Big Al & The Heavyweights

Website: www.bigal.net

Hailing from South Louisiana, the Heavyweights have absorbed the rich cultural spirit of the region, from greasy funk to grinding blues mixed with some dance hall bayou soul and infectious zydeco. Their high-energy shows are legendary, and they are a beloved touring band. The Heavyweights has a storied history, and over the years they have featured an impressive lineup of band members and special guests. With the tragic loss of longtime keyboard player and vocalist Wayne Lohr, the band has returned to its original lineup of harmonica, bass, drums and guitar. The current band features drummer/bandleader Big Al Lauro, Guitarist/lead vocalist Marcel Anton, and new members Dangerous Dale Robinson/harmonica and Dennis “the Menace” Cedeno/bass.

While the band is soaring with energy infused from new members, this album is a particularly strong showcase for guitarist/vocalist extraordinaire Marcel Anton. Marcel is a vocalist, composer, guitarist, percussionist, actor, teacher, mystic and poet of Native American and New Orleans Creole descent. The first single “IF” is a minor blues ballad, sung by Anton in the classic bayou soul tradition, his powerful baritone delivering the heart-wrenching tale of lost love and reaching a natural falsetto that recalls some of the region’s masters. Intensity builds after a bridge and a stop as the band modulates into the final chorus, “If you’re gonna let me down, don’t make it easy.” Other early favorite tracks are the high energy “Freight Train” and the Zydeco-flavored “Red Line.”