Southern music is energizing the Harshwinkler community off their sofas.
In a lively and joyful indoor concert at the Kotten, due to rainy weather, Zydeco Annie & Swamp Cats, a quintet from the USA, performed a captivating set of Zydeco music.
The band, led by the enchanting Anja Baldauf, better known as Zydeco Annie, mesmerized the audience with her lively, versatile playing and humorous moderation. The audience, initially reluctant to dance, eventually joined in, making the concert a night to remember.
The music, originating from the southern states of the USA, is known for being danceable. Zydeco Annie & Swamp Cats delivered a mix of dance numbers and ballads, including "Je Te Chante La Melodie", "Voodoo Woman", "J' Ai Perdu Ma Tete", "Baldhead", and "Drink Hurricane".
"Drink Hurricane", a composition by Zydeco Annie, is about a drunken cocktail and its consequences. The song was a highlight of the concert, as was the farewell number, "Jambalaya". The concert ended with newly interpreted versions of "You Are My Sunshine", "Hey Good Lookin'", and "Oh When The Saints".
The band's lineup includes Frederic Berger, a long-time Bavarian-French companion of Zydeco Annie, who contributed song lyrics and vocals. Guido Lehmann, known as "Rufus T.", played guitar in the quintet. John McCullough, a Texas-born bassist, and Stefan Baldauf, Annie's husband, played bass and drums respectively.
Zydeco Annie revealed that she became "Zydeco Annie" in the Harsewinkel club after inspiring visits to Louisiana. The music, with influences of Cajun music, blues, and rhythm and blues, often featuring accordion and washboard instruments, resonated with the audience, creating a lively, joyful atmosphere throughout the concert.
Despite limited information available about the band's history and origin, Zydeco Annie & Swamp Cats' performance at the Farmhouse Jazz Club was a testament to their talent and the enduring appeal of Zydeco music. For those interested in learning more about this fascinating band, consulting sources specific to Zydeco music, official band websites, or platforms dedicated to regional Louisiana music scenes is recommended.
The concert at the Farmhouse Jazz Club, featuring Zydeco Annie & Swamp Cats, showcased a mix of their captivating music styles, from dance numbers like "Drink Hurricane" and "Jambalaya" to ballads, all infused with the charm of fashion-and-beauty and food-and-drink traditions from the southern states of the USA. Their lively performance, echoing the essence of travel and entertainment, created an unforgettable atmosphere. The band's versatile lineup, including Anja Baldauf aka Zydeco Annie on accordion, Frederic Berger on lyrics and vocals, Guido Lehmann on guitar, John McCullough on bass, and Stefan Baldauf on drums, brought a unique blend of Southeastern music genres such as Cajun, blues, and rhythm and blues to the heart of the audience.
