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I've Been Country
Corey Arceneaux
Label: HPepper Records
Released: 2023
Views: 209
Tracks
Gumbo (feat. Erica Fox); Zydeco Sydo; Waltz with Me; I’ve Been Country Before It Was Cool (feat. Erica Fox); So Confused; Not from New Orleans (feat. Erica Fox); Hot Pepper; Where I Want to Be; Time Don’t Wait; Je Ne Sais Quoi; Creole Lullaby; Time After Time; On the Island; Malcolm Corey Arceneaux; Rockin’ Pneumonia
Personnel
Corey Arceneaux
multi-instrumentalistChris Watling
saxophone, baritoneGene Monroe
bass, electricDouglas Bell
guitar, electric
Tyler Arceneaux
multi-instrumentalistAdditional Personnel / Information
Corey Arceneaux – Lead Vocals, Accordion, Upright Acoustic Piano, Keyboard, Effects \ Ben Holmes – Drums \ Douglas Bell – Lead, Acoustic, and Rhythm Guitar \ Gene Monroe – Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Synth \ Pat Clark – Tambourine (tracks 6, 13, 14), Background Vocals (track 12), Scrubboard (tracks 3, 11) \ Tyler Arceneaux – Scrubboard (all tracks except where noted) \ Chris Watling – Tenor and Baritone Saxophones / Erica Fox – Featured Artist (tracks 1, 4, 6), Background Vocals/ Recording, Mixing, and Tracking – Gizmo Recording, Silver Spring, Maryland Engineer: Gantt Kushner / Mastering – Greg Lukens and Connor Barto \ Scrubboard and Featured Artist Vocal Tracking – Lockdown Studio, Lafayette, Louisiana - Engineer: Michael Lockett \ Executive Producer: Corey Arceneaux - ©2023 All songs written and composed by Corey Arceneaux BMI, except where noted
Album Description
Good luck finding many accordionists who can outplay Corey Arceneaux on the piano accordion. He makes it talk like a preacher, rejoice like a choir and cry like baby.
Corey grew up in Carencro, Louisiana, and started his first band in high school. Labeling him has always been a challenge because of his creative and versatile style. This project comes 30 years after his first release, “Hot Pepper.” “I’ve Been Country” brings in various dance styles while sticking to his strong Creole roots as a member of one of Zydeco’s first families, led by his late great uncle Fernest Arceneaux, who was also known as the “New Prince of Accordion” for his skilled playing. Corey’s great grandfather and Fernest’s father, Ferdinand Arceneaux, was also an accordionist who performed Creole “Lala” music (a predecessor of Zydeco) at house dances.
In early 2020, Corey moved to a D.C. suburb to be with his wife, whom he married in late 2019. The relocation evolved his ambassadorship of Zydeco and the Creole culture worldwide, which he’s done since the 1990s. Big changes over the last few years helped Corey’s songwriting soar – yielding original tracks. He connected with area musicians with experience in and a passion for Zydeco music. They jammed, and everything came together like a big pot of gumbo. The talented Zydeco Hot Peppers are Ben Holmes (drummer), Douglas Bell (guitar), Gene Monroe (bass) and Pat Clark (percussion & scrubboard).
The transition from live shows to the studio was smooth, and the group’s tightness comes through in the tunes. Ben held the pocket on every track, which he learned in his 20 years of performing with the Grammy award-winning Zydeco legend Queen Ida. Gene’s bass playing is impressive throughout, especially his phenomenal acoustic bass on “Creole Lullaby.” Doug added flavor to “Gumbo” with his acoustic box guitar and laid down amazing solos on the lead guitar throughout the project. Chris Watling, who has performed with greats such as The Spinners, Ben E. King, Dr. John and The Four Tops, added spice via his tenor and baritone saxophones. The studio’s grand piano kept calling Corey’s name, and he strummed the ivory keys on three tracks. Pat completed the rhythm section with percussion and supporting background vocals.
On one of Corey’s frequent Louisiana visits, he joined Michael Lockett at Lockdown Studio and collaborated and recorded with some of his favorite people. Tyler Arceneaux, Corey’s youngest son, laid down rhythmic plays on the scrubboard and his cousin, Erica Fox, sang her heart out on “Gumbo” and “Not from New Orleans.” Erica has worked with Toni Braxton, Master P and Shai. Corey accompanied her on her 2018 “Creole Woman” single. Longtime friend and former scrubboard player Jerome Senegal provided additional guidance and support as always.
Album uploaded by Corey Arceneaux
