Wilson Anthony Chavis
b. October 23rd, 1930 in Lake Charles (Louisiana)
d. May 5th, 2001 in Austin (Texas)
THE LAKE CHARLES ATOMIC BOMB
Rounder
1954 / Early 1960's / May 1964
ZYDECO BIRTH
Folk Star
LOUISIANA SWAMP BLUES
JSP
1954
Fils d'Arthur et Marceline Chavis, on lui donne le surnom de "Boozoo" dès l'enfance. Il joue d'abord du washboard et de l'harmonica avant de se focaliser sur l'accordéon diatonique. En 1952, il épouse Leona Predium (ils auront six enfants). C'est l'accordéoniste Sidney Brown qui le présente au producteur Eddie Shuler. Boozoo démarre sa carrière en 1954 en enregistrant ses premiers morceaux pour Folk-Star (un label appartenant à Goldband), sous la supervision de Shuler, avec les musiciens de Classie Ballou. Sa composition "Paper in my shoe" devint le premier hit du zydeco et reste encore aujourd'hui fréquemment repris. Durant ces séances, il grava également une poignée de morceaux irrésistibles : "Forty one days", "Bye bye catin", "Gonna boogie", "Oh babe". Mais se sentant floué par sa maison de disque, Boozoo perdit confiance et s'éloigna progressivement du monde musical, enregistrant, toutefois, de temps à autre, pendant les années 60, de magnifiques titres pour Goldband : "Hamburgers and popcorn", "Pallet on the floor", "Oh ho she's gone", "Oh yae yae", "Lost the paper in my shoe". Après 1964, il n'enregistre plus et se consacre à l'élevage de chevaux.
The son of Arthur and Marceline Chavis, he was nicknamed "Boozoo" from childhood. He initially played the washboard and harmonica before focusing on the diatonic accordion. In 1952, he married Leona Predium (they had six children). It was the accordionist Sidney Brown who introduced him to the producer Eddie Shuler. Boozoo began his career in 1954 by recording his first tracks for Folk-Star (a label owned by Goldband) under the Shuler's supervision, with Classie Ballou's musicians. His composition "Paper in my shoe" became the first zydeco hit and is still frequently covered today. During these sessions, he also recorded a handful of irresistible tracks : "Forty one days", "Bye bye catin", "Gonna boogie", "Oh babe". But feeling cheated by his record label, Boozoo lost trust and gradually withdrew from the music business, though he did record some magnificent tracks, from time to time, during the 1960's for Goldband : "Hamburgers and popcorn", "Pallet on the floor", "Oh ho she's gone", "Oh yae yae", "Lost the paper in my shoe". After 1964, he stopped recording and devoted himself to horse breeding.
BLUESIN' BY THE BAYOU : I'M NOT JIVING
Ace
Early 1960's
Dans cette anthologie, on peut trouver une prise alternative de "Oh ho she's gone".
This anthology includes an alternative take of "Oh ho she's gone".
IF IT AIN'T A HIT, I'LL EAT MY BABY
Zu-Zazz
Early 1980's
LOUISIANA ZYDECO MUSIC
Maison de Soul
PAPER IN MY SHOE
Ace
1985
Ayant délaissé le monde musical depuis longtemps, s'occupant de ses chevaux, Boozoo revient finalement au Zydeco sur les conseils de sa famille (notamment de sa femme Leona). Il forme son propre groupe avec des membres de sa famille et enregistre ce remarquable album pour le label Maison de Soul, produit par J.J. Caillier. La tracklist est intense et irrésistible : une superbe nouvelle version de "Paper in my shoe", "Blues all around my bed", "Leona has a party", "Dog Hill", "Worried life blues" et une reprise dansante de "My toot toot".
Having long since left the music business to care for his horses, Boozoo finally returned to Zydeco on the advice of his family (especially his wife, Leona). He formed his own band with family members and recorded this remarkable album for the Maison de Soul label, produced by J.J. Caillier. The tracklist is intense and irresistible : a superb new version of "Paper in my shoe", "Blues all around my bed", "Leona has a party", "Dog Hill", "Worried life blues" and a danceable cover of "My toot toot".
BOOZOO ZYDECO
Maison de Soul
1987
ZYDECO LIVE
Rounder
Zensor
March 1988
Une poignée de morceaux live capturés dans un club louisianais avec une chaude ambiance. On trouve une trépidante version de "Dog hill", le beau blues "I'm driftin'" et le dansant "Deacon John".
