Joseph Roy Carrier
b. February 11th, 1947 in Lawtell (Louisiana)
d. May 3rd, 2010 in Opelousas (Louisiana)
ZYDECO BLUES 'N BOOGIE
Gumbo
1987 / 1993
Neveu du violoniste Joseph "Bebe" Carrier, il nait dans une famille rurale de métayers au milieu de huit frères et soeurs. Son père Warren joue de l'accordéon dans des fêtes locales. Dès ses six ans, le jeune Roy accompagne son père et monte parfois sur scène avec lui, jouant du frottoir puis, plus tard, de la batterie ou de la guitare. Mais, ce qui intéresse par-dessus tout Roy, c'est de jouer de l'accordéon. En 1961, il forme son premier groupe The Night Rockers avec son frère, son oncle et l'accordéoniste Chris Johnson. Ce dernier influencera énormément le jeune Roy. Malgré la perte d'un doigt (index droit) dans un accident, il réussit à mettre au point un style de jeu très personnel à l'accordéon, influencé par Clifton Chenier. A 25 ans, Roy abandonne les métiers de la ferme et trouve un travail de technicien sur une plate-forme pétrolière (qu'il gardera pendant 16 ans). En 1980-81, il achète un club dans sa ville natale de Lawtell, The Offshore Lounge. Celui-ci accueillera les plus grands noms du Zydeco comme Beau Jocque, John Delafose, Keith Frank, Geno Delafose. Dès la fin des années 80, Roy grave ses premiers morceaux pour le label Lanor de Lee Lavergne. Dans ce recueil, on trouve son premier morceau pour Lanor, l'excellent "I found my woman", dans lequel il est accompagné de Robby "Mann" Robinson et Troy Carrier.
Nephew of violinist Joseph "Bebe" Carrier, he was born in a rural family of sharecroppers in the middle of eight siblings. His father Warren plays the accordion in local festivals. From his six years, the young Roy sometimes accompanied his father and went on stage with him, playing rubboard and later, drums or guitar. But, the thing that interested above all Roy is to play the accordion. In 1961, he formed his first band The Night Rockers with his brother, his uncle and accordionist Chris Johnson. Johnson will greatly influence the young Roy. Despite the loss of a finger (right index finger) in an accident, he managed to develop a very personal accordion playing style, influenced by Clifton Chenier. At 25, Roy leaves the farm and becomes a technician working on an oil platform (he will keep it for 16 years). In 1980-81, he bought a club in his hometown of Lawtell, The Offshore Lounge. It will host the biggest names in Zydeco as Beau Jocque, John Delafose, Keith Frank, Geno Delafose. By the late 80's, Roy cut his first tracks for the Lanor label of Lee Lavergne. In this collection we find his first side for Lanor, the excellent "I found my woman", in which he is accompanied by Robby "Mann" Robinson and Troy Carrier.
ROCKING WITH ROY
Lanor (only on cassette)
ZYDECO SOUL
Mardi Gras
THE SOULFUL SIDE OF ZYDECO
Lanor
Zane
1990
Entre 1987 et 1992, quatre cassettes verront le jour rassemblant ses faces pour Lanor. Entretemps, en 1989, il quitte son travail sur plate-forme pétrolière et se consacre à plein temps à la musique partant en tournée au-delà de la Louisiane. Il développe alors son propre style : un Zydeco très marqué par le Blues particulièrement efficace dans les tempos rapides. Son oeuvre chez Lanor - très consistante - mérite une écoute attentive : "Offshore blues", "My baby want to do it", "Everybody's picking on me", les instrumentaux endiablés "Let the meatball roll" et "Zydeco Lawtell". Cette cassette est aujourd'hui introuvable. Heureusement, différents producteurs acquerront les droits de ces faces et les proposeront dans divers CDs plus faciles à trouver. Peter Thompson publiera "The soulful side of Zydeco" et Warren Hildebrand assemblera "Zydeco soul".
Between 1987 and 1992, four cassettes will be published gathering all his sides for Lanor. Meanwhile, in 1989, he left his work on oil platform and devotes himself full time to music going on tour beyond Louisiana. He developed his own style : a greatly Blues-influenced Zydeco particularly effective in fast tempos. His work for Lanor - very consistent - deserves careful listening : "Offshore blues", "My baby want to do it", "Everybody's picking on me", the wild instrumentals "Let the meatball roll" and "Zydeco Lawtell". This cassette remain very rare today. Fortunately, various producers will acquire the rights of these sides and will propose them in various CDs easier to find. Peter Thompson published "The soulful side of Zydeco" and Warren Hildebrand issued "Zydeco soul".
