Zachary Richard
Cultural activist, environmentalist poet and singer-songwriter Zachary Ric… Read Full Bio ↴Cultural activist, environmentalist poet and singer-songwriter Zachary Richard’s roots are deeply planted in his native Louisiana. Inspired by the various styles of the region, his song s go beyond the limitations of any particular genre. Zachary’s style is uniquely his own.
Le Fou is Zachary’s 20th album. Going back to his roots, this album is steeped in the sounds and rhythms of Louisana. The texture is acoustic folk. The songs simple yet rich in emotion. The themes of resistance (Laisse le vent souffler - Let the storm wind blow), of separation (La chanson des migrateurs - The migrant’s song) and of identity (Orignal ou caribou - Moose or caribou) are still present in Zachary’s work, but this album has a unique Louisiana flavor as only Zachary Richard can prepare. Clif’s Zydeco, Sweet Sweet, Crevasse Crevasse, Bee de la manche pay tribute to the culture of Zachary’s bayou home. The title song (Le Fou - The Crazy) was inspired by the Deepwater Horizon spill of 2010. The first bird to be captured and cleaned in April of that year was a northern gannet, whose name in French is “Fou de Bassan” (Crazy from Bassan). The folly of which the song speaks is the folly of mankind in destroying the natural environment. It’s enough to make you crazy.
Zachary received his first recording contract at the age of 21. He was the last artist to sign with Electra records before the creation of WEA. That album, High Time, was lost in the maelstrom surrounding the merger and was not released until 2000 when the original masters were found in a vault in New York City and made available on Rhino Hand Made.
It was during his early days in New Yorek that Zachary made a discovery that would influence his art and effect the rest of his life. With the advance money from the record company, he purchased a Cajun accordion. From that moment on, he was swept up by the French language culture of Louisiana. Delving into the Cajun tradition, Zachary formed the first new generation Cajun/Rock band. It would be years, however, before Cajun music became popular outside of rural Louisiana. In the meantime, Zachary career led him to Canada and France.
From 1976 until 1981, Zachary lived in Montreal, recording seven French language albums including two gold albums, Mardi Gras and Migration. Despite critical and commercial success in the French-speaking world, Zachary returned to Louisiana in the early 1980s and began another phase of his career, this time recording in English. He recorded two albums for Rounder Records, Mardi Gras Mambo and the perennial favorite Zack’s Bon Ton, before signing with A&M, and recording two albums at the label, Women in the Room, and SnakeBite Love. Non-stop touring and the strength of these recordings guaranteed Zachary an international following.
In 1994, after and extended absence from the French market, Zachary returned to Canada to play at the Acadian World Congress in New Brunswick. Passionately inspired by his heritage once again, Zachary began a new collection of French songs. The result was Cap Enragé. This double platinum (Canada) album established Zachary Richard as one of the foremost singer-songwriters in the French-speaking world. Once again Zachary had broken the mold, weaving a musical tapestry rich in atmosphere, with masterfully crafted lyrics dealing with far ranging themes.
During his years in Montreal, Zachary published three volumes of poetry, receiving the prestigious Prix Champlain for Faire Récolte in 1998. Zachary’s third volume, Feu was awarded the Prix Roland Gasparic in Roumania, the jury noting not only Zachary’s unique poetics, but also his militant commitment to the defense of the French language in North America. With his daughter Sarah, Zachary had published three children’s book.
In 1996, Zachary founded Action Cadienne, a volunteer organization dedicated to the promotion of the French language and the Cadien/Cajun culture of Louisiana. His contributions to the arts and to French culture were recognized by the government of France in March, 1997. Zachary Richard was decorated Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres de la République Française. That same year, Zachary was initiated into the Ordre des Francophones d’Amérique by the government of Québec. Zachary has received three honorary doctorates, bestowed by the University of Moncton (New Brunswick), the University of Louisiana (Lafayette) and Ste Anne’s University in Nova Scotia.
