Cleat Wooley, Here On the Bayou (Independent)

Despite being a Vietnam vet and an actor in the upcoming indie flick Here on the Bayou, Wooley’s biggest claim to fame may be that he’s the only music major graduate of the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College on the swamp pop scene today. Several swamp pop, country, gospel and southern rock originals from his previous release, Cleve & Friends Volume II, are re-mastered here, resulting in a somewhat smoother and tighter sound. He’s improved as a vocalist but should continue to hone his mic technique to avoid an uneven delivery. Of the new songs, “Here on the Bayou,” Wooley’s tune that later christened the aforementioned movie, opens a door of mystery and intrigue but never develops its potential plot. While Wooley holds his own on guitar, his best attribute may be the sincerity that he pours into his songs, and that counts for something.