The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast PEL Presents NEM#243: Corey Ledet's Eclectic Zydeco
Dec 5, 2025
Corey Ledet, a dynamic zydeco bandleader, accordionist, and singer-songwriter, shares insights into his eclectic music style that fuses traditional Creole with R&B and funk. He discusses the energetic vibes of his live album, *Live in Alaska*, including tracks like 'J'ai Parti dans la Campagne' and 'That Girl Wanna Dance'. Corey dives into the roots of zydeco, detailing its history and his innovative approach to songwriting, arrangement, and audience engagement, all while emphasizing a minimalist style focused on danceability.
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Why Live In Alaska Happened
- Corey Ledet recorded Live in Alaska because the venue had the right equipment and engineer to capture a true live energy.
- He chose "J'ai Parti dans la Campagne" for the album because the live version stretches the song and captures the band and audience energy.
Gospel And Audience Cues In A Zydeco Jam
- While playing "J'ai Parti..." the band drifts into gospel because the keyboardist came from church, creating a hypnotic groove.
- Audience clap and washboard hand cues were used intentionally to lock in live rhythm for the recording.
Core Zydeco Beats Define The Groove
- Zydeco relies on a few core beats: the double clutch, the slip double (swing), and the rock back (boogaloo).
- Those beats shape dance structures and allow genre mixing like reggae or funk while keeping dancers oriented.