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Red Stick Ramblers

My Suitcase Is Always Packed
Release Date: May 19, 2009

The Red Stick Ramblers return on May 19th with My Suitcase Is Always Packed, their fifth album and second for Sugar Hill Records. That rare young roots band that both embodies and transcends their influences, The Red Stick Ramblers continue to hone their unique hybrid of Cajun, honky-tonk, and swing (Western and otherwise) on their most visceral, personal album yet. The eleven new originals (in both English and Cajun French) are structurally daring and lyrically evocative, while still resounding proudly with the echoes of the traditions that inspired them. A pair of vintage Cajun numbers cement the band’s undeniable affection for and mastery of classic Louisiana music.

ALBUM MATERIALS:

    “My Suitcase Is Always Packed” Liner Notes (DOC)

    Album Press Release (DOC)

    Album Biography (DOC)

    Album Cut-By-Cut Discussion - by Linzay Young (DOC)



    Album Cover (300 dpi JPG)

STREAMING TRACKS (with comments by Linzay Young)

    Drinkin’ to You

    Eric came up with this infectious hook not long before we recorded the record. He wrote the chorus first and it had me and Chas both walking around with it stuck in our heads, so the three of us sat down and completed it with some references to some of our favorite juke-box heartbreak hits. Sometimes you just gotta write a song about other songs. We got help on this track from Dave Giegerich on steel.

    Bloodshot Eyes

    A song about the harsh reality of being in love with someone, but knowing that you might eventually strangle one another if you keep it up. Bob Willoughby provides the luscious Rhodes electric piano. “It’s got bars in it!”

    The Barnyard Bachelor

    We wanted to pay homage to jump blues greats like Louis Jordan and Wynonie Harris with this one, with a little Foghorn Leghorn in there for good measure. Thanks to Gary for letting us get all those farm animals in there for the take. I’m sending a check for the carpet cleaning as soon as those royalty checks come in.

PUBLICITY PHOTOS - (click for hi-res) - all photos by Joshua Black Wilkins

WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING:

    RSR Press Kit (PDF)