Terrance Simien Artist Profile Extended Version | Page 7

Positively Beadhead
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