Zachary Richard has produced and narrated numerous television documentaries. In collaboration with Louisiana Public Broadcasting, he produced, narrated and scored Against the Tide, the story of the Cajun people of Louisiana which was awarded Best Historical Documentary by the National Educational Television Association (NETA) in 2000. A French version, Contre vents, contre marées received the Prix Historia from the L’institut d’Histoire de l’Amérique Française in 2003. Other documentary projects included Coeurs Batailleurs, a 26 part series exploring the Acadian diaspora, Migrations, which dealt with avian migration in North America and was awarded the Liriot D’or (first prize) and the International Ornithological Film Festival (France) in 2008, and most recently Kouchibouguac, which investigated the social upheaval following the expropriation of 250 Acadian families in 1978 for the creation of a national park.
The celebrated Creole poet, Aimé Césaire, once said that to separate himself from one of his languages (French and Créole) would be like cutting off one of his hands. It is much the same for Zachary. Participating completely in two distinct cultures and creating in his two languages, French and English, Zachary’s artistic experience is unique. He is the most American of French songwriters, and the most French of the American.
Official Website: Zachary Richard
Le Fou is Zachary’s 20th album. Going back to his roots, this album is steeped in the sounds and rhythms of Louisana. The texture is acoustic folk. The songs simple yet rich in emotion. The themes of resistance (Laisse le vent souffler - Let the storm wind blow), of separation (La chanson des migrateurs - The migrant’s song) and of identity (Orignal ou caribou - Moose or caribou) are still present in Zachary’s work, but this album has a unique Louisiana flavor as only Zachary Richard can prepare. Clif’s Zydeco, Sweet Sweet, Crevasse Crevasse, Bee de la manche pay tribute to the culture of Zachary’s bayou home. The title song (Le Fou - The Crazy) was inspired by the Deepwater Horizon spill of 2010. The first bird to be captured and cleaned in April of that year was a northern gannet, whose name in French is “Fou de Bassan” (Crazy from Bassan). The folly of which the song speaks is the folly of mankind in destroying the natural environment. It’s enough to make you crazy.
Zachary received his first recording contract at the age of 21. He was the last artist to sign with Electra records before the creation of WEA. That album, High Time, was lost in the maelstrom surrounding the merger and was not released until 2000 when the original masters were found in a vault in New York City and made available on Rhino Hand Made.
It was during his early days in New Yorek that Zachary made a discovery that would influence his art and effect the rest of his life. With the advance money from the record company, he purchased a Cajun accordion. From that moment on, he was swept up by the French language culture of Louisiana. Delving into the Cajun tradition, Zachary formed the first new generation Cajun/Rock band. It would be years, however, before Cajun music became popular outside of rural Louisiana. In the meantime, Zachary career led him to Canada and France.
From 1976 until 1981, Zachary lived in Montreal, recording seven French language albums including two gold albums, Mardi Gras and Migration. Despite critical and commercial success in the French-speaking world, Zachary returned to Louisiana in the early 1980s and began another phase of his career, this time recording in English. He recorded two albums for Rounder Records, Mardi Gras Mambo and the perennial favorite Zack’s Bon Ton, before signing with A&M, and recording two albums at the label, Women in the Room, and SnakeBite Love. Non-stop touring and the strength of these recordings guaranteed Zachary an international following.
In 1994, after and extended absence from the French market, Zachary returned to Canada to play at the Acadian World Congress in New Brunswick. Passionately inspired by his heritage once again, Zachary began a new collection of French songs. The result was Cap Enragé. This double platinum (Canada) album established Zachary Richard as one of the foremost singer-songwriters in the French-speaking world. Once again Zachary had broken the mold, weaving a musical tapestry rich in atmosphere, with masterfully crafted lyrics dealing with far ranging themes.
