Richard Thompson & Zachary Richard
This week on American Routes, we’ll talk to folk-rocker, songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson. An advocate for British lyric and music tradition in new settings with refashioned traditional songs and stories, Thompson evolved from playing in the seminal folk-rock band, Fairport Convention to his present day role as an in-demand guitarist and songwriter. Then we’ll visit with accordion-man Zachary Richard about growing up in French-speaking south Louisiana but needing to go to France and Quebec to realize the significance of the Cajun culture into which he was born. Richard’s recent “Le Fou” may be the first Americana record made largely in the French of his homeland: south Louisiana’s Cajun country.
HOUR ONE
Open Bed: Salford Sunday Richard Thompson Electric, Beeswing
Come All Ye Fairport Convention Liege and Lief, Island
Sur le Point de Lyon Beausoleil with Richard Thompson Bayou Deluxe, Rhino
On Top of Old Smokey Roscoe Holcomb The High and Lonesome Sound, Smithsonian Folkways
Forbidden Lovers Lefty Frizzell Look What Thoughts Will Do, Columbia
Instrumental: On Top of Old Smokey Grant Green Goin' West, Blue Note
Lovin' Up a Storm Jerry Lee Lewis Sun Classics, Charly
Sittin' On Top of the World Howlin' Wolf The London Sessions, MCA
Rock Island Line Lonnie Donegan The Singles Anthology 1955-1967, CMETD
SEGMENT: Richard Thompson
Instrumental: Sunset Song Richard Thompson Sweet Warrior, Beeswing
Wreck of the Carlos Rey Los Lobos The Ride, Hollywood
Handsome Molly Mick Jagger Wandering Spirit, Atlantic
Dimming of the Day Bonnie Raitt The Best of Bonnie Raitt on Capitol 1989-2003, Capitol
1952 Vincent Black Lightning The Del McCoury Band Del and the Boys, Ceili
End Bed: Take Care of the Road You Choose Richard Thompson Sweet Warrior, Beeswing
HOUR TWO
Open Bed: Laisse le vent souffler Zachary Richard Le Fou, Avalanche
Sweet Sweet Zachary Richard Le Fou, Avalanche
J'ai vu le loup le renard et la belette Balfa Brothers J'ai Vu Le Loup, Le Renard et La Belette, Rounder
Acadian Driftwood The Band Northern Lights - Southern Cross, Capitol
Balfa et Grand Bois Coteau Highly Seasoned Cajun Music, Rounder
No French No More Zachary Richard Women in the Room, A&M
Les Flammes d'Enfer Richard Thompson Evangeline Made: A Tribute to Cajun Music, Vanguard
Instrumental: Acadian Two-Step Coteau Highly Seasoned Cajun Music, Rounder
SEGMENT: Zachary Richard
Let the Four Winds Blow Fats Domino Out of New Orleans, Bear Family
Femme l'a Dit FeuFollet Cow Island Hop, Valcour
Instrumental: Frog Legs Clifton Chenier Bon Ton Roulet, Arhoolie
Rosa Majeur Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Band Zydeco, GNP Crescendo
Sweet Little Doll (Cher Catin) Clifton Chenier Bon Ton Roulet, Arhoolie
Bon Soir Moreau Canray Fontenot Louisiana Hot Sauce Creole Style, Arhoolie
I Got Loaded The Wood Brothers The Muse, Southern Ground