Louisiana Love reminds me why listening to full albums is important as a true music lover. Artists intentionally create songs and place them on the listing to create a storyline, a movement, a universe. I sense that Robin Barnes crafted her debut album Louisiana Love to create movement through southern Louisiana from west to east and through time. Indeed, Robin infused the mystique of her home state into every bit of this album from title to oral traditions to sounds purposefully. She wanted to present this album to her young daughters as a way to preserve the culture that they come from, and this album cannot be washed away like family photos can be gone forever in a flood.
Through 15 pieces, Cajun culture of the central part and Creole culture of the eastern part of southern Louisiana is captured in poetry, spiritual drum rhythms, humming, and call-and-response. "The Waters Remember" is a rhythmic poetic piece that blends into the light-hearted, Cajun-hued title track which evokes thoughts of walking barefoot in the grass at the evening golden hour. Breathing a little bit deeper. This could easily serve as a track to back up tourism advertisements about the state.
The Cajun spirit continues through "Bienvenue," "Eh Ma Belle," and "Va Danse." Being born in Lafayette, I thoroughly enjoy the hot fiddle, rich accordion, and soul-stirring organ accompaniments. Appearances by Dwane Dopsie, Rockin' Dopsie, Jr., Louis Michot, Jourdan Thibodeaux, and Bruce Sunpie Barnes" make for a saucy Zydeco heart that drops you into a busy, old dance hall with a ring of two-steppers going round the dance floor that bounces under your feet.
"Don't Let Go," "A Creole Lullaby," and "Dey Say Run" is where the movement begins, heading out of Cajun country through the pastures and marshes towards the city of New Orleans. But we're not quite in it yet. Jazziness creeps in while fiddle, accordion, and acoustic guitar remains. Rusty Metoyer sings alongside Robin in the first two of these songs, and her children happily join her in the latter. Robin's maternal love is fully displayed in "A Mother's Love" poem. "Home is where your mama lives" states the speaker.
"Hands Up," "Doctah," and "Saw My Baby" are pure New Orleans. Fine artists including Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Big Chief J'Wan Boudreaux, Ivan Neville, and The Soul Rebels provide that true second line sound and groovy funk pockets. Any of these songs could be the next big Carnival anthem. "Hey Na (Iko Iko)" is a reworking of The Dixie Cups' "Iko Iko" featuring the bounce of Big Freedia. I think this is cute especially for young people and kids who would prefer to hear a younger version of the song than the same one heard for decades.
Louisiana Love comes full circle with the final track. "Carry It Forward" is another profound poem. "We are our ancestors," the narrator sings with the ancient drum beat backing him. With so much Louisiana star power, soul, and heritage, Robin Barnes' love letter to the world is stunning.
