Released in 2013. This track "Ava Magnolia" features Marcella on lead vocals, written and produced by George G. Receli, Terrance Simien on accordion, Kenny Wayne Shephard on lead guitar, Stan Chambers on acoustic guitar & George G. Receli on percussion. This album won the GRAMMY award for Best Regional Roots Album of the Year in January of 2014. It was Terrance's second GRAMMY win since his Live! Worldwide GRAMMY win in 2008.
Released in 2006. This song was written by Terrance Simien and actor Dennis Quaid during the time that the major motion picture The Big Easy was being filmed in New Orleans in the 80's. Terrance can also be seen in The Big Easy. On "Closer To You" Marcella is singing background vocals, it was the second recording she ever sang on, around age 15. You can hear the youthfulness in her voice.
Other guests on Across The Parish Line: Paul Simon, Garth Hudson (of The Band), Marcia Ball, and David Hidalgo (of Los Lobos)
For more on this release and others visit Terrance Simien's website
Released in 2004. Creole for Kidz is a great educational album. Terrance has visited schools and art centers across the globe sharing this History of Zydeco and the Louisiana Creole Culture. In this "Narration" track Donald Cravins Sr. takes us on a journey through a Louisiana Trail Ride. The voices singing and chanting are of Terrance Simien and Marcella Simien (who was 12 years old at the time of recording). The male voice singing in Creole French is Marcella's grandfather Matthew Simien. It was such a special collaboration! This is the first internationally released recording Marcella was ever a part of.
Purchase the album here.
Get the Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco study guide here