Swamp Dogg – Blackgrass: From West Virginia To 125th St

"Not a lot of people talk about the true origins of bluegrass music," muses Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams. "But it came from Black people. The banjo, the washtub, all that stuff started with African Americans. We were playing it before it even had a name."

Swamp Dogg's latest album, Blackgrass: From West Virginia To 125th St, isn't merely a history lesson - it's a musical journey through time and tradition. Produced by Ryan Olson (known for his work with Bon Iver and Poliça) and featuring a stellar ensemble including Noam Pikelny, Sierra Hull, and Jerry Douglas, among others, the collection is a vibrant fusion of past and present. It effortlessly melds folk, roots, country, blues, and soul, reflecting Swamp Dogg's irreverent yet deeply respectful musical ethos.

The album's tracklist is as diverse as its influences, blending new compositions with vintage classics and reimagined R&B and pop hits. Special appearances by artists like Margo Price, Jenny Lewis, Justin Vernon, and the Cactus Blossoms add layers of excitement, but it's Swamp Dogg's 81-year-old voice - imbued with wit, joy, and a touch of melancholy - that truly shines.

"Williams has long been celebrated as a cult figure, sharing his generous appetite for experimentation only among those curious enough to tune in for themselves," wrote Pitchfork. Half a century into his career, Swamp Dogg remains an intrepid musical explorer, defying genre boundaries and redefining artistic conventions.

Swamp Dogg's journey began in the '50s as Little Jerry Williams before his stint as an A&R man for Atlantic Records in the late '60s. His biggest hit, 1970's "Don't Take Her (She's All I Got)," is a country song. Co-written with Gary U.S. Bonds, the track epitomizes the soul-baring, underdog spirit often associated with country music. Initially covered by Freddie North as a pop hit, it soared to No. 2 on the country charts when Johnny Paycheck put his heartfelt spin on it in 1971.