Hang It High, Hang It Low   Nathan and The Zydeco Cha-Chas   Rounder Records- 2006 A Review By Paule Pachter, March 19 , 2006

With almost two decades of recording and performing to their credit Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas have remained one of the most consistent forces in Zydeco music today. Their touring schedule continues to take them all over the world playing festivals, concert halls and the local club scene where their devoted legions of fans pack the house. I know this first hand because I’ve been a fan and a friend of Nathan Williams for the past seven years and have seen him and The Zydeco Cha Chas perform a dozen times. So when Nathan told me months ago that he was in the studio recording a long awaited follow up to his last CD, “Let’s Go” (2000) I was put in the mode of anxiously awaiting some new music from one of the best Zydeco acts in the world. First let me say that six years is way too long to wait for a new CD from Nathan and the Zydeco Chas. But “Hang It High, Hang It Low” is worth the wait. Like all of their CDs, this one’s produced by Scott Billington with Nathan’s proven formula. You can expect a love song to his wife Nancy and you get one with “So Glad You’re Mine.” You can always count on some track with an animal in its title. This one features “Don’t Worry ‘Bout The Mule.” There’s always a new shout being coined in a song such as the word “Yo” in “Old Man’s Darling.” In the past it’s been “somebody scream” or “take your shoes off.” He always includes a few Zydeco Blues tunes and this one features “Your Love Lasts As Long As Your Money” and “The Bluest Man.” And there’s always the autobiographical song such as “Time To Do My Thing” and “I Was Born At Night (But Not Last Night)” that let’s you know just how rooted Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas are in their Louisiana culture and music. I was very impressed with the title track as well, which in my opinion has Nathan reaching into some Beau Jocque influence to develop the unique push-pull rhythm. He also pulls some musical influences from one of his mentors, Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural, Jr. on the track “Think About The Good Times.” Perhaps the most impressive aspect of “Hang It High, Hang It Low” is the musicianship displayed. Nathan Williams is at the top of his game with the piano accordion. At times you forget that he’s playing the accordion and not the organ. His fingers are racing through some pretty complicated riffs and each of them comes out sensationally. I always knew that Dennis Paul Williams was a good guitarist. But on this CD, he’s a great one. His talent as an accomplished artist is also allowed to shine on the CD’s cover and inside illustration. The other members of The Zydeco Cha Chas include Mark Williams (rubboard), Robert LeBlanc (bass) and Herman Brown (drums). There’s also keyboard support from Nathan Williams, Jr. "Hang It High, Hang It Low” earns our highest five-pepper rating and can be purchased online directly from the record label at www.rounder.com (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.