Since most of the country is suffering though Winter weather and needs a diversion, it seemed like the right time to revisit indie music of the country persuasion. It’s always a real kick to see what’s available from some of the independent regional outfits that are operating in various parts of the good ole US of A, because a lot of those guys are generating some damn good boot-stompin’ music.
A while back I reviewed a compilation country music album that originated in the Northern California area, and this time around I’m presenting a collection that’s similar in scope but comes from a wa-a-a-y different place. It’s being produced by a company called Jin Records, handled by Flat Town Music in Southern Louisiana, and the name of the album pretty much tells you what it’s about — Swamp Gold Country. (At first glance, you might think that the name should be Swamp Country Gold, but it appears to be a follow-up to an earlier series of albums called just Swamp Gold, so I guess this is the – you know – country version.)
This is solidly performed and mostly traditional country music with just a tang of the bayou, and there are a lot of talented artists represented, even if some of them are still relatively unknown. A few, such as the group Moe-D, who perform the outstanding slow ballad “Bottom Of The Glass”, have had some success and have generated solo albums. Don Rich is another good example, and I really enjoyed “Back In His Arms Again”. Some other solid performances include a pair of delicious songs that relate to the Louisiana offshore oil industry, Tommy Warren’s “Offshore Blues” and “Roughneck Blues” by Al Terry.
I have to confess that I have a soft spot for at least one type of music that hails from that area, which is commonly known as Cajun Country. I’ve made several extended visits through the years and have always thoroughly enjoyed Cajun music, and although most of the songs on this album are traditional country music, a few definitely have a squeeze-box flavor and even some Cajun French lyrics. A couple of examples are Adam Hebert’s “Tomorrow I’ll Be Gone” and one I especially enjoyed, “I Love My Saturday Night”, sung by Jim Olivier. You can almost taste the Étouffée
This album is a good mix of traditional country music, country blues, a little rockabilly, and of course a few Cajun-flavored lagniappes thrown in for good measure. Overall, a lot of good music, and that’s what we’re all about.
Swamp Gold Country (Clips below)
1. Could You Love Me One More Time – Johnnie Allan
2. Hopeless Love Affair – Johnny Webb
3. Close Every Honky Tonk in Town – Norman Wade
4. Tomorrow I’ll Be Gone – Adam Hebert
5. Back in His Arms Again – Don Rich
6. Offshore Blues – Tommy Warren
7. I Dreamed of Momma – Moe-D
8. Mansion on the Hill – Pope Huval
9. Daddy I Still Love You – Moe-D
10. Let’s Go Get Drunk – Johnnie Allan
11. Baby Sister – Norman Wade
12. Bottom of the Glass – Moe-D
13. Roughneck Blues – Al Terry
14. Hank Williams Blues – Norman Wade
15. Secret Meeting Place – Vin Bruce
16. Teach Me to Forget – Rod Bernard
17. We’re Drinking on Leroy – DeWayne Bowman
18. Cry, Cry, Cry – Johnny Webb
19. Our Last Dance – Younger Band
20. I Love My Saturday Night – Jim Olivier
Geezer Music Club 