Of the 1,378,432 swamp pop compilations on the market—oops, miscount, make that 1,378,433, this one has to be among the best. It’s one of the few that has been organized so that every song neatly dovetails into a theme: the ladies. Though the women in the titles are supposed to be swamp pop sweethearts, few songs here are about romantic nirvana. Instead, Maria guzzles too much tequila; Mathilda, Melinda and Belinda cause too many a tear to be shed, and Shirley Jean’s too mean. While Genevieve is indecisive about her pleading suitor, Alligator Annie slams the whammy on hers. The upbeat zydeco-flavored “Jalapeno Lena” is a reminder of how Rockin’ Sidney could take a few simple words to make up something cool. From the world’s best named musical group, Cookie and the Cupcakes, to the recent Warren Storm-Willie Tee collaboration, this 18-track, six decade-spanning collection truly captures the essence of this Gulf Coast phenomenon, something that the ’60s British Invasion couldn’t totally slay.