TOMMY MCLAIN
Direct from Louisiana, 101% pure Swamp Pop with TOMMY McLAIN featuring C.C. ADCOCK.
TOMMY McLAIN is an American Music legend, a Louisiana Music Hall of Famer, and someone who, in his early 70s, found a new international audience as a member of Louisiana supergroup LIL BAND O GOLD, who were the subject of the 2009 documentaryThe Promised Land – A Swamp Pop Journey, who toured here in 2010 and 2012.
Now in his early 80s but sounding as sprightly as he did in his 20s, McLain is coming off the back of an acclaimed solo album – his first in 40 years.
I Ran Down Ever Dream features a duet with Elvis Costello and contributions from Nick Lowe, Ivan Neville, Van Dyke Parks, Tex-Mex legend Augie Myers, Cajun hero Steve Riley and many more.
Tommy McLain is a leading proponent of a style of music known as Swamp Pop. “Swamp” because it comes from the bayous of Louisiana; “Pop” because in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, it was the local pop music. Indeed, McLain was one of the few Swamp Pop artists to have national and international chart success – his 1966 cover of Don Gibson’s Sweet Dreams was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic and saw him touring the States with the likes of The Byrds and the Yardbirds.
Inspired by the New Orleans R&B of Fats Domino, and with deep roots in local Cajun culture, Swamp Pop was a regional Louisiana sensation which extending into adjoining South East Texas. This culture had an influence on other local artists, from bluesmen like Slim Harpo Lazy Lester (and later The Fabulous Thunderbirds) to subsequent swamp-stomping sensation Tony Joe White, and, ultimately, on international artists, from the Rolling Stones to The Band, and from Robert Plant to McLaine’s recent duet partner Elvis Costello.
‘With Tommy, you are going to hear a man singing from his soul, a beautiful, beautiful man. He’s one of the great, great unsung heroes of American vocalising, and he still sounds as good as he did when he did cut Sweet Dreams in 1966.’ – ELVIS COSTELLO.
Tommy McLain will be accompanied on his tour by the producer of I Ran Down Every Dream, guitarist C.C. ADCOCK. While 30 years Tommy’s junior, Adcock is the man put together and led the band Lil Band O Gold, helping McLain and other local legends, including the late great Warren Storm, to all enjoy a late career revival.
11 years since Lil Band O Gold’s last Australian tour, TOMMY McLAIN & C.C. ADCOCK are set to undertake their first Australian tour as a duo this May. Fans can expect the living, breathing embodiment of more than 60 years of classic Swamp Pop.
MAY
17 – THE GREAT CLUB, SYDNEY
with Lozz Benson
24 – BRUNSWICK BALLROOOM, MELBOURNE, VIC
with Opelousas and Mohair Slim
26 - MEMO MUSIC HALL, ST KILDA, VIC
with Opelousas
27 - ARCHIE’S CREEK HOTEL, ARCHIE’S CREEK, VIC
with Loretta Miller and Mohair Slim
Also playing BLUES ON BROADBEACH