Louisiana based Whiskey Bayou Records signs Big Chief Monk Boudreaux to a new album “Bloodstains & Teardrops” produced by Tab Benoit and Rueben Williams, and Grateful Web has the Exclusive Song Premiere “Blues, Blues, Blues.”
From Jamaica to the Swamp! “Bloodstains & Teardrops” by Big Chief Monk Boudreaux will be released May 21, 2021 on Tab Benoit’s Whiskey Bayou Records. Boudreaux is the oldest living Mardi Gras Indian Chief, the elder of elders in a tradition dating back to the 1880s. He is a cultural hero, recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Award, and a well-loved American musical legend. His vast discography includes many records with the Golden Eagles, collaborations with Anders Osborne, Galactic, John Gros and 101 Runners.
Monk’s latest record is a dramatic example of how his method of singing as a Mardi Gras Big Chief can apply to other genres. For this project Monk traveled to Jamaica and back, finding his Reggae groove with the local musicians before returning to Louisiana to finish the record. He had never been to Jamaica before. So, he and manager Rueben Williams went to Jamaica with guitarist Damon Fowler and spent a week looking around Kingston, driving up into the hills to see Bob Marley’s grave and recording with a reggae band and a toasting-style backup vocalist at Tad’s International Limited studio. The six songs Monk cut there reflected the inspiration he got from being in Jamaica and seeing the parallels to his New Orleans home. On his journey from the island to the swamps he is joined by a plethora of music legends including Tab Benoit, Michael Doucet, and Johnny Sansone as well as Jamaican and Louisiana musicians. Back in Louisiana, co-producer Tab Benoit cut additional material at his studio to complete the album. But the lines between blues, swamp music and reggae become blurred as Monk develops his songs.
BLOODSTAINS & TEARDROPS record release celebration will take place Friday May 14 in New Orleans at Zony Mash, with special guests Johnny Sansone and Waylon Thibodeaux.
More Info at bigchiefmonkboudreaux.com
