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Classic Clifton

Clifton Chenier
Album cover for Classic Clifton by Clifton Chenier. Features Clifton and Cleveland Chenier outdoors at a festival with their accordion and rubboard. Bold red text at the top reads “Clifton Chenier,” with “Classic Clifton” in green below. Decorative peppers frame the purple and blue border. Classic Clifton is the first compilation of Arhoolie Records-produced music that celebrates the legacy and music of Clifton Chenier, known to fans and admirers as the King of Zydeco. Released in 1980 after a particularly prolific decade of studio albums and touring, the set spans fifteen years of recordings, including many of the songs that were regional hits for the accordion player and staples of Chenier’s notoriously joyful and expansive live performances. Chenier’s boisterous personality and prodigious talent can be heard throughout, as well as how his pioneering take on Black French Creole music evolved as he traversed local dance halls throughout the Gulf Coast, international stages, and major blues festivals. The set features selections from Louisiana Blues and Zydeco, Bon Ton Roulet!, Bogalusa Boogie, and other albums that were already considered classics by the time the compilation was released.

Track Listing

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1
Clifton Chenier
03:13
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2
Clifton Chenier
04:57
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3
Clifton Chenier
03:42
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4
Clifton Chenier
02:38
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5
Clifton Chenier
03:42
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6
Clifton Chenier
03:14
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7
Clifton Chenier
03:40
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8
Clifton Chenier
04:26
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9
Clifton Chenier
03:20
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10
Clifton Chenier
03:01
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11
Clifton Chenier
04:18
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12
Clifton Chenier
04:39