Blues

Lightnin' Slim - I'm A Rolling Stone: Louisiana Swamp Blues The Singles As & Bs 1954-1962 (2016)

2017-03-29T13:34:22Z

Lightnin' Slim - I'm A Rolling Stone: Louisiana Swamp Blues The Singles As & Bs 1954-1962 (2016)

CD 1:
01. Rock Me Mama (2:44)
02. Bad Luck (2:57)
03. I Can't Live Happy (2:59)
04. New Orleans Bound (2:48)
05. Bad Luck (3:13)
06. Bugger Bugger Boy (2:05)
07. Lightnin' Slim Boogie (2:33)
08. Bad Feeling Blues (2:57)
09. Lightnin' Blues (2:57)
10. I Can't Be Successful (3:02)
11. Sugar Plum (2:48)
12. Just Made Twenty One (2:08)
13. Goin' Home (2:38)
14. Wonderin' And Goin' (2:52)
15. Bad Luck And Trouble (2:53)
16. Have Your Way (2:36)
17. Mean Ol' Lonesome Train (3:09)
18. I'm Grown (2:47)
19. I'm A Rollin' Stone (2:23)
20. Love Me Mama (2:28)
21. Hoo Doo Blues (2:21)
22. It's Mighty Crazy (2:37)

CD 2:
01. My Starter Won't Work (2:48)
02. Long Leanie Mama (2:05)
03. Feelin' Awful Blues (2:55)
04. I'm Leavin' You Baby (2:26)
05. Sweet Little Woman (2:12)
06. Lightnin's Troubles (2:39)
07. Rooster Blues (2:30)
08. G.I. Slim (2:24)
09. Tom Cat Blues (2:41)
10. Bed Bug Blues (2:33)
11. Too Close Blues (1:58)
12. My Little Angel Child (2:41)
13. Cool Down Baby (2:11)
14. Nothin' But The Devil (2:57)
15. I Just Don't Know (2:10)
16. Somebody Knockin' (3:04)
17. I'm Tired Waitin' Baby (2:44)
18. Hello Mary Lee (2:44)
19. Mind Your Own Business (2:17)
20. You're Old Enough To Understand (2:44)
21. I'm Warning You Baby (2:07)
22. Winter Time Blues (2:40)

Bass – Bobby McBride
Drums [Perhaps] – Sammy Drake
Drums –  Clarence "Jockey" Etienne, Roosevelt Samples, Kenneth "Sam" Sample, Warren Storm, Ray 'Diggy Do' Meaders
Harmonica – Lazy Lester, Schoolboy Cleve, Wild Bill Phillips
Piano – Sonny Martin
Vocals, Guitar – Ligthnin' Slim
Vocals, Harmonica – Cleve White
Drums, Percussion [Probably] – Vince Monroe

A much loved purveyor of the real Louisiana swamp blues, Lightnin' Slim's body of work in no doubt defines the subgenre like no other.

This is the first time his singles have been compiled in one package and provide a unique opportunity to hear the progression of his music in chronological order just as the tracks would have appeared on jukeboxes and radio stations across Louisiana.

Most tracks feature the harmonica support of Lazy Lester and of course no Lightnin' Slim track should be without his exhortation 'Blow your harmonica, son' which has become something of a blues catchphrase.

So if you like loose rolling rhythms and just plain good blues music then look no further than this superb 2CD set from Jasmine. --- jasmine-records.co.uk

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Lightnin’ Slim & Whispering Smith – Live in Europe (1973)

2013-07-03T15:08:04Z

Lightnin’ Slim & Whispering Smith – Live in Europe (1973)


01 Lonesome Cabin Blues
02 My Starter Won't Work
03 Just Imagination
04 Caress Me Baby
05 Baby What You Want MeTo Do
06 I Want You To Love Me
07 You Got Me Dizzy
08 Nobody Loves Me But My Mother
09 Storm in Texas
10 Got My Mojo Working
11 Wintertime Blues
12 Take Me Back Baby
13 Texas Flood
14 Love Bug
15 Walking in The Park

Musicians:
Lightnin' Slim – guitar, vocals
Moses "Whispering" Smith – harmonica, vocals
+
Jimmy Dawkins – guitar
W.D. Kent – bass
Billy Davenport – drums
Boogie Woogie Red – piano
Roger Hill – bass
Tom Farnell - drums

Lightnin' Slim was born Otis V. Hicks in St. Louis, Missouri. moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the age of thirteen. Taught guitar by his older brother Layfield, Slim was playing in bars in Baton Rouge by the late 1940s.

