Producer and author Yvette Landry has just written a new biography of the “The Godfather of Swamp Pop” Warren Storm with the same title as its musical companion album Taking the World by Storm. Landry is intent on giving Storm more than his fair due in several ways. The album, subtitled A Regional Roots Journey with Godfather of Swamp Pop, was recorded directly to ½” tape, live, just like it was done in the 1950s when Storm made hits that have now become familiar classics. Storm is a drummer and vocalist, not a songwriter but one who put his stamp on many Louisiana tunes, making him a dancehall favorite even until today at age 82.
Storm’s iconic status commands the respect of guests John Fogerty, Marc Broussard, Sonny Landreth and Landry – all top artists. The core band represents some of the region’s best musicians – Eric Adcock (piano), Roddie Romero (guitar), Gary Usie (drums), Chris French (bass), and Derek Huston (sax). Joining them on select cuts were Willie “Tee’ ’Trahan (sax), Richard Comeaux (pedal steel), and Beau Thomas (fiddle). Some of these artists have long performed with Storm and several perform currently in Landry’s band. The Fogerty addition was a new one, and a first for Storm recording “Long as I Can See the Light,” where he sings alongside Fogerty. And, even at his advanced age, Storm still sings powerfully.
Landry had the idea of re-releasing some of Storm’s old recordings to accompany her biography, saying, “With Warren being 82 and still sounding incredible, we made the decision to record a new album. A record like the ones Warren has recorded many times in his career—straight to two-track tape, no digital overdubs, all in the room like in the good old days. LIVE.” Storm, was a multi-genre artist before folks even starting using such terminology. Throughout his 70+ year career, he’s done and continues to record rock n’ roll, R&B, Cajun, country and swamp pop, example of all of them represented in these 11. His first record from 1956 which hit Billboard’s top 100, called “Prisoner’s Song/”Mama, Mama, Mama” is presented here with both songs, Landry adding her vocals to the latter. More recognizable fare appears in “Mathilda,” which features Broussard’s vocals and Landreth’s slide, Bobby Charles’ “Tennessee Blues” with Comeaux and Thomas, the late Dave Bartholomew’s “Let the Four Winds Blow,” Earl King’s “Lonely Nights” and the memorable “Raining in My Heart.”
Understandably the band stayed faithful to the original not only in recording technique but in the approach too, delivering 11 radio-friendly tracks in just 36 minutes. Of course, the solos are economical, but some are especially effective like Huston’s tenor in the opening “Long as I Can See the Light.” 30-year Storm bandmate Trahan’s tenor on “In My Moments of Sorrow” and the combination of Comeaux and Thomas on “Tennessee Blues,” an especially mournful take and perhaps Storm’s best vocal. A careful look again reveals that “Long as I Can See the Light,” “Mathilda” and “Tennessee Blues” were the three not recorded in analog. So, maybe that plays in too. In any case, great songs stand the test of time, especially with Storm as a vocalist and his talented support.
