Swamp Dogg Scratches a New Sonic Itch on ‘Blackgrass’

In the weeks since the release of Cowboy Carter, there have been dozens, possibly hundreds of thinkpieces written about the impact Beyoncé’s album is having on country radio and country music in general. Whether there will be a similar amount of intellectualizing and chin scratching surrounding the release of Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St. is yet to be seen. But the idea of some scholar pontificating the merits of, or hidden meanings behind, say, “Mess Under That Dress” prompts the type of laughter usually reserved for the ribald humor that Swamp Dogg (born Jerry Williams Jr.) is sometimes known for over his long and genuinely unique career.