2007: On The Line

Review of On The Line in WHOLENOTE

Tiina Kiik, Wholenote, Vol. 13, No. 3, Nov 1 - Dec 7 2007

On the Line
Swamperella
Cattail Records CR-003

Swamperella is one of Toronto's favourite Cajun live dance bands, renowned for its toe-tapping and spontaneous performances. This enviable energy has been successfully captured on their third CD release, "On the Line".

Even though almost half of the tracks are the band's arrangements of traditional Cajun compositions, covers such as B. Chavis' Paper in My Shoe elevate the band's status to “authentic” purveyors of the Zydeco style. Band members Soozi Schlanger (vocals, lead fiddle, washboard), Peter Jellard (vocals, button accordions, fiddle), Conny Nowe (acoustic and electric guitars), Rachel Melas (acoustic and electric bass) and Dave Pontello (drums and triangle) really do love what they are playing. The result is a well-rehearsed tight band with a firm grip on a musical style which is not the easiest to master. The biggest surprises are two original songs. Schlanger's vocals on her heart wrenching song Same Old You are unforgettable. Button accordionist Peter Jellard's instrumental Frankenstein is a rhythmical and melodic marvel for the instrument with a superb backing by the rest of the band.

Co-produced by Swamperella and studio genius John Switzer, the sound quality is first rate. It is also good to hear Switzer play bass as a special guest along with Burke Carroll on lap steel and dobro. My only disappointment was the fact that I could not locate the song lyrics that the liner notes stated could be found on the band's website!

The cold weather is coming. Warm yourself up by putting on your dancing shoes and getting “On the Line” with Swamperella.

Review of On The Line in NOW

Jason Keller, NOW, November 8 - 14, 2007, Vol.27, No. 10

It's hard to believe Swamperella singer Soozi Schlanger is a latecomer to Cajun music. The Toronto native discovered her passion at middle age, but sings the genre like she's got gumbo in her blood.

On their third effort, the Gladstone Hotel fixtures keep it party-centric with the jiggy waltz of Bayou Pon and the quick-stepping Zydeco boogie of Chère Ici, Chère Là Bas, where accordionist Peter Jellard takes over energetically on vocals.

However, at 16 songs, On The Line inevitably becomes background music – somewhere after song 11, a plaintive instrumental ode to the Katrina tragedy.

Review of On The Line in L'EXPRESS

(Translated) Dominique Denis, Journal L'Express, September 2007

...Indeed, it’s true that it’s on the stage, when the spotlights go on and the couples hit the dance floor, that you get the full Swamperella effect. So it would be foolish to expect a studio album to fully reflect this synergy.

And yet, ON THE LINE is the product of a well-oiled machine, well-oiled over many years of honing its craft, fluidly steering between Cajun and Zydeco, thus reflecting the dual nature-white and black- of their adopted heritage.

While Corrina Corrina, propelled by a beat that owes more to New Orleans than to the Bayou, sets up for a fiery fiddle solo by Soozi Schlanger , the delightfully primitive Prenez Courage, a tribute to Cleoma Breaux, is an affectionate wink to the Acadian origins of much of the traditional repertoire of Louisiana.And if the group probes this repertoire to extract delightful nuggets (Valse Criminelle), these sit naturally next to Cajunizations of country songs (Arrete pas la Musique is borrowed from George Jones), Swamperella enriches this heritage with their own creations, such as the delightful Same Old You, with its scent of sadness floating somewhere between the Grand Olde Opry and a roadhouse somewhere in the back country of Louisiana.

2004: Black Cat Boogie

Review of Black Cat Boogie in GOLDMINE 

2001: Swamperella

by Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star March 22nd, 2001

Swamperella, which has been partying it up for the past four years in these parts, is about to launch its debut CD, with 15 stomping tracks on its self-titled album.  Three vocalists, who double on other instruments, pound out waltz and two-step tunes in an upbeat manner defying listeners to stay seated.  The spirited singers are Soozi Schlanger, who also plays fiddle, Shelley Zubot (triangle, washboard) and Peter Jellard (fiddle, accordion), while Conny Nowé, veteran of the local alternative music scene, on guitar and Rachel Melas on bass will keep the rhythmic pot stirring...  Formed four years ago and veterans of events like Mardi Gras bashes at the Gladstone, Fem Cabaret at Nightwood Theatre, Lilith Fair, heritage and milk festivals, they're assuredly a fun listen.  The femme quotient makes for fascinating two-part harmonies on the CD - Cajun country isn't exactly a haven for female singers - and the group has no problem incorporating languorous county licks, Celt-style fiddling and a touch of the blues, with most lyrics sung in Louisiana French.  Hot CD spots are "Bosco Stomp," "Blues de Prison," the high-register wails on "La Valse de August Breaux," the springy "Waltz that Finished In The Corner of the House," a flying "Jeunes Filles de la Campagne" and a murky Delta-blues drenched "Sooz Blues," Schlanger coming off like Maria Muldaur.  This is the music of western Louisiana, authentic old-style with a smattering of original material tossed into the southern stew. It's sentimental to be sure, but it pumps with life.

Here's how to get your Swamperella CDs:

Black Cat Boogie, On the Line and Leopard Skin Coat can be downloaded from CD Baby