“It sounds like a funked-up, wound-up, swamp-rat Booker T. & The MG’s featuring accordion instead of Hammond B-3 …Now that’s a party!!!” — Blues Revue
“…Roy Carrier carries the torch of real, blues based Louisiana zydeco into the next millennium.” — Blues Scene Quarterly
Living Legend will provide listeners with a great education on the roots of zydeco. Lala was a music played by just two instruments: Fiddle, or accordion as the primary accompanied by scrub board. There are three LaLa cuts here in two different styles—the frenetic pace of “Whatcha’ Gonna Do with a Man Like That,” and two slower tempo, bluesy songs, “Do the LaLa Dance” and “I Come From the Country.” Four great examples of Roy’s trademark peddle-to-the-metal zydeco, “Put a Hump In Your Back,” “I Got Something For You Baby,” “She Burnt the Bacon” and “You Got Me Dancing.” The rhythm & blues flavored “Take Me Crosstown” and “Everybody Call Me Shoon.” Two zydeco cuts on the button or Cajun accordion with “Bring Me Coffee In the Morning” and “Don’t Touch That.” No Roy Carrier set would be complete without a healthy dose of straight ahead blues and that slot is filled ably by “You Told Me That You Love Me.” Living Legend marks Roy’s very first collection of material to have major distribution. Many thanks to David Earl and Severn Records for helping make that happen. — Wayne Kahn, Executive Producer
LINER NOTES
It all started with a man named Chris Johnson that opened up the fire that was yet to burn. With a guitar in my hand I was mixing sin from delta blues, soul music and rock & roll. Playing in a little clubs in Church Point, The Me To Club and Ben Butler’s. Working in the fields to support my family. As you know I have one finger that departed from a work injury but that did not stop the hard-core sound of Roy Carrier. After years passed working offshore I again picked up the accordion and the traditional music stays with me even today. — Roy Carrier
MUSICIANS
Roy Carrier: Accordian, Vocals
Raymond Randle: Guitar
Kevin Carrier: Bass, Backup Vocal
Stevie “Skeeter” Chariot: Drums, Backup Vocal
Phillip Carrieré: Scrub Board
CREDITS
Executive Producer: Wayne Kahn
Recorded at Severn Studios
Recording/Mixing & Mastering: David Earl
2nd Scrub Board on Track 6: Wayne Kahn
Design by Al Brandtner, Brandtner Design, Chicago, IL
Cover Photo by Marty Katz
Back Cover Photo: Outside Crossroads Café in Antwerp Belgium by Claudia Schlosberg
Additional Photos Courtesy of Roy Carrier Archives