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 Rockin’ Janitor
Zydeco Experience Live
Label: ORF CD 357
Born in Vienna, Austria in 1972, accordionist Jan ‘Rockin’ Janitor’ Eckerl, the son of jazz and blues saxman Franz Eckerl, is steeped in the musical traditions of Louisiana, having discovered the music of Clifton Chenier at the age of 12 and gone on to play in America with the likes of Beau Jocque, Chubby Carrier, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Steve Riley, Johnnie Allan and perhaps most significantly, C J Chenier. This set, recorded and released by Radio Osterreich (Austria), shows that he learned his lessons well.
Unusually, this is a totally instrumental set, with support only from Philipp Bruna on frottoir (rub-board) and Erich Dirnwober on triangle; that is just fine, as Jan is a true virtuoso on his instrument, endlessly inventive and more than proficient in both the dirty, bass heavy sound of low-down bluesy zydeco (try ‘Do The Bass’) and the lighter, white Cajun inflections of, for example, ‘Junior Martin Two Step’, whilst he also exhibit a fondness for uptempo boogie which translates well to his chosen instrument. Nor is he afraid to look beyond the idiom, with ‘Zydeco Bounce’ neatly incorporating what seem to be elements of dub reggae, and ‘Blue Alice’ nigh on unclassifiable - but then Jan wraps things up with an effortlessly traditional ‘Jolie Blon’ - and of course I should also mention that nine of the dozen tracks are Eckerl originals.
To sum up then, an intriguing and exciting release that lovers of zydeco accordion should make a real effort to track down. Norman Darwen (BluesArtStudio-Journal)
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 ROCKIN' JANITOR: Zydeco Experience Live
ORF CD 357 (42:45)
Born in Vienna in 1972, accordionist Jan Eckerl became aware of the music of Clifton Chenier at the age of twelve and has gone on to work in the Pelican State with the likes of Beau Jocque, Chubby Carrier and C.J. Chenier, besides leading his own short-lived band there.
This very unusual CD was recorded and released by Radio Osterreich (Austria). There are twelve tracks, nine of them originals, all instrumental, with the highly accomplished Herr Eckerl backed only by frottoir and triangle; the Janitor does indeed rock, as well as getting low-down and bluesy, boogying away on a couple of numbers, being thoroughly traditional on 'Jolie Blon' or just enjoying an exuberant two-step. Intriguing is the word that comes to mind...Norman Darwen (Blues&Rhythm/UK)
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Artist: Rockin’ Janitor
Title: Zydeco Experience Live
Label: ORF CD 357
It is always very satisfying and marvelling, to hear the vast range of emotion filled sounds that can be coaxed out of an accordion, such as; blues, soul, Cajun, rock’n’roll, drinking songs and nautical hornpipes.
When the keyboard and buttons are effortlessly caressed, stroked, by the more than capable fingers of Jan ‘Rockin’ Janitor’ Eckert; (son of the accomplished Austrian Jazz and Blues saxophone player Franz Eckert.) You know that the instrument is in good hands. After hearing the music of Clifton Chenier in his teens he then went on to America to master the accordion. Going on to play with such established artists as; Johnnie Allen, Chubby Carrier, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, and nearly coming full circle by playing with C.J. Chenier.
This cd is a live recording from the Austrian radio station Radio Osterreich.
The musicians backing Jan are; Philipp Bruno; Frottior (rub-board} and Erich Dirnwober; triangle. This twelve number set is packed with wonderfully joyous head and foot-tapping instrumentals, nine of which are original compositions from Jan. Although one assumes that the audience is a small intimate gathering (as it is held in a radio station) the between number applause defies that simple impression for the eager appreciation shown by the audience conjures up images of party time in the town tonight; for Jan mixes traditional two-step with Cajun and dirty blues, also providing some tasty reggae influences. He rounds off the set with “Jolie Blon.”
An excellent uplifting piece of music in these sad and devastating times
Well worth seeking out, and thoroughly enjoyable!
Brian Harman (Blues In The South- BITS-Journal/UK).
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BITS
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A guide to all the blues music on the south coast of England. From Eastbourne to Exmouth and a bit more besides. Plus News, Reviews and Other Good Stuff about the Blues, Worldwide.
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