Customer Reviews

The Red Stick Ramblers

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These guys are great. Best thing to come from southern Louisiana since gumbo. Put this on and try not to dance!

very, very authentic. It is so enjoyable to hear a young group such as the "Red Stick Ramblers" playing with so much enthusiasm and yet with so much talent. A must for anyone who enjoys original american music!

Red Stick, of Course, is english for Baton Rouge, from whence the band comes..very polular on local scene in BR - Lafayette and New Orleans-- a comer-first CD (will be a collectors item) but not the last.

This album is a little rough compared to their later albums, but I think I can still give it a full five stars since it's good, and they've just gotten better and better. It's easily the best first album I've ever heard.

Please, please, please, reissue this! I don't personally care since I have my copy, but the rest of the music-loving world needs it, too.

I found this collection to be a varied and refreshing grouping of songs. The young musicians demonstrate a keen interest in those artists who influenced them and a willingness to learn from them. In a live performance the bandmembers explained why the music comes from so many different genres, "We play what we like to listen to".
From their cajun and zydeco roots in Louisiana to the western swing of Bob Wills and even some Reinhardt/Grapelli covers they add some original tunes to introduce themselves with this first record.
Well done.

My first introduction to this extremely talented band was three days ago at the Rhytm and Roots festival in R.I. and they blew me away. In a time when "retro" has nothing to do with "authentic talent" this fine group of young musicians stand head and shoulders above the crowd. Their self-labeled "Authentic Cajun Gypsy Swing" style is wonderful amalgemation of the obvious influences of their Louisianna roots. They pay homage, create new and interpret some old songs, styles, artists of their musical heritage as well as their culture. In the process they create on of the most interesting and listenable albums I have heard in a very long time. I have listened and relistened to it over and over and have heard something new and exciting each time.

From Bob Wills "Take Me Back to Tulsa" to traditional two-fiddle and triangle Cajun "Danse Caree" to a beautiful original number "I've Been Alone Before" this is a solid and complete effort throughout all 12 songs. The only thing better than listening to this album is seeing them live. Don't miss the chance if you get it! Great american music!!

. . . then you really need to give this CD a spin. This band has some amazing musicians that give some traditional music a vibrant sound. Great recording and mix. From the liner notes, Michael Doucet writes "From Cajun to Western Swing to Hot Club Jazz, these cultural bohemians bring us a refreshing new chapter to the continual creativity of Louisiana music." I loved it!