Zachary Richard

Zachary Richard launched his career on the cusp of the Cajun renaissance in the early '70s, but even then was a renegade. He picked up Cajun accordion along with an education in the roots music of southwest Louisiana, but mixed it all up with raging rock 'n' roll, slivers of pop, country, stuff out of New Orleans, and basically whatever struck his fancy. His French-language songs strongly advocating preservation of French North American heritage soon made him a hero in French Canada, leading to a curiously split career between there and the states with virtually no overlap. A series of U.S. releases for the likes of Rounder and A&M in the '80s was sandwiched between extensive stretches almost exclusively in Canada. This year's Last Kiss (Artist Garage) is his first English-language album in 17 years, and it's a good one, riding a rootsy Americana ambience strongly influenced by Daniel Lanois, referencing the Cajun experience while drawing on blues, gospel, and folk. This will be Richard's first local appearance in decades. He'll be accompanied by New Orleans pianist David Torkanowsky and guitarist Shane Theriot. $25 at 7 p.m., $20 at 9:30 p.m. (Photo by Julien Faugère)
Sun., Nov. 29, 2009