As they sing on the theme song that opens this CD,
the Hackberry Ramblers "play you some music and try to make you smile" with their infectious brand of hoedown music. By and large the Hackberry, Louisiana band succeeds on this album, which features original members Glen Croker (guitar) and
Luderin Darbone (fiddle). Since 1933, they've been blending Cajun, country, and Western swing music with touches of blues and pop. Croker and
Darbone are now in their eighties, but haven't lost their manic energy and taste for get-down party sounds. Besides presenting several of their own compositions, they cover tunes by
Bob Wills,
Ray Price, and
Howlin' Wolf. This CD features guest fiddle by zydeco star
Michael Doucet on four tracks, as well as a guest vocal by country star
Rodney Crowell on "Old Pipeliner."