bookmarked this blog too…keep up the good job
Megan, of all the comments I have heard regarding this subject and Lisa Haley’s Album, I think you have summarized it best; it’s just not good. I wrote her an e-mail and she gave me a very poignant response, stating her claim to Louisiana, a Creole guy in CA, etc. Claim or no claim, the point is that the music just isn’t good. She will probably win because I don’t see any of our local bands doing the media blitz that Blue Fiddle is. And so, the world turns…
Just subscribed to your blog, and already I’m loving it.
This specific issue aside (the Lisa Haley nomination) I think we’re always going to run into problems with world music. Is it authentic enough to be ascribed to a world music category (i.e. Zydeco), or is it mainstream enough to appeal to the largest number of listeners? When does world music stop being world music?
This is going to be an issue with the genre for ever.
Nice coverage of the Z/C cat. Agree with you on all points, not enough Creole bands, and Lisa Haley? Puh-leez. I’ve played for alot of the good Z cats, and was with Terrance’s band when he and Cynthia began lobbying NARAS for the category. Congrats guys, you earned it!
Danny Williams is the keyboard player for Terrance, and has been for 18 years. He is my uncle, and one hell of an individual. When you win, you win because of preparation and dedication. No disrespect to any other nominee, they are all world class at this point. At the same time, NO ONE can dispute that Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience deserve this honor. Over the years they’ve done nothing less than push the limits of Cajun music, and for that, they are the best in class!! Bare footed and bead headed, sho’ ya right.
I should have expected a political decision by the Grammy judges, but I admit I was taken by surprise anyway. So they gave it to Terrance because he lobbied for the category. Apparently the fact that his CD was a bunch of tired old retreaded songs with the usual Terrance Simien sellout reggae number and everyone’s favorite Zydeco tune, the Star Spangled Banner. Lost Bayou Ramblers, Pine Leaf Boys, Geno Delafose and The Racines all produced better music on their disks by a mile. Also, the reason for the majority of Cajun in the category is that recent releases favor Cajun over Zydeco is that the Cajun releases have been better for the last year. I hate the grammys and all commercialism in music. Plus, Cajun and Zydeco are not world music, it from right here in the USA.
It must be painful being you Boris. The Simien CD and Grammy win was just as deserving as any other, but what would you know about zydeco, his career or Creole culture? It was a live CD and if you knew the differences between a studio recording and a live, you’d know that, yes there would be some familiar songs that had been performed before. You seem only to care about or have any knowledge (limited at best I’m sure) about Cajun music. I would bet you are not even from Louisiana, certainly not in the industry and once again we encounter “a know it all” who really knows nothing about the history of Louisiana and its music culture.
I value the blog post.Much thanks again. Will read on…