Best Kept Secret (Chris Ardoin album) explained

Best Kept Secret
Type:studio
Artist:Chris Ardoin
Cover:Best Kept Secret (Chris Ardoin album).jpg
Released:2000
Studio:Ultrasonic
Genre:Zydeco
Label:Rounder
Producer:Scott Billington
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Best Kept Secret is an album by the American musician Chris Ardoin, released in 2000.[1] [2] He is credited with his band, Double Clutchin'.[3] Ardoin supported the album with a North American tour.[4]

Production

Recorded at Ultrasonic Studios, in New Orleans, the album was produced by Scott Billington.[5] [6] Sean Ardoin left the band prior to the recording sessions. Chris Ardoin played rhythm and lead guitar, accordion, rubboard, and bass. Ardoin wrote most of the album's songs.[7] "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a version of the song made famous by the Temptations. "If It Makes You Happy" is a cover of the Sheryl Crow song.[8] "I Don't Want Nobody Here but You" was written by John Delafose.

Critical reception

OffBeat wrote that, "track after track, the accordion whiz kid puts on the show, pumping out endless sequences of innovative and improvised riffs—flying up and down the scales while hammering out barrages of squealy high notes along the way."[9] The Orlando Sentinel determined that "Ardoin and rhythm guitarist Nat Fontenot lock their guitar parts as tightly as a couple of funk players who've been gigging together for decades." Billboard said that "Ardoin's accordion is propulsive and imaginative; he attacks the rhythm line like a jazz soloist, but he never loses the zydeco groove."[6]

The Boston Globe noted that "unexpected pop salutes (a bit of George Michaels here, Bobby McFerrin there) play into the rhythmic jams."[10] Bass Player praised Curley Chapman's "tight, punchy tone and unfailing groove."[11] Keyboard stated that the "hybrid mixture blends the traditional elements of Cajun, zydeco, and Creole with contemporary elements."[12] The Herald-Sun listed Best Kept Secret among the best albums of 2000.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chris Ardoin Biography by Jason Ankeny . AllMusic . 23 December 2023.
  2. News: In the Bins . The Columbus Dispatch . 18 July 2000 . 6B.
  3. News: Chris Ardoin . Daily World . 25 Nov 2007 . Opelousas.
  4. News: Catling . Roger . Ardoin Brings Zydeco's 'Best Kept Secret' to Town . Hartford Courant . 26 Apr 2001 . Calendar . 31.
  5. Book: Billington . Scott . Making Tracks: A Record Producer’s Southern Roots Music Journey . 2022 . University Press of Mississippi.
  6. Best Kept Secret . Billboard . Aug 5, 2000 . 112 . 32 . 26.
  7. Web site: Bowen . Bliss . Chris Smither, Chris Ardoin Lead New Releases . https://web.archive.org/web/20231223150400/https://www.mtv.com/news/11azp5/chris-smither-chris-ardoin-lead-new-releases . dead . December 23, 2023 . MTV News . 23 December 2023 . July 14, 2000.
  8. News: Don't overlook a few mid-week shows... . The Berkshire Eagle . 20 Apr 2001 . D4.
  9. Willging . Dan . Chris Ardoin and Double Clutchin’, Best Kept Secret . OffBeat . September 1, 2000 . Reviews.
  10. News: Simon . Clea . Chris Ardoin and Double Clutchin' Best Kept Secret . The Boston Globe . 24 Aug 2000 . Cal.8.
  11. Bradman . E E . Best Kept Secret . Bass Player . Nov 2000 . 11 . 11 . 86.
  12. Christ Ardoin: Best Kept Secret . Keyboard . Aug 2001 . 27 . 8 . 12.
  13. News: Van Vleck . Philip . 2000 cranks out awesome music worth a listen . The Herald-Sun . 29 Dec 2000 . D3.