Johnny J & the Hitmen, Louisiana Rockabilly (Blue Viper)

The title of this one pretty much says it all as Johnny J tackles 12 classic rockabilly songs written or performed by Louisiana artists. The album was produced by Shreveport native, Dale Hawkins, who provided the opener, “Bang Bang,” which echoes of the late 1950s. Lake Charles’ Al Ferrier proves to be a big influence here as J tenders true versions of “Yard Dog” and “High Voltage.” Another Lake Charles artist is covered here as J. recycles Larry Hart’s electric “High Voltage.” Of course no CD called Louisiana Rockabilly could overlook the West Bank’s Joe Clay, and there’s a dead-on version of “16 Chicks” here. Johnny J intelligently mines the state’s rockabilly tradition and finds gold all over the state, including Roy Brown’s “Diddi-I-Diddi-O,” “I’m a One Man Woman” (written by Johnny Horton but performed by George Jones) and “Lights Out,” which was penned by a teenage Mac Rebennack. The latest version of the Hitmen (John Veninata and Michael Neyrey) rock, and J gets vintage sound out of his Mexican Tele. A bang-bang release from beginning to end.