Search - Doug Kershaw :: Alive & Pickin'/Louisiana Man

One album of Doug Kershaw Live in 1975, the other a 1978 stu

Bradley Olson | Bemidji, MN United States | 08/29/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Doug "Ragin' Cajun" Kershaw's original Warner Bros. albums had never been on CD before Collectables' reissues of "The Cajun Way," "Spanish Moss," "Flip, Flop and Fly," and "The Ragin' Cajun" and this CD on Wounded Bird, a twofer of "Alive and Pickin'," which was recorded live in Atlanta in 1975 and full of the Kershaw style of singing and musicianship and is a great extravaganza, and 1978's "The Louisiana Man," which is a studio album with some traditional cajun songs and lots of mainstream country styled songs and not quite the extravaganza as the live album on this disc, but it is very good nonetheless. As he is much better as a live performer than as a recording artist in the studio although his studio work is great, this disc IS the disc to start with as it contains the bulk of his signature songs live and/or in the studio and flows better than the "Best of" CD that Warner issued in 1989. One track on the live album worthwhile is a medley of "Orange Blossom Special" and "You Are My Sunshine" which Doug performs in the Doug Kershaw style showcasing his fiddling talent."

The obligatory live album and the contractual obligation

Audio Obscurica | Spectrum of Sound | 04/24/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The mid-70's saw a lot of trends unfold in the music business. Certain styles came to the fore that left an indeliable mark on all music. The nation went gaga over disco, and the south, well, decided that was too limp. So, "southern rock" became the Next Big Thing.

Doug Kershaw jumped on the southern rock bandwagon.

"Alive & Pickin'" isn't that bad of an album. Really. "Cajun Stripper" shows that Doug, this time around, can actually handle an accordian somewhat. He even throws in some decent electric violin (I say violin instead of fiddle with great reason), but the overall product leaves a bad taste in your mouth. There's nothing particularly Cajun about the music, it sounds nothing like what Doug had done beforehand (re: the LPs Cajun Way and Spanish Moss, and even the honky fluff that followed in their wake), and it sounds like the backing band is doing a poor man's imitation of the Marshall Tucker Band. On top of that, of course, is that very little of this album is actually live. Much of it was done in the studio, overdubs and edits galore (in that time period, it was common)

Doug went from sounding like a Rebel flag waving bar veteran to a ridiculous Cajun-styled Keith Moon on his next album. Of course, the "Ragin Cajun" album doesn't follow "Alive & Pickin'" on this CD, instead the 1978 album "Louisiana Man" (how many albums bore this title beforehand? Pull out your Rusty & Doug records...) is included.

This album was done to fill up the final slot on his contract with WB. First we start out with the lamest cover of "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)" known to man. Yes, the cover by Gerry & The Pacemakers was taken into account. Doug introduces the track with "To the Cajun land, and to my Cajun people". Two things which no longer gave him the time of day, as the Cajuns would take such as an insult. Yet ANOTHER version of "Louisiana Man" follows, but its not the Shakespearean drama-fest that the version on the "Swamp Grass" album was. Moving on, the question is, "who wants to hear Doug Kershaw cover Randy Newman?", unless you want to hear "Marie", the answer would be no. Then we get a Jesse Winchester tune, in French, and Doug once again shows us how horrible his French speaking is, as he sings the number in Canadian French. Then there's the unspeakable Dylan cover. "Don't try No-Doze"? C'mon Doug! "Just Wanna Feel The Magic" is a nice Mel McDaniel cover and its a contender for best track on the LP. "Hardly Anymore" is MOR while "French Waltz" is just as generic as its title. "If You Don't..." is an upbeat tune with a pumping dance beat and gets old fast. The "Sooner I Go" and "Louisana Sun" were better the first time around, back when Rusty & Doug recorded them in the 60's. The latter track previously appeared on the "Devil's Elbow" album.

Bottom line: Doug is a better showman than a recording artist."

Two Terrific Albums from the Ragin' Cajun

David Miller | Waunakee, WI USA | 03/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you are at all a fan of Cajun country or just a some good fiddlin, then this disc is a real treat. It compiles some of Doug Kershaw's finest work on one disc. Before this, these two records were nearly impossible to find, even on vinyl. When I was growing up, my father had both of these and played them constantly. I was a bit afraid that perhaps my memories were better than the music. But I've listened to this nearly every day since I bought it and can say they hold up remarkably well.



Alive & Pickin' is a recording from a raucous live show in Atlanta in 1974. Kershaw's energy seems unending and his fiddling is the real star here. His Orange Blossom Special medley is a highlight, featuring a blistering fiddle. Favorites Diggy Diggy Lo and Louisiana Man are also featured. The concert recording has no annoying track breaks, so listening to it straight through makes it almost seem like you're there (even though I would've be less than a year old!)



The Lousiana Man I believe is from a few years later and features another recording of Louisiana Man as well as an energetic rendition of Hank William's Jambalaya (On the Bayou). A quality studio album, with a little less emphasis on the fiddle, but a great listen. Of particular interest are a few ballads showcasing Doug's vocal talents, which provide a really nice contrast to some of the more boisterous stuff.



My only quibble would be that the recordings sound more like straight transfers rather than remasters, so the sound comes off a little flat in places. Alive & Pickin' especially suffers a bit from a lack of bass. This is pretty minor, though. The music is still a joy to listen to.

"