During his years in Montreal, Zachary published three volumes of poetry, receiving the prestigious Prix Champlain for Faire Récolte in 1998. Zachary’s third volume, Feu was awarded the Prix Roland Gasparic in Roumania, the jury noting not only Zachary’s unique poetics, but also his militant commitment to the defense of the French language in North America. With his daughter Sarah, Zachary had published three children’s book.
In 1996, Zachary founded Action Cadienne, a volunteer organization dedicated to the promotion of the French language and the Cadien/Cajun culture of Louisiana. His contributions to the arts and to French culture were recognized by the government of France in March, 1997. Zachary Richard was decorated Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres de la République Française. That same year, Zachary was initiated into the Ordre des Francophones d’Amérique by the government of Québec. Zachary has received three honorary doctorates, bestowed by the University of Moncton (New Brunswick), the University of Louisiana (Lafayette) and Ste Anne’s University in Nova Scotia.
Zachary Richard has produced and narrated numerous television documentaries. In collaboration with Louisiana Public Broadcasting, he produced, narrated and scored Against the Tide, the story of the Cajun people of Louisiana which was awarded Best Historical Documentary by the National Educational Television Association (NETA) in 2000. A French version, Contre vents, contre marées received the Prix Historia from the L’institut d’Histoire de l’Amérique Française in 2003. Other documentary projects included Coeurs Batailleurs, a 26 part series exploring the Acadian diaspora, Migrations, which dealt with avian migration in North America and was awarded the Liriot D’or (first prize) and the International Ornithological Film Festival (France) in 2008, and most recently Kouchibouguac, which investigated the social upheaval following the expropriation of 250 Acadian families in 1978 for the creation of a national park.
The celebrated Creole poet, Aimé Césaire, once said that to separate himself from one of his languages (French and Créole) would be like cutting off one of his hands. It is much the same for Zachary. Participating completely in two distinct cultures and creating in his two languages, French and English, Zachary’s artistic experience is unique. He is the most American of French songwriters, and the most French of the American.
Official Website: Zachary Richard
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Zachary Richard Lyrics
À La Radio Moi, je veux jouer à la radio Moi, je veux jouer…
Acadian Driftwood The war was over and the spirit was broken The hills…
Allons Danser Je veux danser, danser avec toi, Je veux danser, danser ave…
Antibon Legbo Antibon Legbo, ouvrez barrière pour mo passer. Antibon Legb…
Assimilation Assimilation, si pas pareille au moins beaucoup parent, Ass…
Au bord de Lac Bijou Dans le Sud de la Louisianne, dans le bois d'Attakapas Où…
Au paradis avec toi A ce matin, c'était la tristesse Qui m'a réveillé. J'ai se…
Au ranch à Willy La nuit avant que je m'endors Je ferme mes yeux très…
Aux Natchitoches Aux Natchitoches, y'avait une brune, A qui je veux lui fair…
Burning Set out from Saint Joe on no ordinary journey, Headed down…
Cap enragé Le vent m'arrache la peau Il fouette les flancs et glace…
Chanque Part 2 Chanquis Chanque, Chanquis Chanque tous les soirs. Chanquis…
Chanson Pour Les Enfants D'acadie Cher enfant, j'ai fait cette chanson pour toi, Pour que tu…
Cocodrie Me, I'm gonna catch-a-me a cocodrie, Gonna catch-a-me a coco…
