even a drowning man can float

a fresh swamp tale

hello to all who have made the journey with us to this place in time. it is good to have you here. we have been taken on quite a ride the last few years, haven't we? with all the 'newspeak' being administered to the masses for the effect of producing the appropriate amounts of fear to feed the doom and gloom attitude that has become the norm for much of the population of the USA and at times what seems like the whole of the world. and to this Swamp Dylan says, 'this might be a good time to dance'. so, not slowing down a moment after completing their still pending 3rd release, Bliss Motel, a retooled Swamp Dylan has climbed back into the studio (they really never left) and began working feverishly on what would be a new groove from the Swamp.

the story goes that after holding out for 5 years proceeding the inundation from katrina, Swamp Dylan is finally relenting that the old homestead may have met it's match. with that, Swamp Dylan is opting to relocate the swampy musical distillery to some new uncharted territories.  well, actually truth be told, SD has mapped the entirety of it’s moist and sticky  backyard, over generations, and generations and is just as happy in the southern cyprus with the big gators and rattlers, as they are nestin' up with the wood ducks in the water Hyacinths.

part of the new 'territory' in the Swamp Dylan relocation is that they are abandoning, at least for a season and maybe longer, the song canon of Bob Dylan.  SD has something to say and this time, they want to use their own words in which to say it. so the new record, currently being titled, Even A Drowning Man Can Float (bayou economics), is going to be their first release of original material to date under the name Swamp Dylan. of course, anyone who has heard how Swamp Dylan does what they do, knows that this promises to be an interesting musical ride that even they have very little control over. 'don't know where it's goin' until it gets there'.

with that said, Swamp Dylan could hardly be accused of a band that records happy 'this might be a good time to dance'  kinda songs and actually quite the contrary being true, that Swamp Dylan has gravitated toward the slower musical pulses. choosing arrangements and lyrics usually steeped in pain and solace all at once. always though with a sensibility and compassion born from the organic decaying musical matter which is the swamp.

Swamp Dylan did not abandon their organic roots to explore this new 'territory'. how could any musical carbon life form abandon it’s organic roots? instead SD dug deeper into their musical history and started stirring up a blend of old school roots with street fresh flavors. pouring in judicious amounts of funky bass, rhodes pianos and guitars along with the ever presence of even funkier clavinettes, making up what appears to be a new way to serve a swampy musical gumbo or jambalaya.

so feeling enough time has been spent waiting for the tide to turn, Swamp Dylan has set out to prove that, Even A Drowning Man Can Float, and has decided to release the first 3 tracks of this new exploration without waiting for the complete vision of the project to materialize. with their umbilical's still connected to their respective placentas and the afterbirth not being washed clean for the sake of the squeamish, SD puts it out there and says as always, 'here it is!'

disclaimer: no brains were used in the making of these recording as no thinking was involved. there were many happy stumbles, pit falls and jubilations (i.e. magic) during these early session, as there always is when the muse is allowed to dance. but no brain work! just lots of innate play…

so let your ears have at it and as the totality of the project becomes known, Swamp Dylan will, as always will put it out there, collard greens, grissle and all...

oh yea, enjoy the listening
Swamp Dylan

the fresh swamp players

whitaker caine-smith: vocals, guitars, percussion & production
art frommer: guitars, banjo & dobro
buzzy breland: electric & upright bass
livingston parish: clavinette
kokie everette: drums & percussion
harold bell: percussion
hammond  tickfaw: rhodes piano, hammond organ
king bailey: trumpet, trombone & saxophone
gator hat: turntables & tweaks

 

• gonna have to wake up
  Swamp Dylan - even a drowning man can float
• all the way alive (atwa)
  Swamp Dylan - even a drowning man can float
• keep on talkin
  Swamp Dylan - even a drowning man can float
• you dont even know me
  Swamp Dylan - even a drowning man can float
• life without a story
  Swamp Dylan - even a drowning man can float
• you gonna wanna wannit
  Swamp Dylan - even a drowning man can float