Chubby Carrier figured it out early in his career: If you’re going to take the zydeco show on the road, you’ve got to appeal to the everyday saloon reveler who could care less about the difference between Clifton Chenier and Boozoo Chavis. Instead, leave the old man’s game at home, keep the party flowing and above all else, ensure that everyone drawing oxygen has a damn good time.

Such a credo also applies to Carrier’s latest that could have easily been titled Father of Fun, named after one of the disc’s many rip-snorting originals. Indeed, Carrier stirs a boiling cauldron here, mixing in cranking swamp funk and blazing southern rock, in addition to his blasting accordion licks (“Sauce Picante Zydeco”). He gets by with a little help from Michael Juan Nunez, who supplies searing guitar riffs in the Sacred Steel gospel tradition on “I Don’t Know What You Come To Do.” On “Bad Bad Girl,” Carrier and Curley Taylor trade not only vocals but solos and good natured banter, egging the other on to try to rip a hotter solo than last.

While the highlights are many, the coolest ruler is the monster grooving “Don’t Tell Lies” with its slippery yet popping horn riffs and four-on-the floor R&B beat. Due to popular demand, there’s also a reworking of three previously recorded tunes including Carrier’s signature, “Who Stole the Hot Sauce.” Intended as bonus tracks but not labeled as such, these arrangements are beefier with a full horn section. Even with a little repeat, the lights never flicker on Carrier’s soiree.