Various: Rhythm ‘n’ Bluesin’ by the Bayou – Bob Cat StompReviewed by Heikki SuosaloRating: 7/ 10
(CDCHD 1547; 28 tracks, 67 min.) Track listing and sound clips at https://acerecords.co.uk/rhythm-bluesin-by-the-bayou-bop-cat-stomp As Ian Saddler writes in his notes “this collection stems from the vaults of the most innovative record men of the Bayou region – Eddie Shuler, JD Miller, Floyd Soileau, Sam Montel and Huey Meaux.” The tracks were cut in the late 1950s and early 60s and eleven of them are previously unreleased. This actually is the 21st volume in this Bayou series. For the most part the music can be classified as rocking rhythm & blues. For example, I Hear Someone Call My Name by Charles Perrywell & the Fairlanes brings Clyde McPhatter & the Dominoes from the early 1950s to your mind, and Leroy James & His Combo’s Whoa Mule is another energetic shuffle. There are five mid-tempo and as many as nine down-tempo tracks on display, and in the latter category I’d like to bring up a 1962 doowop/fledgling soul ballad called Send for Me by Lester Robertson. Another obvious pick is Sonny Martin’s dreamy version of For Your Precious Love. Zydeco is represented by Thaddeus Declouet on the raucous but muddy Shake it up (All Night long) and Clifton Chenier on It Happened So Fast (1958). Big Chenier on the slow Stand by My Side is Clifton’s uncle. Other more widely recognizable artists include Cookie & the Cupcakes, Prince Charles, Big Walter, Margo White on a cover of Don’t Mess with My Man and the “Toot Toot” Rockin Sidney on the mellow Augustine cut in the late 1950s. (7) © Heikki Suosalo |