A handful of live tracks captured in a Louisiana club with a warm atmosphere. They include a rousing version of "Dog hill", the beautiful bluesy "I'm driftin'" and the danceable "Deacon John".
STOMP DOWN ZYDECO
Rounder
March 1988
ALY BAIN MEETS THE CAJUNS
Lismor Folk
1988
Deux excellents titres enregistrés pour l'émission radiophonique anglaise "Cajun country" diffusé sur Channel 4 : l'irrésistible "Sassy one-step" et une reprise de "Paper in my shoe".
Two excellent titles recorded for the english radio program "Cajun country" broadcasted on Channel 4 : the irresistible "Sassy one-step" and a cover of "Paper in my shoe".
ZYDECO HOMEBREW
Maison de Soul
1989
Boozoo poursuit sa nouvelle carrière avec ce troisième album pour Maison de Soul (produit par Floyd Soileau). Il y est toujours en excellente forme au chant et à l'accordéon bien soutenu par son groupe régulier (et ses fils Anthony et Rellis). Parmi les meilleurs moments de ce superbe disque de Zydeco, on peut relever "Johnnie Billie Goat", "Make it to me", "Pray for me", "Zydeco hee haw", "Jolie catan".
Boozoo continues his new career with this third album for Maison de Soul (produced by Floyd Soileau). He's still in excellent form on vocals and accordion, well supported by his regular band (and his sons Anthony and Rellis). Among the highlights of this superb Zydeco album, we can point out "Johnnie Billie Goat", "Make it to me", "Pray for me", "Zydeco hee haw", "Jolie catan".
FESTIVAL STAGE 1989 : FESTIVALS ACADIENS ET CREOLES
Valcourt
September 1989
Edité en 2013, ce disque capture un concert de Boozoo Chavis, donné lors d'un festival à Lafayette. Une belle et intense performance avec des moments puissants comme "Jolie catin", "Johnnie Billie Goat", "Dog hill", "Eunice two-step", "Driftin' blues", "Motordude special".
Released in 2013, this album captures a Boozoo Chavis concert from a festival in Lafayette. A beautiful and intense performance with powerful moments like "Jolie catin", "Johnnie Billie Goat", "Dog hill", "Eunice two-step", "Driftin' blues", "Motordude special".
ZYDECO TRAIL RIDE
Maison de Soul
1990
Comme le montre la pochette de couverture, Boozoo avait deux passions dans la vie : la musique et les chevaux. Il s'agit de son dernier album pour le label Maison de Soul de Floyd Soileau. Comme toujours, Boozoo propose une poignée de morceaux irrésistibles : "I want to play with your poodle", "Your mama & papa", "Madeleine", "Zydeco mardi gras", "Black gal" sans oublier une sympathique reprise de "Harlem shuffle" chantée par Classie Ballou Jr. La version CD ajoute un titre inédit ("Went to New Orleans") et des morceaux provenant des précédents albums.
As the cover sleeve shows, Boozoo had two passions in life : music and horses. This is his last album for Floyd Soileau's Maison de Soul label. As always, Boozoo offers a handful of irresistible tracks : "I want to play with your poodle", "Your mama & papa", "Madeleine", "Zydeco mardi gras", "Black gal" and a nice cover of "Harlem shuffle" sung by Classie Ballou Jr. The CD version adds a previously unreleased track ("Went to New Orleans") and songs from his earlier albums.
BOOZOO CHAVIS
Elektra - Nonesuch
Wounded Bird
August 1990
Après plusieurs années passées chez Maison de Soul, Boozoo Chavis enregistre ce disque pour Elektra et le producteur Terry Adams (intégré dans la collection American Explorer). Un programme sympathique et intéressant dans lequel Boozoo chante avec sa femme Leona ("I'm ready me") ou son fils Poncho ("Forty one days"). On apprécie aussi "Keep your dress tail down", "Goin' to La Maison", "Zydeco hee haw".
After several years with Maison de Soul, Boozoo Chavis recorded this album for Elektra and producer Terry Adams (included in the American Explorer collection). It's a pleasant and interesting program in which Boozoo sings with his wife Leona ("I'm ready me") and his son Poncho ("Forty one days"). Other highlights include "Keep your dress tail down", "Goin' to La Maison", "Zydeco hee haw".