He debuted on J. D. "Jay" Miller's Feature Records label in 1954 with "Bad Luck Blues" ("If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all"). Slim then recorded for Excello Records for twelve years, starting in the mid 1950s, often collaborating with his brother-in-law, Slim Harpo and with harmonica player Lazy Lester. Slim took time off from the blues for a period of time and ended up working in a foundry in Pontiac, Michigan which resulted in him suffering from constantly having his hands exposed to high temperatures. He was re-discovered by Fred Reif in 1970, in Pontiac, where he was living in a rented room at Slim Harpo's sister's house. Reif soon got him back performing again and a new recording contract with Excello, this time through Bud Howell, the present President of the company. His first gig was a reunion concert at the 1971 University of Chicago Folk Festival with Lazy Lester, whom Reif had brought from Baton Rouge in January 1971.

In the 1970s, Slim performed on tours in Europe, both in the United Kingdom and at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland where he was often accompanied by Moses "Whispering" Smith on harmonica. He last toured the UK in 1973, with the American Blues Legends package.

In July 1974, Slim died of stomach cancer in Detroit, Michigan, aged 61. Slim has been cited as a major influence by several contemporary blues artists, including Captain Beefheart, who in a 1987 radio interview with Kristine McKenna, stated that Lightnin' Slim was the only artist he could recommend somebody listening to.

Moses "Whispering" Smith (January 25, 1932 – April 28, 1984) was an American blues harmonicist and singer. He recorded tracks including "A Thousand Miles from Nowhere" and "Texas Flood", and worked with both Lightnin' Slim and Silas Hogan. He was inducted into the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame.

Smith was born in Union Church, Mississippi. In the 1960s, Smith's harmonica playing accompanied recordings by swamp blues notables Lightnin' Slim and Silas Hogan, before he was able to record some tracks of his own making. At this time he worked alongside the Crowley, Louisiana based record producer, J. D. "Jay" Miller, and his output was released by Excello Records. His singles included "Mean Woman Blues", "I Tried So Hard", and "Don't Leave Me", plus the instrumental tracks "Live Jive" and "Hound Dog Twist".

Although he was a powerful singer, and a straight but unsophisicated harmonica player, his potential was diminished by appearing at the back end of the swamp blues period. He recorded his final album for Excello in 1970. Whispering Smith died in April 1984 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the age of 52.

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Lightnin' Slim - King Of The Louisiana Swamp Blues (1997)

2013-05-12T16:21:03Z

Lightnin' Slim - King Of The Louisiana Swamp Blues (1997)


1. Bad Luck Blues
2. GI Blues
3. My Babe
4. The Things I Used To Do
5. Voodoo Blues
6. Crazy 'Bout You Baby
7. That's All Right
8. Good Morning Heartache
9. Rooster Blues
10. Oh Baby

Drums – Kenneth ´Sam´ Sample (tracks: 17), Ray ´Diggy Bo´ Meaders (tracks: 1 to 5), Sammy Drake (tracks: 6 to 11)
Harmonica – Lazy Lester (tracks: 12 to 20)
Harmonica, Vocals – Schoolboy Cleve (tracks: 9 to 11), Wild Bill Phillips (tracks: 4)
Vocals, Guitar – Lightnin´ Slim

Lightnin' Slim (Otis Hicks), born March 13, 1913, near St. Louis, Missouri, moved with his family as a small child to the banks of the Mississippi River region, and lived at St. Francisville, La., where he was raised. His father, a sharecropper, died at an early age, and Otis became a field hand to help his family get by. He got into trouble with the law, and spent ten years in the penitentiary, and it wasn't until 1948, at the age of 35, that he began to play the guitar in public.

