Sam Broussard
Geeks
Leaps Records 1101
Released 2000
visit Sams' Website
Was available on louisianaradio, amazon, and cdnow. Amazon states that this item has been discontinued by the manufacturer so try the other sites or get ready to do some searching.
Those of you who are familiar with Sam Broussard’s work with T-Mamou, or Michael Martin Murphey, or the work he has done on the 2 excellent Medicine Show discs, won’t really recognize him here. This is an incarnation of Sam that has been hidden to all but a few friends, Sam as the folk singing songwriter. This is Sam unaccompanied except by Michael Rhodes playing bass on one cut, David Greely playing fiddle on one, and by the Malian Grain Threshers (not identified further). This is not a very cheery look at the world, however it is very stark and right on the money for its view. I think it shows a perspective that reflects the feelings of many in this day and age where we expect our politicians to lie, cheat and steal. It is the honest one who does follow up on his promises that is the anomaly that is specially noted. The disc took some time to grow on me. What initially impressed me and compelled me to keep listening was the music. It often runs contrary to the bleak reality expressed by the thoughts in the song. Sam’s guitar playing had impressed me and it continues to do so here. For instance listen to the acoustic guitar work at the introduction to “I Don’t Care Where You Bury Me”, here the music reflects the grim tone of the song. As he is the cause for “all noises” on this disc, except as previously noted, he is accomplished at coaxing
from the instruments of choice the required sounds to match the music to the mood he is trying to set. This is definitely no peace and love disc, as it is a hard look at the world we live in today, but this is an excellent song writer that knows how to get his point across in clear and concise way. This is a disc that deserves a couple of good hard listens, and you too might have trouble getting it off your play list.
Songs and times – all songs written by Sam Broussard
1. That’s Us – 3:35
2. Servant of the People – 6:07
3. Angel of Mercy – 5:12
4. I Don’t Care Where You Bury Me – 4:34
5. Do the Numbers 3:30
6. Her Comb and Her Perfume – 4:14
7. If I Ever Get Out of This Place – 2:53
8. My Former Shell – 3:39
9. Your Sleeping Face – 4:29
10. Look at me – 4:07
11. I Tremble – 6:02
12. The Geek – 5:49
13. T-Neg - 4:12
14. Ira Visits His Dad – 6:45
15. Screws, Pins and Bolts – 3:35
Musicians –
Sam Broussard – producer and “all noises” except
Michael Rhodes – bass on Angel of Mercy
David Greely – fiddle on T-Neg
The Malian Grain Threshers