Colinda Allons danser, Colinda, Dansé collé, Colinda. Allons danse…
Come On Sheila I've been waiting here since this morning, I'll wait as lon…
Comme deux loups Comme deux loups frappés Par la lumière de la lune. Comme …
Comme une oiseaue Comme une oiseaue Dans une cage, Prisonière de ton image, …
Crawfish Way down in the bayou, stuck in the mud. There's a…
Dancing At Double D's Way back up in the country on the Bayou road There's…
Dans le Nord Canadien Ça me donne des frissons, Chaque fois que j'entends le son. …
Dans mon rêve Cette nuit je me suis perdu Dans un lieu étrange et…
Dear Darling Dear darling, it's good to see you, What took you so…
Down In Congo Square In the deep of the night, with the beat of…
Esmeralda It was in a sad hotel, On the back street of…
File Gumbo Breaux Bridge Betty called me up on the party line Said,…
Fire In The Night A call came from Denver in the middle of the…
Flammes D'enfer Oh, pauvre Mama, Priez pour moi. Sauvez mon ?me, Des flammes…
Give Me Back My Wings Give me back my wings Take me to the mountain and…
Give My Heart Give me back my wings Take me to the mountain and…
Grand Gris Gris Y a un grand gris gris Couchait dans ma petite chambre…
Handa Wanda La plus belle chose que j'ai jamais vu. Les grands sauvages…
Heart On Fire Standing on the corner playing for nickels and dimes, When …
Hello Joséphine Hello Josephine. How do you do? Do you remember me…
High Time Come on along, we'll take the ferry boat down to…
Hold On When the night falls on the horizon, She comes out from…
Hootchie Kootchie pour Toi J'aime bien tes cheveux bleues, j'aime bien tes tatouages, …
I Yi Yi Way down in Louisiana Underneath the evergreens, I was sit…
Iko Iko My grand-ma and your grand-ma were sit-tin' by the fire.…
Invitation Des Mardi Gras Les Mardi Gras se rassemblent une fois par an Pour demander…
J'ai Été Au Bal J'ai été-z-au bal hier au soir Je va's retourner encore à…
J'aime la vie Je m′appelle Emile, et je suis un petit garçon J'aime mes…
Jambalaya Good-bye Joe, me gotta go, me oh my oh Me gotta…
Jésus en arrière Mon nom c′est L'Ace de Pique et je viens de…
Joe Ferraille È ma chère maman Devant la porte de la prison Avec ses…
Joe Pitre Joe Pitre a deux femmes, Joe Pitre a deux femmes, C'est Rose…
Johnny Danser Je suis né sous la pleine lune au début du…
L'arbre Est Dans Ses Feuilles L'arbre est dans ses feuiiiiiilllles Marilonnn Marilééééé …
La Ballade de Beausoleil La lune est pleine, on monte ce soir avec Beausoleil. Il…
La ballade de DL-8-153 La lune est pleine, on monte ce soir avec Beausoleil. Il…
La Ballade de Howard Hebert Était vaillant bougre oui, et mon ami Il a resté avec…
La Ballade de Jackie Vautour O no, tu vas pas me grouiller. C'est ma terre icitte, C'es…
La Ballade de Jean Batailleur Je m'apelle Jean, Jean Batailleur Je mennuies tant, que sa'm…
La berceuse Créole Sha la la , fais dodo petit bébé, Chaud chaud dans…
La Chanson Des Mardi Gras Les Mardi Gras se rassemblent une fois par an Pour demander…
Laisse le vent souffler Le shérif est venu Pour nous avertir Il nous dit qu′un ourag…
Larbre Est Dans Ses Feuilles L'arbre est dans ses feuiiiiiilllles Marilonnn Marilééééé L'…
Last Kiss Two children playing on a dusty road Barefoot running in the…
Le paradis des strip-teaseuses Au bord de la 132, à l Est de Trois…
Les ailes d'une hirondelle Si j'avais les ailes des hirondelles, Je volerai do haut ci…
Les Ailes Des Hirondelles Si j'avais les ailes des hirondelles, Je volerai do haut cie…
Let Your Love Spread Let your love spread like a ripple in a pond. Let…
Love My Zydeco Hey, Hey, Hey Laissez bon temps rouler. Oh, Oh, Oh, I lov…
