BigAl and the Heavyweights: Hey! Hey! Mardi Gras (Bluziana Records 2664464)

Big Al and the Heavyweights:Hey! Hey! Mardi Gras (Bluziana Records 2664464) Hey! Hey! Mardi Gras is thesecond release for Nashville based Big Al and the Heavyweights. With Louisiananative Albert "Big Al" Lauro on drums and Texan Tim Wagoner on guitarand lead vocals, the music served here is definitely "blues gumbo" (asBig Al calls it). With a mix of styles and guest musicians, this all original CDbrings to mind several well known blues artists such as The Nighthawks andRobert Cray, but throughout they sound like Big Al and the Heavyweights. Theseguys are having fun serving their recipe for the blues and it shows through.Opening with "Bound By Love," an upbeat lament about the dark chainsof love, Big Al lays the rhythm down thick and never lets up. "Wrestlin"comes shufflin' in from Chicago and before you know it, you're down in Louisianawith the lazy title track, "Hey Hey Mardi Gras." With great slideguitar by Tim Wagoner, this song is almost a 'chant' to Mardi Gras and to havinga good time. I know they have fun with "Hey Hey Mardi Gras" when theyplay it live. Slowing down on "Make It Rain," Roguie Ray grinds outlow down harmonica, and gives great support to Tim Wagoner's blue wailing.Changing it up yet again, "Cheatin Blues" reminds me of the AllmanBrother's "Statesboro Blues" and is a real houserocker. It's back tothe bayou for "Cajun Roux." This song is a Cajun 'blues rhumba' withslide guitar from guest Fred James. "Cajun Roux" sort of sums up theirapproach to Hey! Hey! Mardi Gras: take all different kinds of ingredients, mixthem all together, sit back and dig the gumbo. Hey, and that's just the firsthalf of the CD. Throughout all eleven songs, Big Al and Tim Wagoner keep theirsongwriting very solid and consistent, while at the same time, each song isindividual and can stand on it's own. Marty Stein's production is straight aheadand captures the spirit of Hey! Hey! Mardi Gras: eat more crawfish, have aparty, and have a good time! There's just enough spontaneity here to keep itinteresting and fresh each time you here it. Just like good Louisiana gumbo,there's nothin' fancy here, just good food for the soul. -- Pete Barbeck

May 99 Southwest Blues Magazine Blues Review