Curtis John Arceneaux (October 25, 1947 – November 25, 2011) better known by the name Coco Robicheaux, was an American blues musician and artist, from Ascension Parish, Louisiana, United States.
He was born in Merced, California, United States, the son
of Herman Arceneaux from Ascension Parish, Louisiana and Virginia Grant of
Waushara County, Wisconsin. His father was of Acadian (Cajun) descent, while on
his mother's side his ancestry included English, Norwegian, Scottish, German,
Dutch, Welsh, and Native American (Mohawk). Also on his mother's side he was a
direct descendent of accused Salem witch Sarah Cloyce. He spent some of his
preteen/early teens in France where his Air Force father was stationed for
three years. He spent some of his childhood in the French countryside
Arcenaux was no stranger to the blues, either musically
or otherwise. He played the blues most of his life, fronting his own band when
he was 13 years old, playing Bourbon Street just two years later, and inking a
record deal around the age of 18. Sounds like smooth sailing, but that often
wasn't the case for the musician. He suffered a broken back when a vehicle
struck him, and his lack of health insurance sent him to a charity hospital. In
severe pain, he waited more than 24 hours beside a gunshot victim in an emergency
room. The experience gave him a firsthand look at what a large segment of the
population goes through due to lack of affordable health insurance, and it
strengthened his resolve to do something to help.
He was one of the featured volunteer contributors on the
CD Get You a Healin', a fundraising project for the New Orleans Musicians'
Clinic housed in the Health Sciences Centre at LSU. Appearing with Robicheaux
on the funk disc were Maria Muldaur, the Funky Meters, Luther Kent, and Dr.
John, among others. The album's playful concept cantered each track on a part
of the body or a health condition, and Robicheaux contributed "Louisiana
Medicine Man." During the '60s in San Francisco, Robicheaux helped
establish a free health clinic with another civic-minded crew that counted
among its members singer Janis Joplin.
Arceneaux took his stage name from a Louisiana legend, in
which a naughty child called Coco Robicheaux is abducted by a werewolf (Loup
Garou or Rougarou). The name 'Coco Robicheaux' is repeated in the song "I
Walk on Gilded Splinters" from Dr. John the Night Tripper's 1968 album,
Gris-Gris.
Here’s “Revelator” from above album.
He made a record in 1965 for Mississippi label JB, but
did not record further until the mid-'90s, when he put out Spiritland for
Orleans Records. The album was well received, and in 1998 Robicheaux recorded
Louisiana Medicine Man and followed up
with Hoodoo Party. In 1998, Offbeat magazine dubbed him the winner of its award for the year's Best Blues Album by a Louisiana Artist. He received three nominations, one in the category of Best Blues Artist, from the Big Easy Entertainment Awards the following year.
with Hoodoo Party. In 1998, Offbeat magazine dubbed him the winner of its award for the year's Best Blues Album by a Louisiana Artist. He received three nominations, one in the category of Best Blues Artist, from the Big Easy Entertainment Awards the following year.
In addition to his New Orleans gigs, he performed in
Colorado, New York, South Carolina, Australia, and Paris. He played festivals
in Canada and France, and appeared for eight consecutive years at the New
Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival beginning in 1994. He also played annually
at the New Orleans French Quarter Festival
starting in 1995.
After the turn of the millennium, Robicheaux released three albums on the Spiritland label: Yeah, U Rite! (2005), Like I Said, Yeah, U Rite! (2008), and Revelator (2010).
starting in 1995.
After the turn of the millennium, Robicheaux released three albums on the Spiritland label: Yeah, U Rite! (2005), Like I Said, Yeah, U Rite! (2008), and Revelator (2010).
Coco Robicheaux passed away in the early evening Friday,
November 25 at Tulane Medical Centre in New Orleans age 64. He had been rushed
to the hospital after having a heart attack and collapsing at his favourite
hangout, the Apple Barrel on Frenchmen Street, where he could often be seen
lounging on the outdoor bench in his trademark reptilian boots.
Shortly after Robicheaux's death, two second-line parades
were held in his honour, both of which passed by the Apple Barrel bar. Later,
more formal musical tributes were held at the French Quarter Festival in March
2012, at the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo in May 2012, and at the New Orleans Jazz
& Heritage Festival in May 2013.
(Compiled and edited mainly from Wikipedia & Linda
Seida @ AllMusic)
2 comments:
For “Coco Robicheaux - Like I Said, Yeah U Rite!” (2008) go here:
https://yadi.sk/d/gMvJGBLq3ZLhtD
1. Work of the Devil - 5:01
2. Revelator - 3:18
3. Hot Sauce Boogie - 3:53
4. The Moment - 4:11
5. Ten Commandments of the Blues - 8:18
6. If You Still Want Me - 5:02
7. Home - 4:34
8. I'm a Musician - 3:04
9. Decision Blues - 4:16
10. Yeah, U Rite! - 3:11
A big thank you to chernest @ rckblscntrzz.blogspot for active link.
Thanks for the remembering. Coco Robicheaux was very appreciated in France I don't listen to his records for a long time. I'm gonna repair this error thanks of you.
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