Now's the Time

Rosie Ledet, the "Zydeco Sweetheart," has become one of the more successful artists playing today. Her band, as evidenced by this record, lays down a solid dance groove. Put on "Do That Thing" and try to keep still — it's a good test of will power. Ledet sings with a solid mixture of innocence and suggestive sexuality, and she has the looks to back it up. She also has a voice that, on some of the slower numbers, can be as suggestive as any other female singer out there today. Give a listen to "More Than I Can Say" (written by Jerry Allison and Sonny Curtis), the only one she didn't write on the disc. Her songwriting is becoming better and more straightforward, but let's face it, good story telling in zydeco songs is rather rare. It is Ledet's rich and husky voice that separates her from the rest of the field and when she lets it loose, it can burn up the place. This is a good, solid effort and shows a continuing maturation on her part. It would be wonderful to get a disc from her that concentrated on the fecundity and fruitfulness in her voice.