| Too Much Fun | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | C. J. Chenier |
| Cover: | Too Much Fun (album).jpg |
| Released: | 1995 |
| Studio: | Ardent |
| Genre: | Zydeco |
| Label: | Alligator |
| Producer: | C. J. Chenier, Bruce Iglauer |
| Prev Title: | I Ain't No Playboy |
| Prev Year: | 1992 |
| Next Title: | The Big Squeeze |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
Too Much Fun is an album by the American musician C. J. Chenier, released in 1995.[1] [2] He is credited with his backing band, the Red Hot Louisiana Band.[3] It was his first album for Alligator Records.[4] Chenier supported it with a North American tour.[5] The first single was "Man Smart, Woman Smarter".
The album was produced by Chenier and Bruce Iglauer.[6] It was recorded over a week, the longest amount of time that Chenier had spent working on an album; his main concern was ensuring that all the songs sounded different, rather than employing the same zydeco tempo.[7] Chenier played alto saxophone as well as accordion.[8] The Memphis Horns and Vasti Jackson contributed to the album.[9] [10] "Zydeco Cha Cha", "Louisiana Two Step", and "You Used to Call Me" were written by Chenier's father, Clifton.[11] "Down Home Blues" is a cover of the song made famous by Z. Z. Hill.[10]
The Washington Post wrote that the album is "an arousing example of how zydeco's polyrhythms can benefit from the ballad conventions and horn charts of Memphis soul."[10] The Telegram & Gazette said that "Chenier's singing is as impressive as the band's playing, with his voice carrying the rich resonance of a pure bluesman."[12] The Chicago Tribune concluded that "much of the music comes off as zydeco-peppered blues rather than freshly- seasoned zydeco."[13]
The Record determined that "Chenier's flamboyant accordion-playing is complemented by his smooth, soulful baritone voice and a superb backing band."[14] The Journal & Courier opined that the "reigning crown prince of zydeco delivers the instant party record of the season."[15] The Associated Press stated that Too Much Fun "works better than most studio zydeco albums."
AllMusic noted that "it would be unthinkable in the zydeco tradition to have too much fun without dancing being on the agenda, so dance tunes rule the record."