Produced by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) Features guests Sonny Landreth, Warren Haynes, Steve Berlin, JJ Grey, and Trombone Shorty Features five originals and songs made famous by Led Zeppelin, Gov't Mule, Bruce Springsteen, Captain Beefheart, JJ Grey & Mofro.
: Alligator Records has released "LAY YOUR BURDEN DOWN", the stunning label debut from American musical legend, Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural Jr. and his band, Buckwheat Zydeco. The New York Times says, "Stanley 'Buckwheat' Dural leads one of the best bands in America. A down-home and high-powered celebration, meaty and muscular with a fine-tuned sense of dynamics…propulsive rhythms, incendiary performances." The Louisiana accordion and organ master and vocalist recorded the new CD at Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana with Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) producing (as well as leading the horn section). Buckwheat Zydeco celebrates its 30th anniversary with the new CD and a lengthy tour.
"LAY YOUR BURDEN DOWN" is a major release for Buckwheat, and a remarkably conceived album. The album features five original songs and complete reinventions of songs made famous by Led Zeppelin (When The Levee Breaks), Bruce Springsteen (Back In Your Arms), Gov't Mule (Lay Your Burden Down), Captain Beefheart (Too Much Time), and JJ Grey & Mofro (The Wrong Side). Guests on the album include Sonny Landreth, Warren Haynes, Steve Berlin, JJ Grey, and Trombone Shorty. With "LAY YOUR BURDEN DOWN", Buckwheat Zydeco's large and loyal fan base will also welcome a massive influx of new converts.
According to Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer, Buckwheat Zydeco's recording for his label is huge. "Buckwheat is the iconic figure of Louisiana zydeco music worldwide. It's a thrill to bring an artist of this stature to Alligator. More important, he tears it up at every show. His energy level and accordion chops are just amazing, and he's a terrific, soulful singer. And he's no slouch on Hammond organ, either. I'm also excited to reunite Buckwheat with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos as producer. Berlin produced Five Card Stud, one of Buckwheat's finest albums, and we believe Buckwheat's Alligator debut is even better. Also, Buckwheat has been booked for years by Concerted Efforts, a great agency for American roots music."
During the 1990s and 2000s Buckwheat recorded for his own Tomorrow Recordings label (which continues to present favorite recordings from Buckwheat Zydeco as well as Sean Ardoin and Lil' Brian and the Zydeco Travelers) and maintained an extensive touring schedule. With his new relationship with Alligator and "LAY YOUR BURDEN DOWN", his massive instrumental and vocal talents and boundless energy, Buckwheat remains and will continue to be not only the most popular zydeco artist in the world, but will find the largest and most enthusiastic audience of his long and storied career.
Buckwheat Zydeco - Lay Your Burder Down ( Alligator R. )
