Zydeco Flames

More than a decade ago, the West Coast-based Zydeco Flames evolved from a duo into its current formation of a five-piece band. Lloyd Meadows and Bruce Gordon started it all, with Gordon on accordion and Meadows on vocals, harmonica, and rub board. Rounding out the lineup are William Allums on drums, Timm Walker on bass and vocals, and Frank Bohan on guitar. Accordionist Gordon brings to the band a variety of musical experiences, including periods of work with Luther Tucker, a guitarist who played Chicago blues, and John Delafose, leader of Louisiana's Eunice Playboys. The latter's accordion playing has been featured on PBS broadcasts and movie soundtracks, as well as television advertisements. Meadows brings to Zydeco Flames an extensive background in a variety of musical genres, among them gospel, R&B, blues, classical, and jazz. Like Meadows, drummer Allums hails from a gospel background, and he still plays at a house of worship in Oakland, CA. Bass player Walker led his own outfit, Winetree, during the 1980s. With Winetree, he recorded the Cherrie Records release Hittin'. Like his diverse bandmates, Bohan, too, adds his Chicago blues experience to the mix. His other work includes contributions to Freeway Frank & the Hotwires. Zydeco Flames have played at numerous festivals and events, including six consecutive years on the stage of the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, Las Vegas' Fremont Street Experience, and Bumbershoot, the Seattle Arts Festival. Organizers of such events as Democratic fund raisers and corporate galas have booked Zydeco Flames. In the beginning, when Zydeco Flames were a simple duo, Meadows and Gordon played their brand of zydeco at the release party held for Les Blank's J'ai Ete au Bal. Arhoolie Records hosted the event. ~ Linda Seida