Reviews

“Get ready for a Louisiana dance party with Swamp Romp. This wonderful collection is created by multi-award winning children’s musician and author Johnette Downing and her three-time Grammy Award winning husband Scott Billington. With Cajun, Dixieland jazz, New Orleans R&B, brass band and Isleño original tunes performed by an all-star cast of musicians, this recording is a tour of Louisiana roots music styles for the entire family. So move the furniture and roll up the rug, it’s time to Swamp Romp!”
From our music judge:
“Swamp Romp succeeds on first listen as Downing and Billington serve up a feast of fun tunes, like “It Wasn’t Me (The Possum Song),” “Mudbug Boogie,” and the title track, for little ones to enjoy. What makes this CD something special is how it delivers a wonderful gumbo of the sounds of New Orleans. Downing and Billington have done a terrific job of involving many of the city’s talented musicians (including the legendary soul singer Irma Thomas) to make this album sound magnificent. Songs touch upon pretty familiar styles, such as Cajun, gospel, and early rock ‘n’ roll ala Fats Domino, but the CD also introduces listeners to lesser-known ones, like the bamboula rhythm and North Mississippi Fife and Drum music. Parents and kids will both want to read the CD’s excellent booklet that explains the songs’ backstories and the various musical styles, as well as telling the origin story of the Po’ Boy sandwich.”
-Nappa Awards Winner 2019

“...a generous gumbo of fifteen original compositions, and a stellar bilingual arrangement of the traditional “J’Ai Vu Loup, Le Renard Et La Belette” (“I Saw the Wolf, the Fox and the Weasel”) sung as a duet with fiddler Joel Savoy and famed accordionist Roddle Romero. Both Cajun and Zydeco styles are explored on such fun songs as “Mudbug Boogie,” the Mambo-infused “It Wasn’t Me (the Possum Song)” and a beautiful duet with the legendary Irma Thomas on the 50s-style doowop of “Poor Worry Anna.” ... a must have for teaching children about the marvelous melting pot of cultures that makes up New Orleans.”
— Lahri Bond, Parents’ Choice

“Johnette Downing’s first family music album collaboration with Grammy winner Scott Billington is a Cajun celebration from beginning to end... Detailed liner notes include background information on each song’s origins as well as some of the album’s guest performers. VERDICT Downing’s latest outing is a toe-tapping, hand-clapping dance party from beginning to end.”
— Veronica de Fazio, School Library Journal

“... a delightful collection of children’s songs that draws heavily from Louisiana and American roots traditions. Most noteworthy, perhaps, are the harmonies between Downing and New Orleans’ own Soul Queen, Irma Thomas, on the doo-wop ‘Poor Worry Anna.’”
— Roger Gatchet, Living Blues

“Its grooves and struts sound classically New Orleans ... a bunch of fun."
~ Zooglobble

Inspired by the music of New Orleans, Swamp Romp is a jubilant, original children's album, created to encapsulate the spirit of a Louisiana dance party. New Orleans native and award- winning musician Johnette Downing has combined her talent with veteran producer Scott Billington to craft a celebration that kids and adults will both enjoy! Highly recommended. The tracks are "Swamp Romp", "Who Got the Baby in the King Cake?", "Mudbug Boogie", "It Wasn't Me (The Possum Song)", "Poor Worry Anna", "J'ai Vu Le Loup, Le Renard et la Belette", "Mississippi River", "Bamboula Rhythm", "Gather Something Sweet", "Your Best Pair of Shoes", "How to Dress a Po' Boy", "Crawfish Etouffee", "Get Ready, Get Set, Let's Groove", "Our Oxcarts", "Stand Up, Jump Up", and "Star in my Sky".  — Children's Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review, Volume 29, Number 1, January 2019

"Swamp Romp is full of talent and intent. There are so many thoughtful details in the production and such a high level of musical ability, with so many great players.  Every track has something special, with deep musicality throughout.”
—John Snyder, Chair, Film and Music Industry Studies, Loyola University, and Grammy-winning producer

"(Johnette Downing) has made tremendous contributions to books and music that celebrate New Orleans and Louisiana." ~ NOLA Family magazine

 "If you’re going down the bayou, you might as well bring along a bunch of top-notch supporting players."
~ GeekDad

"Created by Heather Stanley, the whimsy and joy of the cover art perfectly captures the Louisiana roots music featured on the album."
~ Kids Rhythm and Rock

Have some family-friendly Mardi Gras fun partying to the new kindie rock album Swamp Romp from the musical duo Johnette and Scott. Children's book author Johnette Downing and Grammy winner Scott Billington have teamed up to bring the music of Louisiana's bayous and share some New Orleans flair with children everywhere. Enjoy the laissez les bon temps roulez spirit of New Orleans through the tunes performed on SWAMP ROMP.
– A Geek Daddy

“This outstanding album is a great introduction to youngsters of the sounds and rhythms of Louisiana.”
—Bookworm Bev

“Everyone should listen to this album... a great cast of stellar musicians...”
— David Kunian, Offbeat, New Orleans

“…a jubilant, original children’s album, created to encapsulate the spirit of a Louisiana dance party. Highly recommended.” 
— Children’s Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review