It’s almost a curse being the son of a famous musician, especially when yo’ big daddy is the legendary Buckwheat Zydeco, who elevated Zydeco to worldwide prominence. If you don’t measure up, there will be plenty happy to cut you down to size. Sir Reginald Dural understands that but embraced the challenge anyway by assuming the stage name of Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr.
Though Buckwheat, Jr. played in Buckwheat’s band since he was 17 (until the elder’s passing in 2016), he has written songs for years and performed as Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. since 2017; he wanted to ensure the time was right to release his debut album.
By the sounds of it, the time was certainly right. Stylistically, Buckwheat follows in his father’s footsteps by also playing the piano-note accordion, something not as prevalent today. His sturdy, soul-inflected vocals bear an uncanny resemblance to his father’s. Additionally, Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr. surrounds himself with Buckwheat’s Ils Sont Partis alums that include bassist Lee Zeno, drummer Kevin Menard, guitarist Joseph Chavis, and trumpeter Curtis Watson. Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr’s, son Kyle scrapes the rubboard.
Still, as the title New Beginnings suggests, this marks the early stages of Buckwheat’s career as an artist and his turn to make a statement. Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr. didn’t opt for an entire album of Buckwheat covers but instead wrote eight new songs, plus a spoken word tribute to his father. They are the type of songs Buckwheat could have recorded, ensconced in the first-generation style of Zydeco with blues, soul, and R&B influences. Only two tunes, “Fannie Mae” and Clifton Chenier’s entrancing “I’m On The Wonder,” stem from Buckwheat’s repertoire, yet are from his mentor, Chenier, representing a direct lineage to the father of Zydeco.
“Grandma’s Love” is the most touching track, based on when Buckwheat phoned his maternal grandmother about the trials and tribulations of the road and how she would console him. “Hot Foot Zydeco” lives up to its alluring billing, a stomp down that kicks tomorrow into next week. Besides its infectious spirit, Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr.’s Buckwheat-like birdcalls and utterings “I Hear Ya” and “Allons Créole Zydeco ici” add an undeniable live flavor. “Zydeco Girl” is simply Tabasco-torrid, spiced by Zeno’s syncopated roaming bass lines. Just as Buckwheat occasionally jumped on the B-3, so does Buckwheat on the soul-gliding “Traveling Man” that recalls Memphis ’60s stalwarts Booker T. and the M.G.’s.
Engineered by the talented Michael Lockett, the sound is so clear you can crank it up while retaining clarity and your hearing (ya hear me?). With this auspicious debut in hand, Buckwheat Zydeco, Jr. establishes a solid baseline to move forward.
