New Stones Single: "Zydeco Sont Pas Sale" featuring Steve Riley

Steve Adcock: " Roll away THE STONES! Colossal News Afoot!
Lookie-here what's come in the mail! The one of two in the world
test-pressing white label 7" vinyl of the newest @therollingstones
single... A Clifton Chenier cover that I produced (pinch me)‼️ Yeaux -
could that be @mickjagger singin' in perfect Creole French... CC'est What⁉️"


https://www.instagram.com/p/DIqGfLJOU_t/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D&img_index=1

https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/79/25/sPajd6N5_t.jpg

recorded December
https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/3d/55/SsswuA1F_t.jpg

original
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufpB5JvzgD8

"Zydeco Sont Pas Sale" ("Zydeco is not for sale")

"Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones has expressed admiration for
the zydeco accordionist Clifton Chenier, stating that he was a great
influence on him. Jagger mentioned listening to Chenier's records
on the Arhoolie label around 1965, and he especially loved
Chenier's ability to adapt blues numbers to his own style. Jagger
also highlighted the unique shuffle with the washboard,
characteristic of Chenier's music."

"June 25 is Clifton Chenier Day. The Grammy-winning artist
and Opelousas native was honored with a day in his name by the
Louisiana House of Representatives. The day honoring the King of
Zydeco will take place every year from 2021 until 2025. June 25,
2025 will mark Chenier's 100th birthday."

https://www.explorelouisiana.com/sites/default/files/2023-12/Chenierpostcard.jpg

https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/43/9d/xSuLZAx8_t.jpg


To honor the legacy of Clifton Chenier – AKA The King of Zydeco –
on what would have been his 100th birthday, we’ve gathered an
all-star cast of Louisiana musicians as well as artists from around
the country to honor Clifton’s influence and his uncanny ability
to unite traditionalists, rock ‘n’ rollers and Louisiana with the
rest of the world. We hope you enjoy our tribute to the undisputed
King of Zydeco, recorded in Lafayette, Louisiana where even the
crawfish got soul! A sampling of the artists featured in this tribute:
» The Rolling Stones » Steve Earle » Lucinda Williams »
Jimmie Vaughan » Taj Mahal » CJ Chenier » John Hiatt » John
Cleary » Los Texmaniacs » Geno Delafose » Steve Riley » Marcia
Ball » And more!

Thank you Revy!

The best cover of the title song I've heard was this one from Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Also one of the greatest album covers ever:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgNucOjOfn0

The Wick wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 3:25pm:

The best cover of the title song I've heard was this one from Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgNucOjOfn0

truly great, thanks

Some light zydeco to warm up: From Chris Jagger's "Rock the Zydeco" (US edition of Atcha) with Mick Jagger on bvocals... "Will ya, Won't ya?"

:willya :willya :willya :willya

https://youtu.be/dPRyGipX3BA?feature=shared

This is silly.

Some Guy wrote on Apr 21^st, 2025 at 6:43pm:

This is silly.

Not "silly". Rather "salé". Pronounced "sal-lay".

There are different versions of the lyrics, so it will be
fun to see which one Mick chooses. I've chosen this one:

O Maman! Quoi elle va faire avec le nègre?
Les haricots est pas salé; Les haricots sest pas salé.
T'as volé mon traîneau; t'as volé mon traîneau.
Regarde Hip et Taiaut; regarde Hip et Taiaut.

Oh Mama! What's she going to do with the Negro?
The snap beans aren't salty; the snap beans aren't salty.
You stole my sled; you stole my sled.
Look at Hip and Taiaut; look at Hip and Taiaut.

And how did "les haricots" (snap beans) become "zydeco"?
Wikipedia details the two leading theories in a section
of their "zydeco" article entitled "origin of term".

What everyone agrees upon is that the phrase "the snap
beans aren't salty" refers to hard times. Times so hard
that no one can afford salt pork for their beans.
The remainder of the lyrics are similarly interpreted
as reflecting financial stress.

Rev 20 Redlights wrote on Apr 20^th, 2025 at 6:10am:

https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/79/25/sPajd6N5_t.jpg

here's a somewhat better view of the new Gator Tongue

https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/c7/ac/DnxqF2Rr_t.jpg


The album is on Valcour Records. Will the single be an official
Rolling Stones label release?

This test pressing is dated March 27.  Will we have to wait until
the album release June 27, or will we get the single sooner?

Personally i want the deluxe package. The 12-inch single
(extended version) plus the Gator Tongue t-shirt

I'm in.
But surely there is a 12 & a  half foot  version with an actual alligator?

Lucinda Williams, from the album, a duet with Tommy McClain...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBGI0VJeACc


NEW YORK (AP) — The Rolling Stones’Mick Jagger sings in
swaggering French. Louisiana native Lucinda Williams delivers a
slow, slinky, swamp pop sound. Steve Earle, Taj Mahal, Jimmie
Vaughan, Charley Crockett and more energize Creole classics from
accordionist and pioneer Clifton Chenier, the late King of Zydeco...

