La Zona Rosa
Friday, June 14 Currently in the world of zydeco music, there’s a definite changing of the
guard taking place. Clifton Chenier, the famed “King of Zydeco,” has been dead
for nearly 10 years now. In more recent years, Rockin’ Dopsie and John Delafose
have also passed on, and other, older stars have become artistically irrelevant
(Boozoo Chavis being the exception).
But zydeco is still very vibrant in Southwest Louisiana, and youngsters like
Chris Ardoin and Keith Frank are chomping at the bit. One youngster in
particular would appear to have not only enthusiasm going for him, but genetics
as well: Geno Delafose, John Delafose’s son.
There must be tremendous pressure in trying to follow the legend of one’s
father. “No, not at all,” says Delafose, with no trace of cockiness. “I can
handle it on my own. I took good notes.”
He had plenty of time to do so. Despite being a mere 25 years old, he is a
17-year veteran of the crawfish circuit, first playing drums for John’s Eunice
Playboys, and then leading the band as French Rockin’ Boogie. A trait Geno
inherited from John is a love for undiluted zydeco. Just as John was somewhat
resistant to the strains of R&B that crept into “French music,” as
Louisianans call it, Geno isn’t jumping on the current hip-hop trend like Frank
or Beau Jocque.
“I’m not against hip-hop, but it just doesn’t fit my style. I just want to
preserve the French culture. I’m not a soul or a blues man. I feel more at home
doing Cajun and Creole styles — my grandmother couldn’t speak English; my
whole family spoke French.”
But Geno isn’t exactly phobic about new styles; his second Rounder album,
That’s What I’m Talkin’ About, covers ancient stuff from
Am�d� Ardoin and Iry LeJeune, but closes with Los Lobos’ “Let’s
Say Goodnight.”
“I listen to a lot of country; George Strait and Randy Travis are two of my
favorite performers… I might even play country later on.”— Lee
Nichols
This article appears in June 14 • 1996 and June 14 • 1996 (Cover).