When the topic of zydeco music comes up, the name that comes most quickly to mind is Buckwheat Zydeco (aka Stanley Dural Jr.). He's done more than anyone else in recent years to popularize this form of Louisiana Creole folk music. Jackpot! is Dural's first studio record in eight years.
This is unadulterated party music. There's no unrequited love here. There's no angst or weltschmertz or any other emotion so black it can only be expressed in German. Instead, it's all about love and celebration. "Do you believe in having a party?" he asks, in song. Dural makes it clear that he's a believer, and he shows up to testify.
The record is filled with Dural's throaty singing and fiery accordion and Hammond B3 work. The songs are propelled by his longtime touring band — the rat-a-tat snare drumming of Gerard St. Julien and the scratchy rub-board stylings of Sir Reginald Master Dural, the boogie bass of Lee Allen Zeno and the twin guitars of Paul "Lil' Buck" Sinegal, and Olivier Scoazec. Together they create a fusion of traditional zydeco with R&B, Tex-Mex and other like-minded styles.
True, the whole thing gets a little repetitive. But this isn't music made for car or iPod consumption. No, the repetition is all about movement and participation.
Performs Thursday, June 16, at the Magic Bag (22920 Woodward, Ferndale; 248-544-3030).
Brian J. Bowe writes about music for Metro Times. Send comments to letters@metrotimes.com.
