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Swampwater were a short-lived country-rock band active in the late 60s and early 70s.
In the early 70s Swampwater continued to tour as Linda Ronstadt's backing group, and with her got themselves two TV appearances on The Johnny Cash Show and The Mike Douglas Show (they got to perform two of their own songs on the former). They were then lured away from her to work with Arlo Guthrie. At the same time they got themselves a deal with RCA Records, and released a second self-titled album. It was another solid country-rock effort, with assistance from pianist Glen D. Hardin and guitarist Herb Pederson. Among some strong original material, it had a cover of obscure singer-songwriter Paul Arnoldi's "One Note Man". Another standout track was Gib Guilbeau's "Your Gentle Ways Of Loving Me", which had been recorded by The Byrds back in 1968.
The album garnered good reviews, but the band were never destined to great success. Whilst they were working with Guthrie, guitarist John Beland quit, and before long the band had ceased to exist. Beland began a solo career, and Guilbeau occupied his time with session work before joining The Flying Burrito Brothers in 1975. He also reunited with bassist Thad Maxwell some years later in the short-lived group Sierra.
Swampwater (1970) <|> Reunion (1979)
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Swampwater were a short-lived country-rock band active in the late 60s and early 70s.
Swampwater first came together as a backing group for Linda Ronstant when she first went solo in the late 60s, performing with her on her first national tour. Their first lineup consisted of Cajun fiddler Gib Guilbeau, guitarist John Beland, bassist Eric White and drummer Stan Pratt. Guilbeau had recorded in the 60s as a duo with Gene Parsons, and also played in Nashville West with Parsons, Wayne Moore and guitarist Clarence White. Eric White was Clarence's brother, and they had played bluegrass together years before. Stan Pratt was Guilbeau's brother-in-law.
During their time with Ronstant they recorded their own album for Starday-King Records, which was originally intended to be a Gib Builbeau solo album but soon transformed into a group effort. White dropped out just prior to recording and was replaced by Thad Maxwell on bass (though White did stay on as the band's road manager). Swampwater consisted of some great country-rock notable for spectacular vocal harmonies and a strong Cajun vibe, both through Guilbeau's fiddle and the lyrical imagery - all odes to riverboats, bayou country and Lousiana women. Guilbeau's songwriting was to the fore, and many of his songs (notably "Take A City Bride" and "Big Bayou") would be covered by all sorts of other artists.
|> Swampwater 2 (1971)
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