S8E440 - Bruno Mars '24K Magic' with Corey Ledet Zydeco
When Grammy-nominated Louisiana Zydeco musician Corey Ledet offered to discuss Bruno Mars' multi-platinum third album '24K Magic', TRGMH host and part-time music snob Rob braced himself for a painful week. But Mars' tight, 9-song attempt to capture the sound of the 80s/90s R&B, funk and New Jack Swing he listened and danced to during his childhood - the same music Ledet listened to as a teen growing up in Houston, TX. - quickly won him over. Seriously, if this record doesn't make you feel a LITTLE bit better you might want to seek professional help.
Songs discussed in this episode: 24K Magic (Bruno Mars cover) - Vale Acevedo; Alaska Funk (Live in Alaska), Buchanan Ledet Special, Jai Parti Dans La Campagne, This Is All I Want (Live in Alaska) - Corey Ledet Zydeco; Computer Love - Zapp & Roger; 24K Magic - Bruno Mars; The Message - Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five; Chunky - Bruno Mars; Poison - Bell Biv Devoe; Funky Drummer Pt. 1 - James Brown; Perm - Bruno Mars; Jungle Love - Morris Day and The Time; Love Never Felt So Good (Michael Jackson cover) - Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band; That's What I Like, Versace On The Floor - Bruno Mars; Classical Gas - Weird Al Yankovic; Baby I'm Yours - Shai; Straight Up & Down - Bruno Mars; Treasure (Bruno Mars cover) - Corey Ledet Zydeco (Live Jazz Fest 2017); Calling All My Lovelies, Finesse, Too Good To Say Goodbye - Bruno Mars; The Lady In My Life - Michael Jackson; Boudin Man (Live in Alaska) - Corey Ledet Zydeco
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Corey Ledet was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and spent his Summers with relatives in small-town Parks, where he was exposed to their Kouri-Veni language and Creole traditions. This molded and shaped Corey’s world in a profound way. This culture has its roots in Louisiana, but eventually spread across the country, including into neighboring Texas. When he returned home after Summer, Corey was able to remain immersed in the Creole culture he learned to love. He learned everything he could about Creole culture – the traditions, the food, and most importantly, the music -- so that he could incorporate it into all aspects of his life.
His love for Creole/Zydeco music was instant and hard to ignore. Ledet studied the originators of the music like Clifton Chenier, John Delafose, and Boozoo Chavis. His studies branched out to include any (and all) Zydeco artists. At the age of 10, Corey started picking up shows as drummer for Houston’s Wilbert Thibodeaux and the Zydeco Rascals and slowly learned his way around the main instrument of the style – accordion. He came to truly love every type of accordion: the single-note, triple-note and piano key … as well as still more exotic species! He worked at building his skills and coming to know knew each one intimately.
By the time he graduated from high school, Ledet was certain that music would be the focus of his future. Eventually, he moved to Louisiana to be fully immersed in his beloved Creole culture.
To this day, Corey Ledet remains true to his family and cultural roots and looks for ways to incorporate th…
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