Swamp Dogg

BIOGRAPHY

“I’m coming in on my final approach,” testifies the artist formerly known as Jerry Williams Jr. on the last song of his S-Curve Records debut, the aptly named Swamp Dogg Contemplates the Afterlife (S-Curve Records), highlighted by name checks for Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On the) Dock of the Bay” and Chuck Willis’ “Hang Up My Rock ‘n’ Roll Shoes.”

And while all three of those classic hits were released posthumously at the time, the soon-to-be 84-year-old performer/songwriter/producer/entrepreneur and master musician is very much alive and kicking. Swamp Dogg nailed the landing on an album that makes a case for the man’s Grammy-worthy Americana credentials as a Zelig-like figure in modern music history, equally adept at blues and country – his oft-stated roots -- but also encompassing gospel, funk, soul, R&B, bluegrass and, of course, rock ‘n’ roll. Co-produced by Swamp Dogg with S-Curve founder Steve Greenberg, and the latter’s longtime collaborators Mike Mangini and Sam Hollander, the album’s 10 new tracks feature eight originals and two covers (Jenny Lewis’ “Acid Tongue” and John Prine’s “Please Don’t Bury Me”), and is slated for release on all digital formats June 20 – with vinyl LP and CD to follow. [FULL BIO]