Bayou Underground

September 15, 2010

In this part travelog, part music history, and part personal reminiscence, prolific rock writer Thompson (Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell: The Dangerous Glitter of David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Lou Reed) conjures up images of a mythical Louisiana. He uses 18 rock 'n' roll songs as a backdrop to weave a tale of voodoo queens, riverboats, swamps, crocodiles, prostitutes, and pirates. To add flavor, he sprinkles food recipes, such as Alligator Broulettes and Hummingbird Cake, throughout. In some cases--e.g., Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited," the Animals' "The House of the Rising Sun," and Dr. John's "I Walk on Gilded Splinters"--the songs fit perfectly with Thompson's tales of lore. In many other instances, the songs he selects have little or no connection to the chapters and only tangentially illuminate the roots of rock. VERDICT Though Thompson clearly knows his music history, he seems to force his approach on the reader and adds little to the understanding of rock or Louisiana history.--Dave Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle

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