Various Artists, The Best of Swamp Pop Classics (Mardis Gras)


Culled from the vaults of Church Point, Louisiana’s, Lanor label, in the words of swamp pop sax great Henry Simineax, this one’s, “half fais do do, half Domino.” Most of these tracks were recorded in the 1960s, the golden era of swamp pop, so you know this one’s got some smoke. The South Louisiana hits here include Charles Mann’s “Red Red Wine” and Elton Anderson’s brilliant, “Life Problems.” Other familiar swamp poppers here include Phil Phillips, Jim Olivier, Rockin’ Sidney and Link Davis, Jr. Yet some of best material here comes from virtual unknowns such as Bill Matte, who recorded the instrumental “Bye Bye Puppy Love,” and Little Victor, whose “Help Me Forget Her” is stirring. If you’ve been collecting any of the Swamp Gold collections on the Jin label, you’ll find this one right up your alley.