The Austin Chronicle
Austin, TX - January 23, 2004
by Jim Caligiuri
Red Stick Ramblers
Ego's, Jan. 17

Apparently the word is out on Baton Rouge's Red Stick Ramblers. After playing Friday night at the Continental, their Saturday gig at South Congress dive Ego's was beyond packed, and the too-small dance floor was rockin' with the Ramblers' rousing gumbo of traditional Cajun, hot jazz, gypsy music, Western swing, fiddle tunes, and even polka. The Red Stick Ramblers make music that may be old in years, but in the hands of these frequent Austin visitors it sounded freshly minted. The Ramblers' combination of youthful exuberance and admirable musicianship made sure that everyone got their Saturday party night done right. Celebrating the release of their new Bring It on Down, they featured quite a few of the disc's originals, like the dark yet fervent "Main Street Blues" and trad Cajun two-step "When the Sugar Cane's Tall." Yet the sextet, with fiddle player Joel Savoy leading the way, also offered classics rendered true to their original style, arranged and executed in a way that made them sound resoundingly new. That meant songs from Hank Williams, Bob Wills, and Merle Travis bumped up against "Jole Blonde," "Sweet Georgia Brown," and a rendition of "If You're a Viper" that turned into a rabid sing-along. There are some bands in Austin working similar territory (Hot Club of Cowtown comes to mind), but the Red Stick Ramblers' mix of boyish attitude, an imaginative set list, and nearly flawless execution are hard to top.