The Red Stick Ramblers, Nick Lowe, Panther...

Here’s to Made in the Shade, a foot-tappin’, energetic standout by the Red Stick Ramblers. Midway through the opening title track, lead vocalist Linzay Young confirms what you already know—you are in a place where Texas swing, Cajun music, and N’awlins jazz mix and mingle (“it comes from Opelousas / and it’s made in the shade”). When he adds that “chances are / my back pocket’s got a little thirst aid”, you have no doubt that beverage is white lightnin’. The Red Stick Ramblers offer you a drink and tug you onto the dance floor.—Mark W. Adams