Rhythm ‘N’ Bayous: A Road Map To Louisiana Music DVD Review

In 1999, filmmaker Robert Mugge set out to document a Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame & Museum tour through New Orleans and other parts of southern Louisiana, but got sidetracked by the rich music of that area, and the documentary Rhythm ‘N’ Bayous: A Road Map To Louisiana Music is the wonderful result. It was released on DVD in early 2016.

The film is divided into three main sections. The first section is titled “Part One: Another Country,” and focuses on the music of northern Louisiana. Dr. Michael Luster, the executive director of the Louisiana Folklife Festival, acts as our guide through this section, giving information on the history of music in that area and sharing his passion for it. There are several performances, including a very cool rendition of “Susie Q” by Dale Hawkins, featuring some great stuff on harmonica. This section also gets into gospel with Ever Ready Gospel Singers. The performances up to a point are shot in a concert hall without an audience, which is an interesting choice. But after that, the film takes us outside that hall, and includes a performance of “Prison Song” by Henry Dorsey and Marlon Collum that is shot next to the river. And Rev. Gerald Lewis (a cousin to Jerry Lee Lewis) demonstrates his talent on piano at a music store, singing “I’ll Fly Away,” while getting some help from Kenny Bill Stinton on another piano. But perhaps the most adorable footage from this section is of a gospel radio DJ who seems to read more ad copy than play records. “Have you murdered somebody? Well, don’t feel bad,” she says, reading ad copy from a bail bonds company.

The second section is titled “Spirits In The Night,” and focuses on New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The scene shifts, and so does the music. The film takes us into a pub in Baton Rouge, where Henry Gray & The Hurricanes are performing “Blues Won’t Let Me Take My Rest.” Henry Gray talks a bit about his experience and his craft, which is fantastic, and demonstrates his talent on keys. Taking over as guide for this section of the film is music historian Ben Sandmel. This section also features Henry Butler performing “Deep River” in New Orleans. Butler discusses New Orleans music, and the influence of Professor Longhair. There is also footage of Kermit Ruffins And His Barbecue Swingers, and it is then we get some horns.

The third section, “Music In The Air,” focuses on southwestern Louisiana. Interestingly, this is the longest section of the film (I would have guessed that would have been the New Orleans section). Here we meet Étienne Viator and his family. He talks about how music is part of everyday life in that area. “If you weren’t playing it or singing it, you were dancing to it, and you were loving it,” he says. Deborah-Helen Viator takes us into her workshop where she makes violins, and we are treated to a song by 15-year-old Alida Viator on fiddle and 18-year-old Moise Viator on guitar. There is a lot of joy in the playing of this musical family. Also in this section we learn that Ben Sandmel is the drummer for Hackberry Ramblers. So not just an historian, but a musician as well. Music really is in the blood of the people of this area. This section includes performances by Jambalaya Cajun Band, Warren Storm, Rod Bernard, Nathan And The Zydeco Cha Chas and Rosie Ledet.

Bonus Features

The DVD contains several bonus songs, presented in audio only, with photos of the artists on screen as the songs play. The songs include “My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It” by Claude King, “Little Pig” by Dale Hawkins, “I’m A Woman” by Rosie Ledet, “Diggin’ My Potatoes” by Po’ Henry & Tookie, “Dr. James” by Henry Butler, and “Tante Rosa” by Nathan Williams. Also included, but unrelated to the film, is Bill Morrissey performing “Inside.” Though it really has nothing to do with the film, it’s a great song.

Rhythm ‘N’ Bayous: A Road Map To Louisiana Music was directed by Robert Mugge, and was released on DVD on March 25, 2016 through MVD Visual.