The album opens with "My Parrain Is The Loup Garou," which is also the title of a book that Johnette Downing wrote, a Cajun tale that was published in 2023. This song is a fun number, as you might have guessed from its title. Hey, we all have interesting characters in our families, I suppose. But if your godfather is a werewolf, I would be careful at family gatherings, although, as happens here, you'll probably have some grand adventures. The energy on this track is popping. I love that last section, when there is a cool change. This track ends with a howl. Why not? The loup garou should have his say, right That's followed by "Going To The La La." "Yeah, we're going to the la la, going to have some fun/Put on your dancing shoes, and lace 'em up real tight." Oh yes, it's another fun number. Well, most zydeco is fun, so what do you expect? This one was written by Johnette Downing, Scott Billington and Nathan Williams. It features some great stuff on accordion, plus some delicious work on harmonica. "We're going to the la la, it's a happy place." Well, then that's where we all need to go. Enough of this misery, let's enjoy ourselves.
"Juré" begins with a beat, including some clapping, and you immediately want to join. So go right ahead. This song features some seriously good drumming throughout. I'm also digging that harmonica. Clearly we are in that happy place, because everything sounds cheerful, everything sounds good. Apparently, this is an older song, here presented with some different lyrics. There is also a very cool lead on guitar in the second half. This one ends as it began. It's followed by "My Aunt Came Back From Louisiane." It is a delightful number, though I have to say it still rubs me the wrong way when people pronounce "aunt" like "ant." I mean, do they pronounce "haunt" like "hant" and "gaunt" like "gant" and "flaunt" like "flant"? No! So cut that "ant" nonsense out! By the way, this song is also a title to a children's book written by Johnette Downing. This song is one to get everyone dancing.
"The Fifolet" is also the title of a children's book by Johnette Downing. Kids are going to learn a few new words listening to this album (unless, of course, they've already read the books). A fifolet is a sort of will-o'-the-wisp type thing found in the swamps of Louisiana. This track has an appropriately haunted type of vibe, and features a wonderful vocal performance. "It will tease and coax you and draw you near/But all the Cajuns know that you'd better beware." This is one of my personal favorites. There is a seriously cool sound and atmosphere to this song, and the accordion seems to want to dance with that light. Why not? Then "Hitch Up My Pony" is so ridiculously cheerful that I find myself laughing almost immediately, a surprised kind of joy taking me over as soon as the vocals come in. This song has a beat that might have you dancing, and it also contains some really nice work on accordion. "Kick up the music, gonna start up the dancing/And everything's gonna be just fine." I don't doubt it. That bass line makes it certain.
"Ready Or Not" is a song about a game of hide and seek. Having heard this song, now I think whenever the game is played, instead of calling out "Ready or not, here I come," you should sing that line as is done here. Come on, you know the game will be all the more fun if you do it. I love the way Johnette Downing delivers the line here. And if you can coerce some accordion player to accompany your game, all the better. That's followed by "Pass It On," one of those songs that kids love singing. It's easy to slip in a new lyric whenever one is needed. You can keep these songs going forever if you want. But here I don't care all that much about the lyrics. It's the music that makes me happy, that good, prominent work on accordion and that great guitar work underneath it. In fact, it's the guitar work that I love most about this particular track. "It makes you warm and fuzzy, pass it on."
"Eh La Bas" is a traditional New Orleans number, here with a new adaptation by Johnette Downing. And, yes, everything is delicious about this track. I am particularly fond of the beat. And the vocal performances are delightful. Plus, the lead on accordion has a great energy. And to top it off, there is a cha cha cha ending. That's followed by "Loop De Loop," a variation on the "Hokey Pokey" theme, but, of course, much cooler because it has that zydeco feel and includes a good lead on accordion. Okay, I know you are all shaking a little while listening. You can't help it, it's okay. I can't help but love the section that is just vocals and percussion. I was probably programmed in my youth to love that because it was in so, so many songs at that time.
The pace increases on "Give Me That Zydeco." Just try to stay still while this song is playing. If you need a song to tire out the kids (or yourself), here it is. It contains some fantastic stuff on harmonica, calling us all to celebrate. This track is so much fun, and is another of the disc's highlights. The band then wraps up the album with its title track, "My Little Snap Bean." This is another traditional number, with some additional lyrics by Johnette Downing. It's all about the beat. So, yes, be prepared to dance, to shake. "If you'll do me the honor/I'd like to dance with you."
CD Track List
- My Parrain Is The Loup Garou
- Going To The La La
- Juré
- My Aunt Came Back From Louisiane
- The Fifolet
- Hitch Up My Pony
- Ready Or Not
- Pass It On
- Eh La Bas
- Loop De Loop
- Give Me That Zydeco
- My Little Snap Bean
My Little Snap Bean: Zydeco For Children is scheduled to be released on April 10, 2026 on Wiggle Worm Records.
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