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Simien has been one of the most exciting zydeco players throughout
the last two decades and PB is a breakthrough record that shows
creative growth and a concurrent expansion of the definition of
zydeco.
Offbeat, John Swensen
On the mature CD Positively Beadhead, all the push and pull of
zydeco, soul music, yuppie pop and hippie rock pay off wonderfully,
delivering roots sounds that are Y2K compatible. Simien has the
fluid expressive pipes of a great R&B singer and his song writing
has never been sharper.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune,
Tom Surowicz
5 HEART RATING Terrance Simien has become the symbol of the future
for the culturally rich sound of zydeco music. With one listen to
his satin smooth vocals it becomes perfectly clear that the squeezebox
is merely a compliment to a refinement that others have stated,
can easily be compared to the crooning of Sam Cooke and Al Green.
Simien once again delivers his unique brand of music to create a
modern fusion that keeps its mind on the past, while moving boldly
into the future.
House of Blues, Albert Torres
On Positively Beadhead Terrance Simien sets the standard against
which modern Zydeco discs should be measured. It separates itself
from the pack with well-written original songs that seamlessly blend
Zydeco with soul, R&B and pop. This is not “just another
Zydeco dance party”, where the songs move your body but do
nothing for your soul. What really sets this disc apart is Simien’s
angelic voice that rings with a soulful purity that is matched only
by Aaron Neville. Simiens’s voice can move mountains with
its emotional depth. Vocals this good are rare in any genre, let
alone Zydeco.
Blues Watch, Mark Smith
……his sound is anything but traditional, blending rock,
blues, soul; he turns various styles into something refreshingly
new. But what puts Positively Beadhead over the top are Simien’s
soulful vocals.
College Music Journal
What’s happening on this smooth blend of nouveau zydeco,
Caribbean pop, and sweet
R’ n’ B is the migration of a soul. Yes, with each album
Terrance becomes less ours and more a possession of the larger musical
world, the celebrating circles of American roots music. PB is a
great record both musically and spiritually. There is no doubting
that this favorite son has some rising to do over the horizon.
The Daily Advertiser, Walter
Pierce (his hometown daily)
9 out of 9 stars. This is easily one of the best things Simien
has recorded. He does some of the finest vocals I have heard him
do. The passion is strong in his voice and there is a seasoned maturity
here and there is a quantum leap forward in his singing. Listen
up and go grab Positively Beadhead . This represents a giant step
toward a very bright future for this fine musician.
AllMusic.com, Bob Gottlieb
Just as Clifton Chenier blended the sounds of his day to give birth
to the crying baby of zydeco, similarly in the nineties, Terrance
Simien uses contemporary materials to coin a zydeco for the new
millennium. His music is much more complex than the recycled vamps
exalting salty dogs and dog hills. He sings in a silky, creamy high
end voice that is gorgeously soulful exhibiting a sheen like no
other.
Offbeat, New Orleans |