Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns, Garde Pas Ca (Totally Swamped Recordings)


When he’s not reviving heart attack victims in the midst of mayhemic gigs, EMT Jamie Bergeron dishes up his signature sonic Southwest Louisiana smorgasbord in heaping portions. Granted, it’s not the purist cup of tea but for a rollicking good-time vibe, it’s hard to beat. Bergeron’s latest imprint capitalizes on popular covers, Adam Hebert’s torqued-up “Pointe Aux Pins” and Belton Richard’s “Give Me Another Chance,” while dispelling the myth whitey can’t play zydeco with Horace Trahan’s “That Butt Thing,” Keith Frank’s “Pieces to My Heart” and the John Delafose-influenced title song. True to form, everything flips upside down with Bergeron in the house. Beau Jocque’s “Chere Allien” is juiced with a reggae thrust; Frank’s “Pieces to My Heart” is re-tooled as classic swamp pop. After a while, it’s like what can’t these Kickers kick? Tearjerkers? Yep, “Put Daddy on the Line” is a reach-for-the-Kleenex-box powerful, personal testimony sung in Bergeron’s almost country radio voice. Comedy bits? They got those too: “Where’s My Woman,” where the real issue becomes dude, where’s my caddy, forget the babe. Shake your tail feathers rock ‘n’ roll? “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” with nail-rattling rides from everybody. The Kickin’ party continues.