Offbeat Magazine
New Orleans, LA - October 30, 2003
by Christopher Blagg

You would think a sophomore slump would be inevitable for this highly cherished young band from Baton Rouge. Cajun connoisseurs were not the only ones drooling over the Red Stick Ramblers' self-titled debut. Everyone from Ninth Ward hipsters to LSU frat boys to esteemed musicians like Michael Doucet and Linda Ronstadt were raving about this upstart Cajun swing band. They could do no wrong. With all the increased pressure and heightened expectations, surely their following record would be a let down. Unfortunately for the cynics, Bring It on Down only improves upon their Cajun/Western Swing/Hot Club jazz concoction.

On Bring It On Down, the Red Stick Ramblers wisely chose to continue mining the same territory covered on their debut, with some intriguing twists included to keep listeners on their toes. To describe the Ramblers as a Cajun band would be doing the band a large disservice. On the back cover of the CD sleeve, the aforementioned Ronstadt gushes that the sextet are "crafty songwriters and faithful interpreters of the most authentic Cajun traditions." It seems Ms. Ronstadt hasn't yet heard the new record. The authenticity of the band's take on the Acadian tradition is not in question (fiddler Joel Savoy's genes clear that question up), they just don't display their roots too frequently on the new record. Only two tracks on Bring It On Home could be considered hailing from the Southwest Louisiana tradition. When they do reveal their swampy heritage, as on the dance floor burner "Two Step des Condanmés," with guest Steve Riley applying the accordion alchemy, the results successfully retire the anxious pacing of Iry Lejeune's ghost. Like Corey Harris injecting a modern and hip spirit into the blues, the teetering fate of Cajun music rests on the youthful shoulders of the Red Stick Ramblers. Yes, I realize there are several young bands playing music from Southwestern Louisiana, but none do it with the style, humor and confidence of the Ramblers. More importantly, no other young band has a strong following outside of Lafayette. They don't sound like an obscure field recording to be found on some Smithsonian Folkways compilation, they sound like a gifted band of musicians playing with one foot in their history and the other in the present, and it's damn refreshing to hear. Despite only playing two Cajun tunes on the record (the other being the lovely "Parting Waltz"), Acadiana is well represented in quality rather than quantity.

What becomes apparent in one listen of the new record is the Ramblers' love for Western Swing music, especially the Bob Wills variety. The title track is borrowed from the yelping fiddler from Texas, complete with spunky banjo and a hot pedal steel solo courtesy of guest Terry Huval. The spirit of Wills returns with the rambunctious swing of "Stay All Night" with its shout chorus and Ricky Rees' thumping bass. The Texas swing trio is concluded with the well-known standard "Dinah," a high spirited boogie guaranteed to open the sweat glands.

Bring It On Down also showcases the burgeoning songwriting talents of the group. Their debut relied heavily on traditionals and covers, allowing room for only one original. This time around, the Ramblers come armed with a handful of self-penned tunes to mix in to the fold. Mandolinist Josh Caffery's unique and offbeat tune "Main Street Blues" is a certified keeper. Riding a toe-tapping melody, vocalist Young glides over witty rhymes such as "the promoter's got an odor like a day old floater" with lazy Sunday afternoon ease. Young's own tune "What Do I Do?" is a stroll down Tin Pan Alley highlighting the singer's charming drawl and including a deft, Wes Montgomery-inspired electric guitar solo from Chas Justus. Not all the originals match the highs of the first two, however. Caffery's closing waltz "When the Sugar Cane's Tall" is a little too cute and mannered for its own good, its hand reaching too far into the pool of nostalgia. This would be forgiven if its melody stood out, but the tune sounds labored. Guitarist Chas Justus offers his songwriting debut for the Ramblers with "Rattle My Cage," a melancholic bluegrass tune that temporarily darkens the lively record's spirit. It's not that the song is bad, it's just misplaced. The attempt to crossover into the Appalachian idiom is understandable considering the similar instrumentation, but the song comes off more contrived than natural, its dark mood coming from emulation rather than genuine pathos.

Considering the overall quality and remarkable poise of this release, these few complaints seem miniscule in comparison. All six musicians bring something unique to the table, and their instrumental prowess is top-notch, especially that of guitarist Chas Justus. Bring It On Down marks the maturation of a band that seems destined to take the torch from BeauSoleil as the premier band representing the culture of Southwest Louisiana. That the band is doing so in their own way and on their own terms should worry no one. They'll be around for awhile.