The New Iberians 

(Willamette Week, Portland OR 10/07/2009)

[ZYDECO BLUES] The New Iberians have planted Louisiana roots in the heart of Portland's fertile musical soil. Since 1998, this local sextet has pumped out fine-tuned, polished Zydeco (which evolved from Louisiana Creole music and is a blend of jazz, blues and polka). The New Iberians' newest album, Bon Temps Rouge, weaves Zydeco's traditional guitars, accordions, a ripping horn section and a metal washboard into a catchy fabric of Southern audio flavor. So come shuffle, waltz, two-step or just plain ol' shake a leg however you damn well please. 9 pm. LaurelThirst Public House, 2958 NE Glisan St., 232-1504. Free. Map 

"Bon Temps Rouge "

(Blues Notes, Cascade Blues Assn.,   Portland OR 06/05/2009

PsycheDelta Records

            There are so many different styles of music that are hard for me to take in great quantities, which is why I love the blues so much. There are so many factions within the genre that I can travel world-wide with its variety of flavors and always find something appealing. Zydeco is just another idiom of the family of the blues. To me it brings thoughts of Louisiana like the JazzFest, Spanish moss, magnolia trees, the smell of chicory coffee or a table piled with fresh boiled crawfish.Bon Temps Rouge
            The New Iberians latest CD, Bon Temps Rouge spurs those type of memories, too. It’s butt-shaking music. This one should make you get up and dance. And you know you’re in for a fun ride with the opening track, a nice bouncy take on Fats Domino’s “My Girl Josephine;” you just can’t get any more authentic New Orleans R&B than that. And the disc continues with not only fine covers of classics by the likes of Clifton Chenier and Leadbelly, but showcases some exceptional songwriting from Iberians’ bandleader Evan Shlaes, with a special nod to his beautiful original “The Belmont Waltz,” complete with musical saw played by guest Rick “Ed” Marcus. The title track tells the story of a young lady you may find appealing when first met, but will leave you bemoaning your encounter afterward. And the energetic versions of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” and Bobby Freeman’s “Voulez-Vous Dander?” may just bring to mind the light-heartedness of David Lindley.

            The New Iberians definitely have strong musicians within their core, besides vocalist/keyboards/accordionist Shlaes, they are rounded out with washboard man Paul Bassette, drummer Fred Ingram, guitarist Clark Salisbury, saxophonist Francisco Marmolejo and Oregon Music Hall of Fame bassist J. Michael Kearsey. Recorded at Falcon Studios, behind the always fine engineering of Dennis Carter and co-produced by Terry Robb (who also offers guitar on a couple tracks), this is fun just waiting to happen when you give it your first listen.

Tracks:

My Girl Josephine / Goin’ To The Levee / Bon Temps Rouge / Black Snake Blues / Terry Anne / Rock Island Line / Voulez-Vous Dancer? / The Belmont Waltz / Voodoo Juice / Hot Dog Stand / I Can See Clearly Now

Total Time: 42:15