At Rhythm and Roots in Charlestown, RI, Curley and I chatted about his most recent CD "Free Your Mind" and "Close to Midnight", the bundled two CD set. "Free your Mind" presents Curley's brand of soulful Zydeco while "Close to Midnight" delivers four purely provocative and seductive R&B tunes that are hot!

The duel CD effort is almost entirely written by Curley. I asked Curley what he liked best about the project. He said it was a difficult question but he answered it in this way. He explained that he wanted a collection of catchy songs and songs of dedication; dance music with an R&B treatment. He said "I really like Creole Man" for which he thanks Chubby Carrier for the inspiration to write it. This Song's Dedicated is a dedication to the band's families, friends, preachers and teachers and all their influences; to the troops who risk their lives everyday for our freedoms; to the strong souls who suffered the devastation of Katrina; and to all the fans who have supported Curley and Zydeco Trouble. His It's Alright tune is about acceptance and tolerance. He explained he wanted to convey the idea that "it's alright" to come to the club and have a good time. That "it's alright" to do what you want to do; "it's alright" to be who you are; "it's alright" to live your truths.

I asked Curley about Noam Guerrier Freud having learned the rap in the Blue Jeans song. Curley responded: "It was one of the highlights of my musical career. That someone 1,000+ miles away in another country would know my music is incredible." Noam is a young Canadian boy who comes to the summer festivals in New England with his dad and plays rubboard with many of the Louisiana Zydeco bands. Curley invited Noam to sing the rap as the final song in a set at the Strawberry Park Blast from the Bayou Cajun & Zydeco Festival. The dance crowd loved it!

Turning attention to the "Close to Midnight" CD, Curley smiled when I asked him about its seductive qualities. When Curley plays a club, he plays his high energy Zydeco for the dance crowd but as the evening mood starts to change toward midnight, he plays the "Close to Midnight" tunes. While the language is not explicit in the collection, there is no question that Curley is setting the tone for what comes after the dance among the remaining couples in the house. Yet, perhaps there really is some question in the meaning because I asked Curley to explain Lick it, Stick it. He laughed and said "Let's make this hilarious." He said he was inspired while paying his bills. As he prepared the bill for mailing and held the envelope in his hand to be stamped he had to "lick it, and stick it." With a big grin, Curley said "It's about a stamp! lol! " You listen and you decide what it is about.


Disc One: Free Your Mind
1. Country Boy II (3:38)
2. Country Girl (3:08)
3. Free Your Mind (4:24)
4. Creole Man (3:37)
5. Baby Girl (3:55)
6. It's Alright (3:53)
featuring Marc Broussard
7. Just You (4:14)
8. Kiss Me Like You Miss Me (3:35)
9. Let Me Know if I'm the One (3:33)
10. Something in Your Eyes (4:25)
11. This Song's Dedicated (3:13)
12. Blue Jeans (4:07)

Disc Two: Close to Midnight
1. You're the Only 1 4 Me (4:48)
featuring Toni Benji
2. Sexual Fantasy (4:14)
3. Gotta Have You (4:53)
featuring Mr. 6:30
4. Lick it Stick it (4:31)