Rockin Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters: More Fun
12 tracks
Rockin’ Dopsie has been a stage name for the Rubin family for seven decades. Alton Rubin used that moniker for his career until his death in 1993. His son David continues to carry the torch, playing this blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and styles, which includes blues, R&B, soul, rap and hip-hop. Country music, swamp-pop, reggae, rock also get factored into this multi-cultural musical event called Zydeco. And they work hard to keep the music relevant.
The band includes three Rubin family members, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. (David Rubin) on rub board and vocals, Tiger Dopsie (Alton Rubin, Jr.) on drums and vocals, and Anthony Dopsie (Anthony Rubin) on accordion. A variety of artists play bass, lead and rhythm guitar, saxophone, trumpet, and keyboards.
“Dopsie Zydeco” gets things rolling. It’s a straight up and short cut that is mostly instrumental and features some cool horns to accompany the accordion. Next is “Ooh Woo Woo (Please Don’t Leave Me)” has some nicely done harp and tenor sax, and Junior sings and squeezes with emotion. “I Found A New Love” slows things down a little as the harp blows in cool fashion and a little organ intro the cut. Dopsie sings about his new gal and the tenor sax and harp again get some good featured time.
“No Good Woman” is a slow blues cut where Dopsie complains about the woman who ruined his life. Here we have some stinging guitar work and another mellow harp solo. The accordion helps set the sad mood. “Next is You’ll Lose a Good Thing” is next, sort of a late 1950’s rock tune with a Zydeco spin to it. Dopsie sings with passion, the band supports the effort well and the tune is a great belly rubbing dance song. “Dopsie’s Boogie” follows, a full-scale Zydeco instrumental that gets the blood pumping. Nice accordion work and more cool harp are the order of the day here.
Then it’s “That Was Your Mother” where Dopsie sings of his early days as a travelling salesman making moves on a Creole girl. The horn solo is great here, as is the later harp solo. There is more super accordion to savor and a small drum solo spices this song up. “I’m Coming Home” is up next. A slow, lamentful cut where he sings of returning home to his mother where he belongs. Vocals and squeeze box make this one slick and then the tenor sax come in for some more outstanding lick. “Ma ‘Tit Fille” follows, a jumping and swinging zydeco number with big, vibrant accompaniment and Cajun lyrics. The squeeze box sets the mood and pace, the harp and horns turn it into a big party of a cut.
“My Little Girl” has a long accordion and harp intro and transitions into a sweet and bluesy track. The big organ finally gets some solo time and lets loose for the listener. A long accordion and harp outro also jazz this one up nicely. “I Can’t Lose With the Stuff I Use” is a jumping cut. The harp is again featured and Dopsie does more good work on vocals and the squeeze box. The album concludes with Ay, Ai, AI,” a fun Cajun cut with a bouncy beat and front and backing vocals. Harp, guitar and accordion continue to please as the set draws to a close.
If you are looking for some new Zydeco to enjoy, then look no further. A dozen new cuts written by the band are featured. This world-traveling band has been featured on television and in films, toured on their own and with dignitaries like Tina Turner, Bonnie Raitt, BB King, The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, and Jimmy Buffet. These guys are the real deal and are Zydeco royalty. If you like Zydeco, then you must own this album.
