Sing Out! Magazine
Spring 2004
By: Gary von Tersch
Red Stick Ramblers: Bring it on Down

With the exception of fluent upright bassist Eric Frey, the other five talented Ramblers all met and began gigging in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana three years ago. Fiddler Joel Savoy is the eldest son of acclaimed Cajun musicians Marc and Ann Savoy. Lead vocalist/fiddler and on-stage cut-up Linzay Young and guitarist Chas Justus (whose unique style melds gypsy jazz and Cajun blues with sprinkles of bluegrass flat-picking) are joined by gifted mandolinist and songwriter Josh Caffery and drummer Glenn Fields, a versatile veteran of the local music scene.

Their sophomore, self-produced outing (recorded at bucolic Sage Arts Studio in Arlington, Washington) proves a singular mixture of Western Swing, bluegrass, country and western, tradition-inspired originals and spiraling Cajun fiddle songs. Check out "Two Step des Condanmes," with guest Steve Riley on accordion, that began life as an Iry LeJeune waltz and the melancholy "Parting Waltz," borrowed from regional fiddler Cheese Read. Other high spots include the quirky "Main Street Blues," the Bob Wills derived title song (with spiced-up lyrics and added steel guitar, tenor banjo and a hot twin guitar break) and Justus's haunted, introspective "Rattle My Cage." A nearly rockabilly cover of Merle Travis' "16 Tons" and a sweet and lowdown version of Django Reinhardt's shuddering "Blue Drag" also impress.

A solid effort from one of the top young roots bands in the land. Their contagious approach and danceable rhythms prove as tangy and tasty as crawfish etouffe. Recommended.