This 25-song set collects some of the key tracks from Doug Kershaw's ten albums for Warner Bros. Records. Kershaw recorded for Warner Bros. between 1969 and 1978, a period that saw the Cajun fiddler at his most visible and commercial peak, and if his earlier Hickory sides with his brother Rusty Kershaw seem to have just a bit more of a wild, ragged, and intangible spark, the Warner cuts are the most easily accessible. Kershaw on his game projects an exotic, flamboyant, Louisiana swamp man image as he saws at his fiddle like ...
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This 25-song set collects some of the key tracks from Doug Kershaw's ten albums for Warner Bros. Records. Kershaw recorded for Warner Bros. between 1969 and 1978, a period that saw the Cajun fiddler at his most visible and commercial peak, and if his earlier Hickory sides with his brother Rusty Kershaw seem to have just a bit more of a wild, ragged, and intangible spark, the Warner cuts are the most easily accessible. Kershaw on his game projects an exotic, flamboyant, Louisiana swamp man image as he saws at his fiddle like a loose-limbed scarecrow, and there's no denying the rough power of his music. But this is a man who studied mathematics in college and knows how to play nearly 30 different instruments, so while his Cajun roots are authentic, he is savvy and wise enough to mix more than enough country and pop into his musical gumbo to make it resonate beyond the bayou. Among the highlights here are Kershaw's signature tune, "Louisiana Man," the fun "Diggy Diggy Lo," the irresistible "Cajun Joe (Bully of the Bayou)," the swirling and chiming (and fast) "Mamou Two Step," and a feisty, swampy take on Hank Williams' "Jambalaya," making this collection from Raven Records a nice look at what might be called Doug Kershaw's middle period. Just don't forget to take a look at his Hickory Records output as well. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi
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