ROY'S BACK IN TOWN
Lanor (only on cassette)
1992
Tempos rapides, section rythmique solide, accordéon virevoltant et washboard métronomique : le Zydeco de Roy Carrier reste diablement excitant. Les titres réellement accrocheurs s'enchainent pour le plus grand plaisir de l'auditeur : "Roy's in town", "Tell me what's wrong", "Let's go down", "Backbone Zydeco", "Stop that woman" parmi d'autres.
Fast tempos, solid rhythm section, twirling accordion and metronomic washboard : Roy Carrier's Zydeco remains devilishly exciting. Really catchy titles follow one another for the delight of the listener : "Roy's in town", "Tell me what's wrong", "Let's go down", "Backbone Zydeco", "Stop that woman" among others.
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YOU BETTER WATCH OUT
Lanor (only on cassette)
ZYDECO STROKIN'
Paula
1992
Pour sa troisième cassette chez Lanor, Roy Carrier est supporté par son groupe régulier : Raymond Randle (guitare), Kevin Carrier (basse), Troy Carrier (batterie) et Kevin Broussard (washboard). Privilégiant encore les tempos rapides, il livre plusieurs morceaux remarquables comme "Leaving Lawtell", "Maria", "New York City", "You better watch out", "I wanna do my thing" et "My baby wants to leave me" (une relecture de "Sweet sixteen"). Grâce au producteur Stan Lewis, le programme de cette rare cassette a été repris dans le CD "Zydeco strokin'" édité sur son label Paula.
For his third cassette for Lanor, Roy Carrier is backed by his regular band : Raymond Randle (guitar), Kevin Carrier (bass), Troy Carrier (drums) and Kevin Broussard (washboard). Still preferring fast tempos, he delivers several remarkable tracks such as "Leaving Lawtell", "Maria", "New York City", "You better watch out", "I wanna do my thing" and "My baby wants to leave me" (a re-reading of "Sweet sixteen"). Thanks to producer Stan Lewis, the program of this rare cassette was included in the CD "Zydeco strokin'" issued on his label Paula.
SHE'S NAKED
Lanor (only on cassette)
1993
Quatrième et dernière livraison pour le label Lanor, ce recueil recèle quelques titres notables comme "Black sheep", "Bird without his feathers", "Bad dreams", "Tee carriero", "She's naked" mais ne possède pas l'intensité des précédents opus. D'après la Zydeco discography, son groupe comprend Raymond Randle (guitare), Paul Newman (basse), Gerard St Julien (batterie) et Mike Chiasson (washboard).
The fourth and last installment for the Lanor label, this collection contains some notable titles such as "Black sheep", "Bird without his feathers", "Bad dreams", "Tee carriero", "She's naked" but does not have the intensity of the previous opus. According to the Zydeco discography, his band includes Raymond Randle (guitar), Paul Newman (bass), Gerard St Julien (drums) and Mike Chiasson (washboard).
NASTY GIRLS
Right on Rhythm
June - September 1996
Lors d'une tournée, Roy rencontre Wayne Kahn qui lui propose d'enregistrer pour son label Right on Rhythm. Malgré qu'il soit d'une qualité sonore passable, cet enregistrement public reste un excellent disque. Ces bandes furent capturées dans des clubs de Bethesda et de Baltimore. On sent immédiatement la ferveur, la puissance et l'ambiance surchauffée qui donnent l'envie irrépressible de danser. Derrière le leader Roy Carrier, on trouve l'excellent Raymond Randle (guitare), Ronald Carrier (basse), Troy Carrier (batterie), Kevin Carrier (frottoir), Kevin "Hot Dog" Broussard (frottoir). Plusieurs titres sont vraiment mémorables : "He's the man", "Mama told papa", "Watch that dog", "Nasty girls", "Born with the Blues".
During a tour, Roy met Wayne Kahn who offered him to record for his Right on Rhythm label. Despite a passable sound quality, this live recording is an excellent disc. These tapes were captured in Bethesda and Baltimore clubs. We immediately feel the fervor, power and heated atmosphere that give the urge to dance. Behind the leader Roy Carrier, there is the excellent Raymond Randle (guitar) and Ronald Carrier (bass), Troy Carrier (drums), Kevin Carrier (rubboard), Kevin "Hot Dog" Broussard (rubboard). Several titles are really memorable : "He's the man", "Mama told papa", "Watch that dog", "Nasty girls", "Born with the Blues".
OFFSHORE BLUES & ZYDECO
Chubby Dragon
Right on Rhythm
1997
Cet album parait d'abord sur le petit label Chubby Dragon (fondé par Ray Alden) avant d'être repris par Right on Rhythm. Un album souvent de haut niveau mais qui se répète un peu du fait de sa longueur. Composé de nombreuses reprises (notamment de Clifton Chenier) et de quelques compositions personnelles, on peut ressortir quelques moments intenses comme "You used to call me in the morning", "Chicago", "I'm the one you need", "Black snake is in my room", "You stole my love", "You don't have to go". Les musiciens sont les mêmes que dans "Nasty girls".