Ma Louisianne Oublie voir pas qu’on est Cadien, Mes chers garçons et mes…
Ma Petite Fille Est Gone Ma 'tite fille est gone, Elle est partie hier au soir. Ma…
Madeleine Ze zdi na mě tupě zírá po trezoru temná díra, poznám tedy…
Mama Rosin Oh, Mama Rosin. Oh, Mama Rosin. Sortez donc c'est la rhumb…
Manchac Way back up in the woods along the Bogue Chitto, Where…
Mardi Gras Mambo Les Mardi Gras se rassemblent une fois par an Pour demander…
Marjolaine Marjolaine, cette nuit la lune est cachée, Dans l'ombre fau…
Migration Quand le vent du Nord, Parle avec sa grande voix Pour me…
My Nanette Hey my Nanette, What did you get All night long? Tell m…
No French No More My Papa was a hard working mand, Held a plow inside…
Ô Jésus Quand j'étais jeune, j'avais toujours peur Que Dieu m'appara…
On a Beau Dit On a beau dire, et on a beau faire. La passion…
One Kiss We had just got married, When I picked up and left…
Pagayez Pagayez, chers camarades, pagayez. Encore loin pour faire la…
Par Une Jolie Nuit Par une jolie nuit d'été, Par des baiser si mouillés, Tu m…
Pauv' 'tit neg' Pauv' 'tit neg' n'a pas de cinq sous, Pauv' 'tit neg'…
Pauv' Petit Neg' Pauv' ‘tit neg' n'a pas de cinq sous, Pauv' ‘tit neg'…
Petit Codiac Petit Codiac, Rivière jaune, Petit Codiac, Rivière jaune,…
Pleine lune en décembre Tu dis qu'il te faut de l'espace Dans ta cabane toute…
Réveille Réveille Réveille, réveille, see'est les goddams qui viennen…
Réveillé Réveille, réveille, C'est les goddams qui viennent, Voler la…
Rock It Out Put up your dust rag and your broom, We gonna rock…
Roll Me The moon comes up when the sun goes down, There's not…
Save Me Sarah How many nights, I've wanted to hold you? How many times Hav…
See You Later Alligator Well I saw my baby walkin' With another man today Well I…
Shades of Blue Shades of blue on a white snow ground, Silver stars in…
Snake Bite Love I should've known something was going on When I saw old…
Son Premier Bal Belle lumière, Qui brille au ciel vient me faire l'amour, …
Steal A Smile Late one night in a great big city I was sitting…
Sunset on Louisianne When I was young and full of dreams, My whole life…
Take Me Away I've been looking for you all of my life, But I…
Take Me Deep Tonight your voice came closer in, Through brand new ears, I…
Tell Everybody Tell everybody, Baby, this fool's in love with you. My han…
Ton Ton Gris Gris Ton Ton Gris Gris Ton Ton Gris Gris Comme la langue d'un…
Ton Ton Gris-Gris Ton Ton Gris Gris Ton Ton Gris Gris Comme la langue d'un…
Too Many Women I tell you that I like it just as much…
Travailler C'est Trop Dur Travailler c’est trop dur, Et voler c’est pas beau. Demand…
Un Autre Baiser Juste après qu'on se marie, Je doit te quitter ma belle. P…
Un Autre Soir Ennuyant C'est un autre soir ennuyant, Quand toi t'es pas la, Les l…
Viens Nous Rejoind' Viens nous rejoindre dans la belle Louisianne, Viens nous re…
Who Stole My Monkey I woke up this morning, And I looked all around. I was…
Ya Que' Chose A tous les jours j'me réveille tôt, Et je travaille jusqu'à…
Zach's Bon Ton Way back in 1965, when I heard the Black Snake…
Zack's Zydeco Hey ho, I want to go Down to Breaux Bridge to…
Zydeco Jump Rudy come running and I heard the screen door slam, Said,…
Zydeco Party Hey, it's a Zydeco party! Hey, it's a Zydeco boom! Hey, it…
Trishibebe
on Iko Iko
I tell you ma cher the thing that makes me Trieste is no Mardi Gras parties this year, and that is pas bon pas bon pas bon! The plague of 2020 and has canceled it all over our state. So I will be playing my music at top volume come this February so ll my neighbors hear it.