Swamp Dogg Rides Again

One of America’s most original soul singers, the man who put the funk in R&B’s trunk, is touring again. Swamp Dogg (no relation to Snoop) is playing just a few dates, including a free concert in Brooklyn tomorrow night.

Swamp (bornJerry Williams, Jr.) appeared on Studio 360 a couple of years ago to talk about his unlikely collaboration with author Ben Greenman. He composed an original song called “Please Step Back” for the character Rock Foxx in Greenman’s novel of the same name.

Swamp Dogg’s take on Rock Foxx was only the latest adventure for the pianist who once made a living composing hits for Nashville. He told Kurt Andersen, “If you strip my tracks, and take all the horns away and the funk guitar licks, what you have is a country song.” This from the guy who tore the roof off the sucker with his 1970 dance floor destroyer “Total Destruction To Your Mind.”

Listen to their conversation here:

Fans of this kooky eccentric — see his Rat On! album cover above — never quite know what to expect from the original Doggfather. But this summer a lucky few will get to see for themselves.

Video: Swamp Dogg performing “Total Destruction To Your Mind”