Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band
Oberlin, LA | Established. Jan 01, 1990 | INDIE
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A little five-year-old voice jumps out at the beginning of cut number five of Keith Frank’s new CD, Going To See Keith Frank, on Soulwood Records. The tiny voice belongs to Zion, the bright-eyed, curly haired son of Jennifer Frank, Keith’s sister and bass player in the Soileau Zydeco Band.
Fans at fairs and festivals have seen Zion dance and ham it up on stage with the band. The song on Frank’s new CD, “Julie and Zion,” is named after him and fellow dancer, eight-year-old Julie Caesar, Jennifer’s godchild.
Zion’s energy on record and stage gives no indication of the troubles he’s seen. Zion was diagnosed at six months with Hyper IgM Syndrome, a rare blood disease that weakens his immune system. He was diagnosed at six months during a battle with pneumonia and other infections.
A special IV he receives every two weeks at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans boosts his immunity, but a serious illness could end his life at any time. His best hope is a stem cell transplant. The band has been selling calendars at its dances to raise money for Zion’s medical costs. For more information, see the Zion’s Fund page at www.keithfrank.com.
Zion’s CD debut is just one of the highlights of Frank’s new disc, which is already my candidate for zydeco CD of the year. I know seven months remain in 2005, but we’ll be hard pressed to find a zydeco CD with more variety and one that is more entertaining from start to finish.
I’ve been constantly humming to “Keep on Trucking,” a dance number that is really a sad song about the troubles and eventual triumph after a nasty break-up. Imagine that, a zydeco song with real lyrics that actually tell a story and you can still dance to it. Though rare, such tunes do exist and Frank’s new CD is full of them.
I get most of the new zydeco CDs that come out. There are some exceptions, but most are filled with one-liners disguised as lyrics, repetitive notes, yells and screams and covers of Boozoo Chavis and Clifton Chenier classics.
Song 1 sounds like song 5, which is the same as song 11. (Don’t point fingers, Cajun music fans. If I had a dollar for every cover of “Jolie Blonde,” “Lacassine Special,” “Back Door” and other standards that have been recorded to death, I could retire).
So when something really fresh comes along, I get excited. Frank’s 20-song CD has 15 originals with fresh arrangements that include real lyrics, background vocals, even a couple of selections with saxophone (Ricky Julien, Sr.), trombone (Lawmax Williams) and keyboards.
The five covers include John Delafose’s “Lake Charles Two Step,” “Work That Coochie” by Rockin’ Sidney, the Meters-inspired “Shake It Down (Survivor Remix),” “Nine Pound Steel” from R&B great Joe Simon and Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up.”
These are familiar songs that are still fun since they haven’t died from repetition. Plus, when’s the last time you heard a zydeco band cover Curtis Mayfield? Probably never, but the song indicates the chances Frank takes on this CD. Frank even does a medley featuring flamenco, the guitar music and dance from southern Spain, which also has roots in Indian, Arabic and Spanish cultures. - Herman Fusilier, The Daily Advertiser/Offbeat
Discography
On The Bandstand(1992)
Get on Boy!(1993)
What's His Name?(1994)
Movin' On Up(1995)
Only The Strong Survive(1996)
You'd Be Surprised(1997)
On A Mission(1998)
Live at Slim's Y Ki Ki(1999)
Ready Or Not(2000)
Creole Connection(as Creole Connection)(2001)
Keith Frank(2002)
Zydeco Icon(2003)
Loved and Lost(Swingout Single as La 26 feat. Keith Frank)(2004)
Going to See Keith Frank(2005)
Soulwood All Stars Vol 1 (as Soulwood All Stars)(2005)
Soulwood All Stars Vol 2: Hit The Highway (as Soulwood All Stars)(2006)
UNDISPUTED/To Be Perfectly Frank(double disc)(2007)
Photos
Bio
Keith Frank literally has zydeco flowing through his blood. Hailing from a family of Creole Musicians, there was little doubt what path he would eventually follow. His innate musical talent, combined with the lessons of his father, uncle, and the legends of Zydeco who preceded him, have all come together to help him become one of the preeminent musicians in the genre today.
Had things worked out differently, Keith might not have ever realized his potential for music. For a while, Keith split his focus between pursuing Electronics Technology Degree and doing Music on the weekends. However, upon attaining his degree, Keith returned his focus solely to music, and formed his own band, with his sister Jennifer on bass and his brother Brad on drums backing him.
A multi-talented self-taught musician, Keith Frank is adept at playing the accordion, drums, bass, guitar, scrubboard, keyboard, piano, and even the harmonica. A natural showman, his 4 hour non-stop shows have become legendary. He can be found out on the road every weekend, whether it be in SW Louisiana and SE Texas, performing across the country, or even bringing his own brand of zydeco to fans internationally.
Several years ago, after having released CDs under various labels, Keith started his own label, Soulwood Records, and built his own studio. In the short time that it has been open, the studio has been used by many artists, both in zydeco and other forms of music. In the last year, the studio has given birth to several new CDs, including Keith's latest, the double disc release, UNDISPUTED/TO BE PERFECTLY FRANK.
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