After 61 years of performing, though not necessarily all in swamp pop, Van Broussard finally called it quits last year.

Since not all of the rest of the world got the memo, the septuagenarian went into the studio to record his final album, hence the title’s underlying message. Other than the reprisal of his biggest hit “Lord I Need Somebody Bad” that’s distinguished here with the steel guitar in the arrangement, the rest are songs Broussard always wanted to cut but never did.

“The Whiffenpoof Song” is the biggest surprise, a sunny stroll and roll that bounces merrily along. It closely follows the 1957 Aaron Neville Specialty Records version except for the couple of out-of-town chords squeezed in on the chorus that makes it momentarily magical.

The surprises continue with the unearthing of Jimmy Donley’s “Woman Gotta Have Her Way” and “Something You Gotta Know” that were learned from a demo tape that had only the verse and chorus, no rides. Surprisingly, Broussard never got around to recording such timeless New Orleans classics as Smiley Lewis’ “Go on Fool” and Fats Domino’s “Let the Four Winds Blow” until now—but given the sharp studio band, these versions aren’t, of course, the ultimate but are enjoyable enough.

The studio band unleashes a dazzling big-band swagger on “Would You” that showcases Michael Broussard, Jr.’s impressive sax work. If there ever was a way to bow out gracefully, this would be it.