Over the years, Swallow Records’ Encore Series has unearthed out-of-print treasures to CD but usually it has been artists of legendary stature like Dennis McGee and Sady Courville, Cyprien and Adam Landreneau, Nathan Abshire and Dunice Theriot. Unlike the aforementioned, Joe Warren Cormier doesn’t have as much name recognition and only released one full-length recording in his lifetime. Nonetheless, it still stands up well to any Cajun dancehall recording you care to name.

Cormier first gained notoriety in 1986 with the hit single “’Tit Bec Do” (‘Sweet Little Kiss”). Four years later, he had written enough songs and headed to Lee Lavergne’s Sound Center where this recording was made. Though he reprised “’Tit Bec Do,” the album’s biggest hit was the rollicking “Cinquant Piastres” (A.K.A. 50 bucks and a pick-up truck) that experienced a recent wave of popularity when Bonsoir, Catin cut it last year. Cormier was known for catchy melodies (“C’est Tout Et C’est Bon”) and sentimentally stirring themes like “Merci Pop,” where he thanks his father for everything he gave him.

Though Cormier could drive on accordion and sang in pleasant, projective voice, guest steel guitar ace Junior Martin sometimes carries the load with his riveting rides and offsetting rhythmic action. This reissue was long overdue; fortunately, it happened before Cormier passed away in October, 2007. Based on this, it’s a shame he didn’t leave more recordings behind.