Swamp Dogg Albums (12)
'Give Em' as Little as You Can'
Release Date 6/30/2009
Tracks 12
Label SC1
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'If I Ever Kiss It ... He Can Kiss It Goodbye'
Release Date 4/8/2003
Tracks 12
Label Sdeg
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'The Re-Invention of Swamp Dogg'
Release Date 6/20/2000
Tracks 10
Label S.D.E.G.
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What The Critics Say
Come the 1990s, Swamp Dogg's voice still sounds fine, and he's still singing about racism and promiscuity with some wit. He's still a soul inconoclast, and for some longtime fans, that in itself might be enough to recommend this album. It couldn't be classified among his better releases, though, chiefly because the updated soul backing is sort of leaden. "I've Never Been to Africa (And It's Your Fault"), however, was a strong contender for Song Title of the Month award. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
'I Called for a Rope and They Threw Me a Rock'
Release Date 10/17/1990
Tracks 5
Label Ichiban
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What The Critics Say
By 1989, Jerry Williams was running short on record companies willing to release one Swamp Dogg album before dropping him (which had happened seven times by that point), so he took the logical step of starting his own label, which he kicked off with the memorably titled (even by his standards) I Called for a Rope and They Threw Me a Rock. Clearly working with a lower budget, I Called for A Rope is dominated by wheezing synthesizers and clanky drum machines that lack the soulful force of Swamp Dogg's best studio work, but as a songwriter and singer the man is in fine form on this set. "I'd Lie to You for Your Love" is a hilarious litany of tall tales (and what woman could resist the man who invented gravy?), "Kiss Me, Hit Me, Touch Me" shows he had an impressive understanding of rap for a guy pushing forty, "Come to L.A." beats Randy Newman at his own game of bashing the West Coast, and "Let the Good Times Roll" rocks out with a steady roll. "We Need a Revolution" is a commendable bit of political ranting from a guy who had made it a major career sideline, and "1958" is that rare example of romantic nostalgia without false illusions. The low-budget production on I Called for a Rope often makes it sound more like a set of demos than a proper album, but they're demos for a damn good record, and fans of Swamp Dogg's brilliant if addled world view will want to check it out. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide
'I'm Not Selling Out, I'm Buying In'
Release Date 1/1/1981
Tracks 9
Label Takoma
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What The Critics Say
After years of keeping a low profile, Dogg emerged from out of nowhere with this fine record. Instead of streamlined hard soul, this record carries a rock & roll clout that keeps even its most banal moments ("Wine, Women and Rock 'n' Roll") from terminal tedium. Song title highlight: Dogg's duet with Esther Phillips, "The Love We Got Ain't Worth Two Dead Flies." Kind of says it all, doesn't it. ~ John Dougan, All Music Guide
'Have You Heard This Story?'
Release Date 1/1/1975
Tracks 9
Label Island
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What The Critics Say
In 1975, disco was starting to take over the charts, and perhaps in hope that he might just sell a few records for a change, Jerry Williams (aka Swamp Dogg) kicked off his fifth album, Have You Heard This Story?, with a potent and funky dance groove called "The Mind Does the Dancing While the Body Pulls the Strings" that would have inspired plenty of booty-shaking if the lyrics hadn't been so weird -- which means we're talking about a fairly typical Swamp Dogg album. This time out, Williams delivers a super-sized portion of solid funk and soul with an equal share of eccentric philosophizing on the side as he discusses Jesus before He became a media phenomenon ("When He Was No One"), comes home to find his wife cheating on him with another woman ("Did I Come Back Too Soon [Or Stay Away Too Long]"), shares his experiences with an incompetent physician ("Dr. MLG [JA]"), and laments the sad state of our culture and our nation ("Chewed Up Grass" and "God Ain't Blessing America"). Swamp Dogg's experience as a studio hand is clearly evident; these songs are rooted in tough, sinewy rhythm beds that keep one foot on the dancefloor even as the lyrics head off into the twilight zone, and "I Want a Lifetime of Loving You" and "I Wouldn't Leave Here to Go to Heaven" demonstrate the man could write a straightforward R&B tune when he was of a mind. But as great as the music is, it's Williams' weird but wise broadsides on the world around him that set him apart, and if you've got a taste for his ranting, this will slake your thirst. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide
'Cuffed, Collared and Tagged'
Release Date 1/1/1972
Tracks 10
Label Cream
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What The Critics Say
This UK import, part of a two-fer, features a great band with dynamite lyrics. ~ Richard Pack, All Music Guide
