woodsmeister’s note: I asked my friend and fellow Live365 broadcaster Wayne Greene to break down the Cajun/Zydeco GRAMMY nominations for me. Wayne, aka radiowayne, is a singer/songwriter and in addition to his radiowayne folk and more station, broadcasts the best of Louisiana music at Bienvenue en Louisiane radio.
by Wayne Greene
Having Cajun and zydceco music in the same category is like having country music and rhythm and blues in the same category; it seems sometimes that we are comparing apples and oranges. This year’s five nominees included three primarily Cajun recordings, one primarily zydeco recording, and one recording that well represents both genres.
Alligator Purse – Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet (Yep Roc Records).
Beausoleil has been around since the mid-1970s and should always be considered the front runner. Alligator Purse is a very likeable recording. It is typically full of rousing two-steps from both traditional Cajun, contemporary Cajun, and other contemporary music cajunized. Guest artists include Natalie Merchant and John Sebastian. Cover material includes songs by Bob Dylan, Julie Miller, and J.J. Cale.
Lay Your Burden Down – Buckwheat Zydeco (Alligator Records)
Stanley Dural aka Buckwheat has been around a long time and is considered one of the premiere zydeco performers. However, this recording is primarily a rhythm and blues album. Other than an accordion and an occasional lyric mention of something Louisiana, this could have been recorded anywhere. This album is very accessible to the general public since it is rhythm and blues sung in English. It would be a travesty for Lay Your Buden Down to win this year.
Stripped Down –The Magnolia Sisters (Arhoolie Records)
The latest Magnolia Sisters recording is an absolute delight. It has the feel of visiting some folks in south Louisiana who are sitting around on the porch playing playing folk music. Stripped Down refers to the instrumentation, which is usually a fiddle or two, an accordion and maybe a guitar. The drones of the fiddles bring a swamp voodoo feel to the music. The harmonies are spot on and the musicianship inpeccable. This would be my choice for the award. My track record at chosing winners at the GRAMMY awards, however, is abysmal.
Live at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – The Pine Leaf Boys (MunchMix, Inc)
The Pine Leaf Boys present Cajun music in its best element, live to an enthusiastic audience. The Pine Leaf Boys tackle Cajun music with youthful enthusiasm, thoughtful arrangements, and ability to take very old songs and make them contemporary without losing their roots. The Pine Leaf Boys have been nominated twice before, but should probably be considered a dark horse in this race.
L’Espirit Creole – Cedric Watson et Bijou Creole (Valcour Records)
L’Espirit Creole is a good choice for both Cajun and zydeco on one recording. Cedric Watson has a great feel for the music (both Cajun and zydeco), the older artists and styles, and contemporary rhythms. The recording is a delight and should have a very long shelf life. I would not be disappointed if this one was the winner.
In reading your blog, I have to agree that having both Cajun and Zydeco music in the same category IS like comparing apples and oranges. Although Cajun and Creole Culture (Zydeco) have similar roots, both are great traditions and have distinct styles of music. The selections listed here are not a full representation of the music of Southwest Louisiana, or the number of Cajun and Zydeco artists who have submitted their work for Grammy consideration. Most of us recognize that the Grammy awards does not recognize the achievements of individual rural Cajun and Creole artists, but rather a representation of major record labels and the ability of those record labels to market themselves to a wider audience. But, that’s a different issue.
I had to respond to this article, because I was disappointed in the comments made about Stanley Dural, aka Buckwheat Zydeco, and the music that he represents. You see, Buckwheat Zydeco is not only a front runner and a Premier Zydeco performer. He has played with and has the same musical style (Zydeco w/ a touch of Blues) as the late great King of Zydeco Music, Mr. Clifton Chenier. He has continued to not only champion this style of Zydeco, but still kept it relevant to younger listeners even as Zydeco music continues to evolve.
Not only does Buckwheat represent Zydeco music, he also represents Creole culture. He is known to the world as “the Proudest Creole man alive”. He is….and continues to be true to his Creole people, the traditions and the music. There is not a person more deserving of this award than Buckwheat Zydeco. Especially, for his countless recordings of great Zydeco music. It is not only an insult for you to say that “it would be a travesty” if Buckwheat won the Grammy for his current recording Lay Your Burden Down. It also makes it clear that you have a misunderstanding about the music and culture of Southwest Louisiana. Buckwheat is not only a world class performer; he also continues to give back to his community in the rural parts of Lafayette, Opelousas and surrounding areas via his many contributions to Zydeco music and countless fundraisers for the less fortunate. In Lay your Burden Down (by this way, this is NOT an R&B CD, as suggested, but an aspect of ZYDECO Music in its purest form), Buckwheat expresses the hardships and frustrations that the people of Louisiana have faced, especially during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.
Now I can’t disagree about Cedric Watson. Having known Cedric for some time now, he is a very talented young man and brings the old Creole “La La music” back to life. He has in dreams played with Boisec and Canray, as he has mentioned to me in an interview. He also looks up to and has much respect and admiration for Buckwheat, and others that have paved the way for him to be able to do what he does now.
For the record, Cedric Watson is NOT considered, nor considers himself a Cajun musician. Although Cedric is deserving of this award, it would be an absolute travesty for the entire Zydeco Nation if Buckwheat did not win this much deserved award, not only for Lay Your Burdens Down, but his entire lifetime of work. I hope to be there on the evening of January 31, 2010; and be able to capture this moment to share with the world, because Buckwheat Zydeco will continue to represent Zydeco Music in its purest form.
Whether Buckwheat wins a Grammy or not, he is a direct link to the roots of the music and continues to be an example of the resilience of Creole Culture.
He is a Champion in our eyes!
Lola Love
http://www.ZydecoOnline.com
If Buckwheat does not win the grammy it will be a set back. The up and comming musicions down here in south Louisiana will feel that if the best(Buckwheat) can not be reconized then why me. Also three of the bands are the same from last year and twice the amount of albums submitted. I will be in La chering Buckwheat on.
I was so excited to see the hard work of The Magnolia Sisters. I was so proud to know some of my kinfolk in Louisiana were nominated.
Reporting all the way LIVE from Los Angeles, California (The Grammy Award Ceremony).
Lola Love http://www.ZydecoOnline.com
Buckwheat Zydeco Wins 2009 Grammy Award!
http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=368
Mr. Stanley Dural Jr., known to the Zydeco Nation and the world as “Buckwheat Zydeco” and leader of the Zydeco outfit “Buckwheat Zydeco and the Ils Sont Partis Band” was awarded the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Zydeco/Cajun Album for his CD entitled “Lay Your Burden Down.”
Although this is Buckwheat Zydeco’s first Grammy Award and the third year the mainstream Grammy Recording Academy has recognized Zydeco and Cajun Music as a separate and distinct category, Buckwheat Zydeco’s illustrious musical career spans over thirty years and has impacted, defined, and influenced Zydeco Music as well as exposed Zydeco music and the black Creole Culture of Southwest Louisiana and Texas to the world.
CONGRATULATIONS To Buckwheat Zydeco!!!!
Check out the full article & interview here: http://www.zydecoonline.com/dev/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=368
Lola Love
“Zydeco Lady”
http://www.ZydecoOnline.com