Customer Reviews

Menagerie: Essential Buckwheat Zydeco

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Zydeco, the black relative of Cajun music, is right up there with Celtic jigs, Indian banghra and belly-dance music when it comes to fun sounds to dance to. Drawing from Cajun and R&B, the harmonic structure of this music is simplistic (and occasionally even mono-chordal), but the focus is on spirit and soul rather than structure. Selections are frequently punctuated by hoots and hollers in both French and English, and spurred on by the frenetic, locomotive-like rhythms of frottoire (a metal rub-board derived from old-fashioned washboards) and drums. In short, these songs have so much energy you can't help but grin and move your feet. The group "Buckwheat Zydeco" features accordionist, pianist and lead vocalist Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr., a protege of Clifton Chenier (who is considered the father of Zydeco). The 10 tracks on "Menagerie" are compiled from Dural's Island Records recordings. For more good, spicy Zydeco, try also the music of Queen Ida and her Bon Temps Zydeco Band.

Crank it up! If you can keep your body still listening to Buckwheat Zydeco, call the undertaker 'cause you're ready to go. An accordion, drums, and a few choice words in French seems to be all Buckwheat needs. The floors will tremble, and you'll feel yourself starting to strut. Frowning? Forget it. This is good time, happy time, feel good music.

The title says it all: The essential Zydeco Collection. Whether your from Beau Bridge or Boston, this album gives you Zydeco with all the energy that there should be.

Without a doubt, a must have for any party! Great tunes throuhout the entire CD!