The thing is they've borrowed so much from each other and both become so English, or rather Americanized, that I don't think that's a useful distinction.

I'm sure that's why I can't tell the difference between the two.

There's certainly crossover between cajun and zydeco, but one is a broad cultural folk music (cajun) and the other is a regional dance music style (zydeco). I like Michael Doucet playing both.

Heather, if you want some red hot zydeo dance music that's not particularly traditional, I highly recommend Zydeco Brew. That's a side project by the aforementioned Mr. Doucet, with contributions from shit-hot guitarists Sonny Landreth and Richard Thompson. They a fantastic "Zyedeco Boogaloo" which I've put on innumerable mix tapes, and zydeco-ify "Wooly Bully" as well.

it occurred to me that rarely has there been a more appropriate opportunity for Mr. Manservant of Evil to engage in some of his customary Swamp Dogg pimping: "I Couldn't Pay for What I Got Last Night," "Mama's Baby, Daddy's Maybe," "The Love We Got Ain't Worth Two Dead Flies". One could even say that Jerry William's raison d'etre is writing twisted love songs. And twisted liner notes, but that's a different mix.

So very true. Though even the Dogg might have to take a back seat to Screamin' Jay Hawkins' pervy little love letters.

Also, still waiting to hear about the best magazine in America.

I think my favorite magazine right now is Mojo. But maybe I'm not thinking hard enough about this, and maybe that's not American enough.

There's certainly crossover between cajun and zydeco, but one is a broad cultural folk music (cajun) and the other is a regional dance music style (zydeco).

But that doesn't tell you much when listening to them and figuring out which is which- though I more often hear zydeco translated into English, so I guess that would make it the more "popular" form.

cat fancy.

But that doesn't tell you much when listening to them and figuring out which is which- though I more often hear zydeco translated into English, so I guess that would make it the more "popular" form.

More fiddles? Cajun. Washboards rhythm? Zydeco.

That's my short hand. Zydeco has a particular rhythm too, and cajun can be any number of rhythms (lots of waltzs, though).

cat fancy.

Is this a vote for Best Magazine, or a good way to discern cajun from zydeco?

both.

Arhoolie is the label for zydeco & Cajun. Pick up a compilation or two & go from there. Rounder is another good source for both types. "Zydeco [i.e., Les Haricots] Sont Pas Sale," as Clifton Chenier sang, "The snapbeans aren't salty."

The box set you're going to buy looks pretty great, but it ranges way far afield from zydeco & Cajun, trying to capture the range of New Orleans music -- good luck on that! If you want classic New Orleans R&B hear are some good ones (but keep in mind that to say that this is only scratching the surface is a gross overstatement) in no particular order:

• Allen Toussaint

• The Wild Tchoupitoulas (Mardi Gras Indians backed by the Meters)

• Lee Dorsey (produced by Allen Toussaint, later tracks like "Yes We Can Can" and "Sneaking Sally through the Alley" featuring the Meters")

• Dr. John Gumbo (his personal tour of N.O. R&B)

• These two from Rhino (can't find the great series they released around 1985 or 1986; if you have a turntable & see the records, esp. the one with the purple cover, pounce on them)

And of course Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, Huey Smith, James Booker, the Nevilles, etc., which you can look up on your own. All of which ignores New Orleans jazz (yeah, yeah, I know many of those listed play it occasionally & all have been influenced by it), especially the town's musical 800 lb gorilla, Louis Armstrong. Jelly Roll Morton would no doubt argue that he deserves that title. The city & region's musical contributions are huge.

Here's a good customer list from Amazon.