As Linda Ronstadt's backing band through the early '70s, Swampwater cut a couple of justly revered albums, clashing their love of Louisiana with a distinctly Byrdsian country edge, before breaking up in 1972. The bandmembers nevertheless continued orbiting one another as they sessioned for the stars and, in 1979, founders John Beland, Gib Guilbeau, and Thad Maxwell, plus drummer Mickey McGee, reconvened for a Swampwater reunion at L.A.'s Criterion studio. Unreleased for close to a decade, the sensibly titled Reunion finally surfaced on the Italian label Appaloosa in 1987; 16 years on, it reappeared via Akarma, a testament to both the group's seemingly impermeable European following, and the timelessness of their sound. Without ever truly tackling the brilliance of the original group's recordings, Reunion is a tight blending of all the elements that rendered the likes of Nashville Lady, Louisiana Woman, and Take a City Bride such gems -- Middle of Midnight is an aptly named curtain raiser on an album that charges through a dozen characteristic country rockers, and peaks time and again. Bobby Fuller's Let Her Dance is an early standout; Return of the Lonesome Fugitive and Lovin' on the Fault Line are highlights, too. Concluding the album, meanwhile, bonus tracks You and Cheatin' Kind of Love are drawn from the half dozen or so outtakes recorded during the sessions (and previously appeared on the Flying Burrito Brothers' Hollywood Nights album. ~ Dave Thompson, Rovi

1		Middle Oo Midnight
2		Stranded
3		Let Her Dance
4		Spreading Yourself Too Thin
5		Return of the Lonesome Fugitive
6		Mama's Boy
7		She's Only Dancing
8		There'll Never Be No Getting Over You
9		We Knew the Bride
10		Poor Poor Love
11		Lovin' On the Fault Line
12		Away from Home
13		You
14		Cheatin' kind of Love