BLUES ROUTES
Smithsonian - Folkways
April 1992
On trouve ici une belle version live de "Uncle Bud".
We can find here a nice live version of "Uncle Bud".
FOLK MASTERS
Smithsonian - Folkways
April 1992
Une sympathique version de "Jolie catin" capturée lors du même concert.
A nice version of "Jolie catin" captured during the same concert.
BOOZOO THAT'S WHO
Rounder
May 1993
Toujours associé au producteur Terry Adams, Boozoo s'installe chez Rounder. Avec son groupe régulier, il délivre une solide tracklist, quoiqu'un peu répétitive, avec des morceaux accrocheurs comme "Lula Lula don't you go to bingo", "I'm going to the country to get me a mojo hand", "Grand Mary's two-step", "Oh black gal".
Still working with producer Terry Adams, Boozoo signed with Rounder. With his regular band, he delivered a solid, albeit somewhat repetitive, tracklist with catchy tracks like "Lula Lula don't you go to bingo", "I'm going to the country to get me a mojo hand", "Grand Mary's two-step", "Oh black gal".
LIVE AT THE HABIBI TEMPLE
Rounder
September 1993
Comme le titre l'indique, ce concert a été capté au Habibi Temple de Lake Charles. Boozoo Chavis et son groupe délivre une chaude performance, jouant son répertoire habituel avec fougue et dynamisme. Derrière lui, ses musiciens énergiques et inspirés le supportent au mieux. On signalera un superbe final blues qui mérite l'écoute.
As the title suggests, this concert was recorded at the Habibi Temple in Lake Charles. Boozoo Chavis and his band deliver a rousing performance, playing their usual repertoire with passion and flame. Behind him, his energetic and inspired musicians provide excellent support. A superb blues finale is particularly noteworthy and well worth a listen.
HEY DO RIGHT
Discovery / Antone's
1996
Même si son Zydeco teinté de Blues peut paraitre parfois un peu répétitif, Boozoo n'a pas son pareil pour enregistrer une musique dansante et entrainante avec ses musiciens et le producteur Terry Adams. Pour cette fois, l'album est édité conjointement par Discovery et Antone's. On apprécie notamment "I got a camel", "Mother's blues", "Jump the boogie" (dans lequel il joue de l'harmonica), "Hey do right" (un hommage à sa fille Margaret).
Even if his blues-tinged Zydeco can sometimes seem a little repetitive, Boozoo has no equal when it comes to recording danceable and catchy music with his band and producer Terry Adams. This time, the album is jointly released by Discovery and Antone's. Highlights include "I got a camel", "Mother's blues", "Jump the boogie" (on which he plays harmonica), "Hey do right" (a tribute to his daughter Margaret).
WHO STOLE MY MONKEY
Rounder
September 1998
Placé cette fois sous la supervision du producteur Scott Billington, Boozoo continue de jouer son Zydeco dansant et excitant avec ses musiciens habituels. "Dance all night", "Marksville slide" (chanté par son fils Charles), "Lucille", "Baby please don't go" (seul à l'accordéon), "Valse de derniere fois".
This time under the supervision of producer Scott Billington, Boozoo continues to play his danceable and exciting Zydeco with his usual musicians. "Dance all night", "Marksville slide" (sung by his son Charles), "Lucille", "Baby please don't go" (alone on accordion), "Valse de dernière fois".
DOWN HOME ON DOG HILL
Rounder
April - May 2001
Gravé quelques jours avant sa mort d'une crise cardiaque, ce dernier album demeure tout à fait original. Le producteur Scott Billington a ajouté le violoniste David Greely et le guitariste Sonny Landreth au son habituel de Boozoo Chavis. Cela donne une tracklist variée et inspirée avec de superbes morceaux comme "Keep your dress tail down", "Sugar bee", "Tite fille", "Crying blues", "La poule pend p'us", "Broke and hungry", "Henry Martin two-step". Sa femme Leona disparait en 2009.
Recorded just days before his death from a heart attack, this final album remains entirely original. Producer Scott Billington added fiddler David Greely and guitarist Sonny Landreth to Boozoo Chavis's signature sound. The result is a varied and inspired tracklist with superb songs like "Keep your dress tail down", "Sugar bee", "Tite fille", "Crying blues", "La poule pend p'us", "Broke and hungry", "Henry Martin two-step". His wife, Leona, passed away in 2009.