VA - Swamp Blues
Release Date: 1970 (Reissued July 27, 1997)
Label: Ace Records (CDCHD 661)
An instant classic when it was released as a double LP in the U.K. in 1970 by Mike Vernon's legendary Blue Horizon Records, Swamp Blues isn't technically an Excello Records product, but all of the veteran blues artists included in the set have strong ties to the Louisiana label. Vernon recorded everything included here in Baton Rouge over the course of four hot summer August days in 1970, and ended up breaking the two resulting LPs into a 12-song band set and followed it with a 12-song set that featured these blues artists working solo (in this CD reissue, obviously, the solo sides simply follow the band sides with no break in between). Not as loose and bayou atmospheric as Jay Miller's famous Excello productions, these tracks still have that swamp something going for them, and the whole collection is a wonderful testament to Excello's stable of blues artists. Highlights include Whispering Smith's funky "Cold Black Mare" and his harmonica-and-foot-stomp-accompanied "Baby Please Don't Go," Silas Hogan's wry "Dry Chemical Blues," Arthur "Guitar" Kelley's poignant "How Can I Stay When All I Have Is Gone," and Clarence Edwards' stark and acoustic "Cooling Board." Considered a stone cold classic in Britain, Swamp Blues should be afforded the same pomp it's due in the States. It's that good.--Steve Leggett, AllMusicGuide
A lot has already been said in these pages about the Excello label, both on the quality of its artists and its influence on the on-going development of popular music. Compilations such as No Jive! (CDCHD 652) and Wail Daddy! (CDCHD 653) have opened our eyes to the wealth of sterling, and sometimes startling, blues performances that reside in the company's vaults.
By contrast, Swamp Blues is a brilliantly executed sampling of the vibrant blues scene in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the summer of 1970. Recorded over the course of four hot August days, the sessions were produced by R&B monthly editor and Blue Horizon boss Mike Vernon. In his detailed and informative notes, Mike gives a flavour of the voyage of discovery that people like he, Mike Leadbitter and John Broven and I embarked upon during the 60s. They were exciting times, taking the train up to London to find Guy Stevens' record stall just off Cambridge Circus, where boxes of bright orange Excello 45s tempted the passing populace. Returning home, Mike Vernon & I would incorporate the latest Lightnin' Slim and Lazy Lester songs into the repertoire of our R&B group, which was briefly inflicted upon our South London neighbours. Years later, Mike was able to release albums by Slim and Lester, Slim Harpo, Lonesome Sundown, Silas Hogan and Arthur Gunter on Blue Horizon and it was through that agreement that the Swamp Blues sessions were first mooted and then realised. Ideally, Mike would have liked Lightnin' Slim and Lazy Lester to be present but he was more than happy to bring together Silas Hogan, Whispering Smith, Arthur 'Guitar' Kelley, Clarence Edwards and ex-Howlin' Wolf pianist Henry Gray. Mike's decision to split the sessions between group and solo recordings was undoubtedly the right one. By doing so, he allowed the artists to perform their blues in a decidedly contemporary vein before reaching back into the older styles which had been their formative influences. It's hard to believe nearly 30 years have elapsed since these recordings were made, for gathered here on one CD their immediacy remains intact. --Ace Records
Track Listing:
1. Whispering Smith - Looking The World Over
2. Arthur "Guitar" Kelly - Somebody Stole My Baby And Gone
3. Silas Hogan - Just Give Me Chance
4. Clarence Edwards - Lonesome Bedroom Blues
5. Henry Gray - Can't Last Too Long
6. Whispering Smith - A Thousand Miles From Nowhere
7. Whispering Smith - Deep South Mose
8. Silas Hogan - Dry Chemical BLues
9. Arthur "Guitar" Kelly - How Can I Stay When All I Have Is Gone
10. Clarence Edwards - Let Me Love You Baby
11. Whispering Smith - Cold Black Mare
12. Silas Hogan - I Didn't Tell Her To Leave
13. Clarence Edwards - Cooling Board
14. Whispering Smith - Storm In Texas aka Texas Flood
15. Henry Gray - Gray's Bounce
16. Silas Hogan - Hoo-Doo Blues
17. Henry Gray - Worried Life Blues
18. Clarence Edwards - I Want Somebody
19. Arthur "Guitar" Kelly - I Don't Know Why
20. Silas Hogan - Honey Bee Blues
21. Whispering Smith - Baton Rouge Breakdown
22. Henry Gray - Showers Of Rain
23. Arthur "Guitar" Kelly - Number Ten At The Station And Number Twelve Is On The Road
24. Whispering Smith - Baby Please Don't Go
The swamp blues flood continues!
These tracks are a bit more contemporary than the earlier Excello recordings.
Personal picks: Arthur "Guitar" Kelly - Somebody Stole My Baby And Gone, Silas Hogan - Just Give Me Chance, Clarence Edwards - Lonesome Bedroom Blues, Henry Gray - Gray's Bounce, Henry Gray - Worried Life Blues and Whispering Smith - Baby Please Don't Go.
Enjoy!
|
