Across The Parish Line   Terrance Simien and The Zydeco Experience   AIM International Records - 2006 A Review By Paule Pachter, October 21, 2006

It’s been more than four years since Terrance Simien released a CD, and this is simply too long to wait. Simien is one of the few Zydeco artists that have traveled the world promoting Creole culture and music. With the release of “Across The Parish Line” he celebrates twenty-five years of recording, performing and touring, and reconnects with his musical heritage and is joined by artists that have influenced him and that he greatly respects such as Paul Simon, Marcia Ball, David Hidago, the late Rick Danko and Garth Hudson. The end result is that “Across The Parish Line” is a musical retrospective of Simien’s colorful career that has frequently transcended traditional Zydeco to include tours with mainstream artists like The Dave Matthews Band, to his being featured in classic films like “The Big Easy.” If ever there were a Zydeco Renaissance Man than my friend Terrance Simien would be it. Simien’s signature Creole sound is infused with a fair dose of reggae and calypso rhythms. His voice is emotionally soft and always controlled. His mastery of the accordion allows him to bellow out colorful ballads and love songs or to pump the instrument for all its worth in a high-energy Zydeco dance tune. Among the tracks that impress me the most are: “You Should Know Your Way By Now;” “Ta Pa Gonne Avec Ca;” “Mississippi;” “Dance Everyday;” “Closer To You;” and of course his emotional rendition of the Randy Newman classic, “Louisiana 1927.” The very talented members of The Zydeco Experience also featured include Danny Williams (vocals, accordion), Ralph Fontenot (frottoir), Jose Alvarez (vocals, bass), and Keith Sonnier (drums). “Across the Parrish Line” is a semi-biographical musical journey with one of Louisiana’s premier artists. Terrance Simien is an electrifying performer, a gifted songwriter, compassionate advocate for his culture and people, a man with a social conscience, and when you put these traits all together . . . a Zydeco Renaissance Man. “Across The Parrish Line” earns four peppers and can be purchased online directly from the rtist’s official website at: www.terrancesimien.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.