Buckwheat Zydeco Albums (17)
'Lay Your Burden Down'
Release Date 5/5/2009
Tracks 11
Label Alligator
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What The Critics Say
Although in some respects Lay Your Burden Down is exactly the kind of record one would expect from Buckwheat Zydeco (Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr.) at this point -- upbeat zydeco dance numbers -- it also has some new and interesting wrinkles, and it's obvious that Dural is reaching for more on this wonderful outing. First, he has reunited with producer Steve Berlin, who produced Dural's strong 1994 album Five Card Stud. And Dural has chosen the songs for this set carefully, bringing in five new original compositions and filling things out with inspired covers of Memphis Minnie's "When the Levee Breaks," Bruce Springsteen's little-known "Back in Your Arms," Gov't Mule's "Lay Your Burden Down," Captain Beefheart's "Too Much Time," and Jimmy Cliff's "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah," all of which are re-imagined brilliantly. Yeah, there is still plenty of zydeco accordion here, and this is still very much a zydeco record, but it reaches further and deeper toward being a larger musical statement, and Lay Your Burden Down ends up being Dural's most accomplished and mature album yet, moving from start to finish like everything belongs together. Nothing misses its mark, and several tracks do so much more than that, including the stomping take on "Levee" that opens this set, the breezy and bouncy reggae-zydeco hybrid version of "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah," (which somehow manages to sound even more upbeat than Cliff's original -- which was pretty upbeat already), and the startling and beautiful "Too Much Time," which redirects Beefheart's original from the 1972 album Clear Spot into a gorgeous, emotionally fulfilling ballad. Buckwheat Zydeco has always been fun, a zydeco dance band guaranteed to get your feet moving, and Dural's live shows are sweaty, funky dance-a-thons, but with Lay Your Burden Down, he has given us something else again, an album that works both at the dance party and still rings clear the next day when maybe it's time to dig deeper and do a little thinking. It's the best kind of musical synthesis. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
'Ils Sont Partis Band: 100% Fortified Zydeco'
Release Date 9/13/2005
Tracks 10
Label Shout! Factory
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What The Critics Say
Buckwheat Zydeco's first studio album since 1997's Trouble doesn't break away from the proven upbeat party groove that the band has perfected since the late '70s, but in a way it does break some new ground with the album's "encore," three tracks during which Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr. sets aside his accordion and returns to his first professional instrument, the Hammond B-3 organ. Dural got his start on the zydeco circuit playing the B-3 in Clifton Chenier's Red Hot Louisiana Band in the mid-'70s, and he's no slouch at the instrument, showing some smooth soul-jazz moves and even paying homage to the great Jimmy Smith on the extended "Buck's Going Uptown" encore track. He also tackles some light reggae on the album's closer, "Buck's Going to Trenchtown," so while Jackpot! is pretty much what you'd expect from Buckwheat Zydeco at this point -- upbeat zydeco dance numbers -- it also has some new and interesting wrinkles. The rocking opener, "I'm Gonna Love You Anyway," sets the party vibe, while the ragged, angular title tune shows how easily Dural walks the line between soulful R&B and zydeco, but it is the jazzy B-3 "encore" tracks that steal the show here. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
'Down Home Live'
Release Date 4/24/2001
Tracks 9
Label Tomorrow Recordings
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What The Critics Say
Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr. returned to his hometown of Lafayette, LA, to celebrate Thanksgiving 2000. The band played a three-hour-plus set of hot zydeco at El Sid O's Zydeco & Blues Club, 73 minutes of which are captured here. Everyone should have as much fun at his or her job as Buckwheat Zydeco does. Relentlessly upbeat, the band puts out a raucous, brassy wall of sound that impels the listener to dance. This is a band who will let no groove go before their time. Though the release includes a scant nine tracks, none is shorter than five and a half minutes and the longest is 13. Dural uses his piano accordion like a handheld orchestra, playing thick chords and rippling riffs. Michael Melchione's stadium rock guitar work would sound out of place if it weren't for the level of intensity maintained by the rest of the band. They bring the pace down only twice on the disc, both times with the only non-Dural-penned tunes. They stroll majestically on Fats Domino's "Walking to New Orleans." They end their set with a heartfelt rendition of the Stones' "Beast of Burden" that sounds like it was written for them. The only drawback to the release is that which plagues many live recordings -- a little too much repetitive stage patter. If listeners can get past that and the feeling of regret over missing the actual concert, Down Home Live will find a place in their party music collection. ~ Peggy Latkovich, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Since 1979, Buckwheat Zydeco has been synonymous with good vibes, party music and zydeco itself. Trouble is far more than just an example of an artist of his reputation coasting on his laurels. This album was originally released in 1997 by Mesa/Atlantic. That release and Mesa's corporate structure were, to say the least, problematic, and it was good fortune that "Buckwheat" Dural was able to retain rights to the master, as it has now been properly released. From the smoking meltdown of "It's So Hard to Stop" to the title track (which is as good as a New Orleans R&B-based dance track as you'll ever hear), this album is easily one of Buckwheat Zydeco's finest efforts. This CD also includes a super-funky version of the Robert Johnson classic "Crossroads," which gives a great new spin on one of the greatest blues-rock warhorses of all time. This record is infectious, fun (like that's new for this band), and one of their most worthwhile discs. ~ Matthew Greenwald, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The debut album from Buckwheat Zydeco, the heir to the late Clifton Chenier's crown. The mood is more relaxed than a lot of his later work, but the technical ability is all present. Instead of the jumping horn sections and flashing accordion work that dominates the majority of the catalog, here there is a collection of deeply blues-based songs. The tone is a little slower and a little more bass-heavy, but the music has the same lump of power in it deep down. That power is based more in emotion than in party-readiness now, though. Those who have heard the prior major-release albums might enjoy this one as a new dimension to Buckwheat's music. On the same note, it's a decently large step from what the average listener might have already heard. The party music here has the same bounce to it, but the instrumentation is different. The non-party music is more prevalent anyway, with some exceptional playing and vocals on the part of the bandmembers, as well as Dural himself. Pick it up for a nice change, but listen to the whole collection for the full picture. ~ Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide
'Choo Choo Boogaloo'
Release Date 8/30/1994
Tracks 26
Label Music for Little People
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What The Critics Say
Take a tour through Creole country aboard the Choo Choo Boogaloo. Zydeco extrordinaire Buckwheat Zydeco has fashioned an appealing children's album that family members of all ages will really enjoy. Material commonly associated with children is represented with such favorites as "Skip to My Lou" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad," among others. Thrown into the mix are some clever and engaging new originals, all with Buckwheat's trademark Cajun sound. This is a delightful and fun-filled introduction to the unique music and customs of the Louisiana bayou. ~ MusD, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
When Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural laces on the accordion, you can bet that it's well past Lawrence Welk's bedtime. On Track is party-time zydeco, the indigenous dance music of southwest Louisiana's black Creoles spiced with contemporary rock, soul, and blues. Dural throws just about everything into the gumbo, from the funky bass and driving horns of "Won't You Let Me Go?" to the bayou lullaby "There Will Always Be Tomorrow." The most soulful version ever of "The Midnight Special" is also well worth checking out. Lovers of down-to-earth, good-time music will find themselves right On Track with Buckwheat's latest. ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This is a good sampling of modern zydeco. ~ Jeff Hannusch, All Music Guide
