Much like other R&B and pop music from the ’50s and ’60s, dreams and their dreamers ruled Louisiana’s musical landscape in the mid-twentieth century. Stirring dreams, dreams triggered by emotional unrest and heartache—typically finding form in a man or woman who beguiles the singer—were the meat of these wistful songs.
To listen to all of Paul Dufrene's Country Roads' playlists, visit the collection.
The Mix
This mix caters to that trend and is ushered in by the lost-love longing of teen heart-throb and Baton Rouge native, Jimmy Clanton. Later, Lloyd Price bellows about wild aspirations and heavy dreams, setting precedent for New Orleans flavor that lingers with the timeless sounds of Fats Domino, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, and Tami Lynn. Swamp Pop melodies echo in Charles Mann’s cover of Otis Redding’s “Dreams to Remember,” which plays into a closer with a slow rhythm and hypnotic spoken-and-sung verses that echo a Creole lullaby.
Imagine the men and women from last month, who sang lonesome, tear-speckled tunes about heartbreak and crying. Now imagine these are the same folks, only a month down the line. They aren’t totally recovered, but they are a little bit better. Sure, the loneliness remains but some of these dreams are downright hopeful. It can be said that one of the steps of overcoming Louisiana-style grief is “Soulful Acceptance,” and here we have just that.
Tracklist
Just A Dream — Jimmy Clanton
Heavy Dreams — Lloyd Price
When My Dreamboat Comes Home — Fats Domino
Living In A Dream — Kenny Tibbs and The Jokers
Lost Dreams — The Dukes
Dream Myself A Sweetheart — Clarence “Frogman” Henry
World Of Dreams — Tami Lynn
Dreams to Remember — Charles Mann
Lee's Dream — Shirley and Lee
To follow Platter Playlists on Mixcloud, click here: www.mixcloud.com/PlatterPlaylists.
