Bon Ton Roulet!

Bon Ton Roulet! (Let the Good Times Roll!), Clifton Chenier’s second full-length album, underscores his legacy as a party-starting musician for local Black French Creole communities up and down the Gulf Coast. Chenier leads festive shuffles, impassioned blues numbers, and spirited two-steps, which give a window into the breadth of styles that make up the zydeco music he originated and popularized. These selections put Chenier’s commanding accordion-playing on display, while also notably featuring his uncle, the skilled fiddle player Morris “Big” Chenier. “Big” Chenier can be heard prominently on “Black Gal,” a blues song that became a regional hit. The album was primarily recorded in Houston by Arhoolie’s Chris Strachwitz in 1966, but is punctuated by an iconic, barn-burning 1964 recording of Ay Ai Ai, originally released as Chenier’s first single on Arhoolie.

Track Listing

1	Bon Ton Roulet Clifton Chenier	03:09
2	Frog Legs Clifton Chenier	02:12
3	If I Ever Get Lucky Clifton Chenier	02:43
4	Black Gal Clifton Chenier	02:38
5	Long Toes Clifton Chenier	02:11
6	Baby, Please Don't Go Clifton Chenier	02:26
7	Ma Negresse Clifton Chenier	03:07
8	Sweet Little Doll Clifton Chenier	01:42
9	Jole Blonde Clifton Chenier	03:10
10	Ay Ai Ai Clifton Chenier	02:45
11	I Can't Stop Loving You Clifton Chenier	02:38
12	Keep on Scratching Clifton Chenier	02:18