This album appears first on the small label Chubby Dragon (founded by Ray Alden) before being reissued by Right on Rhythm. Often a high-level album but repeat itself a little due to its length. Comprising a number of covers (including Clifton Chenier) and some personal compositions, we can highlight some intense moments as "You used to call me in the morning", "Chicago", "I'm the one you need", "Black snake is in my room", "You stole my love", "You don't have to go". The musicians are the same as in "Nasty girls".
TWIST AND SHOUT
Right on Rhythm
February 1998
Composé de titres en studio et de titres en public, "Twist and shout" est probablement son album le plus faible. Comme sur "Offshore blues & zydeco", le programme est un peu long et se répète parfois. Néanmoins, "I want to thank you", "The zydeco beat", "Josephine par se ma femme", "Been gone too long", "Ma tite fille", "What you gonna do with a man like that" valent assurément l'écoute. Le line-up a un peu changé : Pandy "Guitar Gable Jr" Perrodin (guitare), Tony Bush (basse), Calvin Sam (batterie) et Phillip Carrier (frottoir). L'année suivante, Roy trouvera l'opportunité de faire sa première tournée en Europe et figurera notamment au festival hollandais Cajun & Zydeco de Raamsdonksveer.
Consisting of both studio and live tunes, "Twist and shout" is probably his weakest album. Like on "Offshore blues & zydeco", the program is a bit too long and sometimes repeat itself. Nevertheless, "I want to thank you", "The zydeco beat", "Josephine is my wife", "Been gone too long", "My tite fille", "What you gonna do with a man like that" are certainly worth listening. The line-up has changed a bit : Pandy "Guitar Gable Jr" Perrodin (guitar), Tony Bush (bass), Calvin Sam (drums) and Phillip Carrier (frottoir). The following year, Roy found the opportunity to make his first tour in Europe, including an appearance at the Dutch festival Cajun & Zydeco of Raamsdonksveer.
WHISKY DRINKIN' MAN
Right on Rhythm
July 2001
L'oeuvre de Roy Carrier chez Right on Rhythm est resté constamment excellente. Avec "Whiskey drinkin' man", il atteint une sorte de perfection avec un feeling inoubliable. Il s'agit d'une combinaison de titres live et de titres en studio. Les pépites sont nombreuses : "Allons danser", "Bad luck", "Co-fet" (de John Delafose), My toot toot (de Rockin' Sidney), "Whiskey drinkin' man", "On my way back home". Un disque puissant et stimulant indispensable aux fans de Zydeco.
The work of Roy Carrier for Right on Rhythm was constantly excellent. With "Whiskey drinkin' man", he reaches a kind of perfection with an unforgettable feeling. It is a combination of both live and studio tracks. Lots of gems : "Allons danser", "Bad luck", "Co-fet" (by John Delafose), My toot toot (by Rockin' Sidney), "Whiskey drinkin' man", "On my way back home". A powerful and stimulating album essential for any Zydeco fans.
LIVE BUFFALO JAMBALAYA 2004
Baltimore Folk Music Society
June 2004
LIVING LEGEND
Severn
2004
Sous la supervision de Wayne Kahn et de David Earl, Roy travaille pour le label Severn. Avec ses musiciens réguliers (et la participation de Steve "Skeeter" Charlot), il propose encore une fois un album plein de verve et de puissance. Il faut écouter "I got something for you baby", "Everybody call me shoon", "I come from the country", "What you gonna do with a man like that". En France, Roy participe aux Nuits Cajun & Zydeco de Saulieu en aout 2004. Une de ses dernières apparitions en public sera lors du New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival en 2010. Il est décédé d'un arrêt cardiaque. Ses enfants perpétuent la tradition musicale familiale : Elaine, Joseph Roy Jr (alias Chubby Carrier), Troy (alias Dikki Du).
Under the supervision of Wayne Kahn and David Earl, Roy worked for the Severn label. With his regular musicians (and the participation of Steve "Skeeter" Charlot), he proposes once again an album full of verve and power. We must listen to "I got something for you baby", "Everybody call me shoon", "I come from the country", "What you gonna do with a man like that". In France, Roy features at Nuits Cajun & Zydeco in Saulieu in august 2004. One of his last public appearances will be at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2010. He died of cardiac arrest. His children continuing the family music tradition : Elaine, Joseph Roy Jr (aka Chubby Carrier), Troy (aka Dikki Du).