All proceeds from “A Tribute to the King” will fund the newly
established Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship, which will provide
financial assistance to students studying traditional music —
specifically zydeco accordion — at the University of Louisiana at
Lafayette.

“A Tribute to the King of Zydeco” Tracklist

1. “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés,” The Rolling Stones and Steve Riley

2. “Easy Easy Baby,” Charley Crockett and Nathan Williams, Sr.

3. “Hey ’Tite Fille,” Taj Mahal and Keith Frank

4. “Release Me,” Lucinda Williams, Tommy McClain and Keith Frank

5. “Just Like A Woman,” Steve Earle and Anthony Dopsie

6. “I’m On The Wonder,” Jon Cleary and Curley Taylor

7. “My Soul,” Jimmie Vaughan, Johnny Nicholas and Steve Riley

8. “Hot Rod,” David Hidalgo and CJ Chenier

9. “Tout Le Temps En Temps,” Shannon McNally, Keith Frank and Molly Tuttle

10. “Ay Ai Ai,” Ruben Ramos with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Meyers

11. “I May Be Wrong,” Marcia Ball and Geno Delafose

12. “I’m Coming Home,” CJ Chenier and Sonny Landreth

13. “You Used To Call Me,” John Hiatt and Roddie Romero

14. “Why Did You Go Last Night,” Kam Franklin, A.J. Haynes and Roddie Romero

https://apnews.com/article/clifton-chenier-tribute-rolling-stones-lucinda-williams-640f4f30708894a357dd03cf2e50c64f

All right, but then there was this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdOI6jIRdRQ&t=127s

Interesting

The Lucinda Williams single is streaming only. Valcour Records has
a new website "under construction". Ultimate Classic Rock says the
Stones single will be released "this summer", probably late June,
same time as the album.  And we know we're gonna get vinyl...

Perhaps AI has something relevant to add with regard to the
Stones single...

Music records are sometimes released under a shared label by
two different record companies. This often happens through co-
branding, joint ventures, or distribution deals where labels
collaborate to leverage their respective strengths, such as
marketing, distribution networks, or artist rosters. For example, a
smaller label might partner with a major label to gain wider reach,
sharing branding on the release.

andrews27 wrote on Apr 24^th, 2025 at 5:51pm:

All right, but then there was this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdOI6jIRdRQ&t=127s

Hey AI, were they all drunk?

The Rolling Stones and The Chieftains recorded
"The Rocky Road to Dublin" for The Chieftains' 1995
album The Long Black Veil. There's no definitive evidence that
everyone was drunk during the session, but the track's raw,
rollicking energy and chaotic vibe might give that impression.
The Chieftains, known for their spirited performances, often
embraced a lively, pub-like atmosphere in their recordings,
and the Stones, no strangers to rock 'n' roll excess, likely leaned
into the fun. But without firsthand accounts (none surfaced in my
search), it’s likely a mix of deliberate style and high spirits rather
than actual inebriation.

So in other words, only Keith and Ronnie were drunk?

Haha, you’re trying to pin it on Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood,
huh? No hard evidence says they were drunk but, knowing Keith
and Ronnie’s legendary reputations for living the rock ‘n’ roll
lifestyle, it’s not a stretch to imagine them having a pint or
two in the studio.

AI hahahahahahahaha

posted without a source by Rockman

additional musicians Steve Riley's bandmates from The Mamou Playboys

the single is only 3:40 but expect the 12-inch version to be about
6 minutes with nice solos from mick keith and ronnie




https://photos.smugmug.com/GLIMMERBOY-2/i-4bktX5S/0/Nd9QDNTD6GMkX4b56q5hD7gH2cfhSqCN7bvbZcB2v/O/CLIFTON%20TRIBUTE%2002.jpg

https://www.mamouplayboys.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Steve-Riley-and-the-Mamou-Playboys-2024.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS5hYQipxnc

Can’t wait

Rev 20 Redlights wrote on Apr 26^th, 2025 at 1:35am:

Valcour Records has a new website "under construction". Ultimate Classic Rock says the Stones single will be released "this summer", probably late June, same time as the album.

The new Valcour Records website is up now, so you can pre-order the
album there instead of Amazon. But no sign yet of the single, nor of
the Alligator Tongue...

https://www.valcourrecords.com/


https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/c7/ac/DnxqF2Rr_t.jpg

(a minor point perhaps... or... do the two versions differ significantly?)

on the Alcour album, it is The Rolling Stones and Steve Riley

on the Alligator Tongue single, it is The Rolling Stones featuring Steve Riley

(I'd say this supports my earlier guess that the single is longer, with more
solos by mick keith ronnie)

Here the picture sleeve, for the 7" single, with thanks to Nico Zentgraf

https://rocksoff.org/headers2025/j5-zydeco-sont-pas-single7.jpg

Link: https://uhfrecords.com/UPC/096294559911

Label: ARHOOLIE RECORDS (Smithsonian/Folkways)

