WARREN STORM

TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM

2020-01-17

At 82 years old, Warren Storm has more history behind him than in front of him. Fortunately, this stop along the way gives the world another chance to take a taste of the swamp pop that he is generally considered to have created- a steamy mixture of country, cajun, zydeco and New Orleans R & B. Think early CCR and you’ll be in the right book, if not on the right page. Louisiana musician Yvette Landry coaxed Storm into the studio to revisit some of his career highlights such as "Mathilda" and "Prisoner’s Song" as well as some takes on classics by others including CCR’s John Fogerty who guests on his classic "Long As I Can See the Light". With an all-star band including Eric Adcock on piano, Roddie Romero on guitar, Derek Huston on sax, Chris French on bass and Gary Usie on drums plus special guests including Fogerty, Marc Broussard, Sonny Landreth and Willie “Tee” Traham, the stage was set for a fine release and this disc delivers. Storm’s voice shows little signs of his aging as revealed by both ballads such as the Bobby Charles penned "Tennessee Blues" and more upbeat numbers such as the Dave Bartholomew/Fats Domino classic Let the "Four Winds Blow" and his 1956 hits," Mama, Mama, Mama" (where Landry adds some saucy vocals to the mix) and Prisoner’s Song. Merle Haggard’s "My House of Memories" aptly captures the anguish of unshakable loss while the bouncy, sax-driven Troubles, Troubles is musically at odds with the misery and turmoil claimed in the lyrics revealing the loss of his lady isn’t likely as bad as he protests. For those seeking to revisit swamp pop history this is a nice souvenir. For those new to the genre, this is a great introduction. SMITTY

review by Mark