Big Nick Picnic   Big Nick and The Cydecos   Independent - 2004 A Review By Paule Pachter, February 25, 2006

Tom “Big Nick” Nickel is a accordion player, vocalist and musician from the Midwestern city of Milwaukee whose been driven to the Cajun-Zydeco culture by such musical influences as Steve Riley, Dirk Powell and Paul Daigle. His grasp of the music resonates very clearly on his third CD entitled “Big Nick Picnic.” Nickel describes his sound as “Cydeco.” It’s a cross between Zydeco, Cajun and some Midwestern Polka. Whatever its origin is, the stuff works for me. The sound is lively, very jumpy and for those Cajun purists, easy to dance to. Big Nick and The Cydecos are a party band. They undoubtedly enjoy making music because this CD is extremely pleasing. The band blends some traditional Cajun fair from folks like Iry Lejune “Church Point Breakdown” and Bruce Daigrepont “Disco Et Fais Do Do, and then they have the confidence to deliver great renditions of R&B classics such as Ike Turner’s “Fool in Love” and Sam Cooke’s “Sweet Soul Music.” One of the reasons they make R&B work is because of the very capable talents of vocalist and rubboard player Kelli Brown, who sounds much like Marcia Ball but is able to do Otis Redding and Millie Small proud with her rendition of “Sweet Soul Music” and “My Boy Lollipop.” The other talented members of The Cydecos are: John Sieger (guitar, vocals), Mike Sieger (bass, vocals) and Cy Constabile (drums). Big Nick and The Cydecos “Big Nick Picnic” earns a four-pepper rating. For those of you that believe that great Zydeco only emanates from Louisiana or Texas, you need to stretch a little here and listen to what Wisconsin has to offer. You can purchase this CD online from Big nick and The Cydecos’ official website at: www.bignick.net or at Amazon.com. We greatly appreciate your support and encouragement of The Zydeco Road. Working together, we can enhance the recognition that Zydeco music and its artists so greatly deserve on Long Island and within the Metro New York area. [ Artist of the Month ] [Sounds of The Road ] [This Ain't No Rest Stop ] [ The Road Stops Here ] [Road Shows ] [Home ] [Email ] Also visit copyright 2006 Paule Pachter/Richard Arfin. All rights reserved.