The Fabulous Boogie Kings, Never Go Away (Spice Records)

The personnel has changed occasionally, but for 52 years the Boogie Kings have cranked out quality Louisiana swamp pop and blue-eyed soul. Like their previous albums, the Boogie Kings rely heavily on covers, most well-chosen, but not always. The title track is an original, but it’s somewhat awkward and could just as easily been titled, “The Ballad of the Boogie Kings,” as it and the two other original songs tell the history of the group. Things get down to business on “Standing On Shakey Ground” as G.G. Shinn and Gregg Martinez share the microphone. There are a couple of strong Bobby Bland covers including the uptown “Share Your Love,” and the band mines 1970s soul on “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” and “Let’s Just Kiss and Say Goodbye.” On the other hand, “Let the Good Times Roll” and “Sick and Tired” might work on the bandstand, but these songs have been recorded so many times that by now they’re album filler. Unfortunately, the album’s mix is dodgy lacking bottom end, but these guys can really sing and play this stuff. It’s worth investigating if you’re old school.