Smithsonian Folkways Announces ‘Clifton Chenier: King of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco,’ First-Ever Box Set Devoted to the Legendary Zydeco Originator

In celebration of Clifton Chenier's centenary year, Smithsonian Folkwayswill release Clifton Chenier: King of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco this November on Arhoolie Records. It will be the first ever box set devoted to the iconic musician who blended African American blues, R&B, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and Louisiana Cajun and Creole music into the genre now recognized as zydeco.

A visionary artist and legendary performer renowned as the "King of Zydeco," Chenier (June 25, 1925 - December 12, 1987) created an energetic and enduring regional Black sound that travelled from the back roads of rural Louisiana to the world stage.

To celebrate the announcement, Smithsonian Folkways has shared a previously unreleased recording of the song "Mr. Charlie," written by Chenier's cousin and Arhoolie labelmate Lightnin' Hopkins, recorded in 1971 and broadcast on KSAN in San Francisco. Listen HERE .

This historic box set release is also a milestone for the independent roots music label Arhoolie Records: it is the first new title on the imprint since Smithsonian Folkways acquired the label and its groundbreaking catalog of roots music in 2016. The collection will be available as a 4-CD or 6-LP vinyl box set, featuring 67 tracks-including 19 unreleased performances-and a 160-page book with rare photographs and other graphic artifacts as well as extensive liner notes with in-depth track notes and reflections on Chenier's groundbreaking career. The set is produced by Adam Machado, the Grammy-winning Executive Director of the Arhoolie Foundation, who contributes an in-depth biography of Clifton's life and career, and features an expansive essay by American Routes host Nick Spitzer, an examination on Cenier's long-term impact on his community by journalist Herman Fuselier, and a personal remembrance by Clifton Chenier's son, the musician CJ Chenier.

The collection features recordings from 1954 - 1983, including audio from Arhoolie and other labels and classic tracks such as "Bon Ton Roulet," "Zydeco et Pas Sale," "Jole Blonde," and "Black Gal," alongside previously unissued tracks such as the R&B hit "Shake Rattle & Roll," "Mr. Charlie," Cajun classic "Calinda," and Wilson Pickett's "That's My Number / 634-5789." The set spotlights Chenier's earliest known (and previously unreleased) live recordings, a live performance from the 1977 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and recordings from the Austin City Limits television series, which featured Chenier on their third-ever episode alongside Townes Van Zandt in 1976. As a career-long body of work, this breadth of recordings represents more than just Chenier's mammoth achievements on accordion, rubboard, and voice. They also celebrate early, foundational zydeco artist collaborations, including with Clifton's brother Cleveland, son CJ, and boogie-woogie pianist Katie Webster, and trace the expansion of zydeco from South Louisiana to Houston and Austin, Texas, to Southern California-a musical "great migration" that was symbolic of the mid-century music industry's expansion at large.

On June 27, Smithsonian Folkways, Arhoolie Records, and Valcour Records will also release a limited edition vinyl 7" featuring a new recording of Chenier's signature tune "Zydeco Sont Pas Salés" by The Rolling Stones, produced by acclaimed musician and songwriter CC Adcock. Mick Jagger, who has been a lifelong fan of Chenier since seeing him perform live in 1965, sings entirely in French, Keith Richards provides his signature rhythm guitar, while Ronnie Wood contributes lead guitar parts, combining their talents to bring a rock and roll edge to the zydeco classic. The recording also includes Cajun accordionist Steve Riley and longtime Chenier drummer Robert St. Julien, grounding the song in its Louisiana roots. On the single's flip side is Chenier's version from his 1965 sessions with Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz, which offers a contrasting take on the rollicking shuffle heard on his debut album. The Rolling Stones' track also appears on the upcoming Valcour compilation A Tribute to the King of Zydeco.