"Zydeco et Pas Sales" is a song with humble origins that gave it's name to
an entire musical tradition. Translating to snapbeans and no salt, a reference
to the hardships of rural poverty, the song had a long history in the
Louisiana countryside before it became a signature hit for Clifton Chenier,
known as the King of Zydeco. With just his voice, accordion, washboard, and
drums, Chenier fuses blues and R&B with the Creole and Cajun music
bedrock of South Louisiana to create music that moves you. Now, sixty
years after Chenier first recorded it, The Rolling Stones give the song their
signature treatment. "Zydeco Sont Pas Sales" turns the accordion-driven
classic into a rapturous rock'n'roll anthem. Sung entirely in French by Mick
Jagger and featuring the spirited playing of iconic Louisiana accordionist
Steve Riley, the Stones pay tribute to one of their musical heroes by
capturing the whole-hearted euphoria of Chenier's performances. This
limited edition 7" single features the Rolling Stones raucous version
of the song on it's South side. On the North side is a version from Chenier's
1965 sessions with Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz, offering a contrasting
take on the rollicking shuffle heard on his debut album. Taken together,
these two versions of the zydeco classic evidence the ways that the Black
music at the heart of zydeco and rock'n'roll-blues with it's depth and grit,
and R&B with it's cadence and soul-have traversed the globe and united
people and traditions.

(So, two unrelated labels so far, Valcour and Arhoolie. Will there be a
third? With Alligator Tongue logo and merch? My guess is yes.)

Rev 20 Redlights wrote on May 31^st, 2025 at 2:02pm:

So, two unrelated labels so far, Valcour and Arhoolie. Will there be a third? With Alligator Tongue logo and merch? My guess is yes.

Thinking more about what will we be getting on the Stones label...

Valcour got the album, Arhoolie got the single, so what are we getting next?

An EP!

An EP! The Chenier track plus several other swamp rock classics
in the vein of stuff like Susie Q and Hoodoo Blues

Thus explaining the bother of creating a special Tongue !

What a happy surprise an EP would be !



https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/c7/ac/DnxqF2Rr_t.jpg

https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/6b/9e/ZDdQB4iv_t.jpg

Rev 20 Redlights wrote on Jun 12^th, 2025 at 11:55pm:

Rev 20 Redlights wrote on May 31st, 2025 at 2:02pm: So, two unrelated labels so far, Valcour and Arhoolie. Will there be a third? With Alligator Tongue logo and merch? My guess is yes. Thinking more about what will we be getting on the Stones label... Valcour got the album, Arhoolie got the single, so what are we getting next? An EP! An EP! The Chenier track plus several other swamp rock classics in the vein of stuff like Susie Q and Hoodoo Blues Thus explaining the bother of creating a special Tongue ! What a happy surprise an EP would be !

Because of Hoodoo Blues on Blue & Lonesome I spent several
months back then discovering and re-discovering swamp blues,
swamp rock, and swamp pop...

Such rich genres, with so many of the songs just begging for
a cover by the Stones, they're so Stones-y sounding already...

Lots of great compilations and playlists on youtube. Here's one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuJTn1RQ2us


So a Stones EP would simply name itself, especially with everybody these
days saying "Can't, I'm Swamped"

https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/80/18/faqpro7M_t.jpg

Suuper swamped.

Rev 20 Redlights wrote on Jun 12^th, 2025 at 11:55pm:

An EP! The Chenier track plus several other swamp rock classics in the vein of stuff like Susie Q and Hoodoo Blues

PLUS the title track, an original twangy instrumental, a
sixty-years-later companion piece to "Stoned"...


Swamped !

Where am I at ?

Don't bite off me leg ! Don't bite off me arm !



https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/80/18/faqpro7M_t.jpg


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


also, thanks to iorr's bye bye johnny, a great long article from The Atlantic


The Rolling Stones Play Zydeco

How the legendary rock band discovered the music of Clifton Chenier


https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/38/de/ELMBajAo_t.jpg


https://archive.ph/KyHJX

A few excerpts:

Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards convene a 3 a.m. jam session at the
New York studios of Atlantic Records. On equipment borrowed from Bruce
Springsteen, they play “Don’t You Lie to Me”—first the Chuck Berry version,
then Clifton Chenier’s Zydeco interpretation

May 3, 2024: the day after the Rolling Stones performed at the New Orleans
Jazz & Heritage Festival. During their set, the Stones had asked the
accordion player Dwayne Dopsie, a son of another zydeco artist, Rockin’
Dopsie, to accompany the band on “Let It Bleed.”

The Stones’ version of “Zydeco Sont Pas Salé” opens with St. Julien,
Chenier’s longtime drummer, playing a backbeat with brushes. He’s 77 now,
no longer the young man Jagger saw in Watts in 1978. “I quit playing music
about 10 years ago, to tell the truth,” he said when we spoke this spring,
but you wouldn’t know it by how he sounds on the track. Keith Richards’s
guitar part, guttural and revving, meets St. Julien in the intro and builds
steadily.