Roddie Romero and
the Hub City All-Stars
The La Louisianne Sessions
Octavia Records
visit the band's website
and on myspace
also available on cd baby
This is Roddie Romero’s 5th release but only the second one he claims and it seems the first one for this group, and they come out showing their best with a double disc containing 23 songs and more than 85 minutes of sheer music joy. This is the joyous, infectious, put a smile on your face music of house dances and partying that southwest Louisiana is known for. It is the music of a reviving culture, Cajun, melding with the country music of the prairies and the blues, the solid Zydeco rhythms and the natural rhythms of swamp. It is dark and dusky, and at the same time light and accessible on many different levels. Some of the songs are traditional to the area there are 12 originals that are written by some member or members of the band though Eric Adcock seems to be the band’s main songwriter. These musicians are all accomplished players and play in a variety of other bands that form and move about in that area of the country. You can hear many of these musicians playing in various combinations on the Medicine Show discs that are available at www.TommyCommeaux.org.
Roddie Romero has a good voice that is soulful and is well suited to the material; he is a master of the accordion, and very adapt with slide and acoustic guitar. Eric Adcock’s keyboards, piano, Hammond B3, organ and Wurlitzer add a depth and dimension to the music that is not heard in many bands that play this swampy blend of music, he also lends a hand on the scrubboard. Kyle Herbert on electric and acoustic bass; Dudley Fruge, on drums, percussion, and background vocals; and Michael Juan Nunez on electric guitar and dobro round out the band. There are a large number of guests that help out with filling out the sound, and Lil’ Buck Senegal, electric guitar, Al Berard, mandolin, Theresa Anderson, background vocals, and the tremendous sax work of Pat Breaux stand out. These are good solid discs that put the smile on your face and gets your feet to dancing and chases your cares away. What more could you ask for.