He was first discovered by local DJ "Diggy Do", in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he had moved sometime in the 1940's, and at that time was said to play 'a great unspoiled slow country blues', that was a 'lowdown' style learnt from field laborers, and his time in the penitentiary. These work songs were his major influence and came to define his style sung with his memorable deep voice, over simple country blues guitar lines. He began recording in 1954, for J D Miller's Feature label, which previously had shown little interest in the blues, and his early releases were described by "Cashbox Magazine" as "straight from the swamps", as a way of describing his down-home primitive style. His first recording "Bad Luck Blues" was very important, as it captured the raw swamp blues sound that had been popular in Louisiana for some years, for the first time, and not only influenced, but opened the doors to the other Baton Rouge swamp bluesmen Lazy Lester (Slim's recording partner), Slim Harpo, Silas Hogan etc. His most successful recording was "Rooster Blues" (No 23 R&B charts 1959).

Lightnin' Slim was known as the "King of the Blues" in Louisiana, having influenced everybody. Along with his originals such as "Bad Luck Blues", "Rooster Blues", "Voodoo Blues" & "GI Slim Blues" that appear on this recording, Slim who played widely throughout the south, was also known for his ability to take material from other bluesmen, such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Guitar Slim etc., and turn their songs into something completely his own. Lightnin' Slim's recording career went through the mid 60's, at which time he left the civil rights movement troubled south, and moved to Detroit. He began touring Europe, playing festivals and recording there. Lightnin' Slim died of cancer on July 27, 1974. ---dee2records.com

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Lightnin' Slim - Nothing But The Devil (1996)

2013-05-09T16:10:24Z

Lightnin' Slim - Nothing But The Devil (1996)


1. Long Leanie Mama
2. My Starter Won't Work (Alt Take)
3. It's Mighty Crazy (Alt Take)
4. Blues At Night
5. I'm Leavin' You Baby (Alt Take)
6. Feelin' Awful Blue
7. Sweet Little Woman (Alt Take)
8. Lightnin's Troubles
9. I Gonna Leave
10. Rooster Blues (Alt Take)
11. G.I. Slim
12. Driftin Blues
13. Too Close Blues
14. My Little Angel Child
15. Greyhound Blues
16. I Just Don't Know
17. Somebody Knockin'
18. Just A Lonely Stranger
19. Cool Down Baby
20. Nothin' But The Devil
21. Goin' Away Blues
22. I'm Tired Waitin' Baby
23. Death Valley Blues
24. Hello Mary Lee

Lightnin' Slim (vocals, guitar); 
Lazy Lester (harmonica).

This 24-song collection undoubtedly overlaps with some of the U.S.-issued Excello material -- including the same alternate takes of "Rooster Blues" and "It's Mighty Crazy" -- but there's just enough that they don't share to make this worth a look, if not a purchase, by owners of the U.S. material. The sound, as is usual with Ace, is excellent, and the stuff is worthy of inclusion with the best of Slim's work. Among the best tracks here are two outtakes unique to this set at this time, "I'm Leavin' You Baby," on which Slim steps over into Howlin' Wolf territory ("Moanin' at Midnight," etc.), and "Sweet Little Woman," where he crosses swords with Sonny Boy Williamson II. ---Bruce Eder, allmusic.com

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Lightnin’ Slim – Blue Lightning (1992)

2011-05-31T08:39:38Z

Lightnin’ Slim – Blue Lightning (1992)


01. Mama Talk To Your Daughter (4:23)
02. My Baby Left Me This Morning (3:52)
03. It's Mighty Crazy (3:15)
04. Caress Me Baby (5:16)
05. I Love You Baby (3:10)			play
06. The Sky Is Crying (6:26)
07. G.I. Slim (3:15)
08. Help Me Spend My Gold (3:04)
09. My Little Angel Chile (4:19)
10. Too Close Blues (4:03)			play
11. I Want You To Love Me (6:42)
12. Bed Bug Blues (4:03)
13. I'm Tired Waitin' Baby (3:51)
14. Ah'w Baby (4:48 )

Lightnin' Slim - Guitar & Vocals 
Laurie Garman - Harmonica
Pete Wingfield - Piano 
Paul Butler - Guitar 
Rick Hayward - Guitar 
John Best - Bass Guitar 
Kenny Lamb - Drums

Recorded at The Marquee Club, London, 1972

Lightnin' Slim (born, Otis Hicks, 1913-1974), was an American blues musician (the acknowledged kingpin of the Louisiana school of blues). Lightnin' Slim moved from Missouri (where he was born) to Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the age of thirteen. Taught guitar by his older brother Layfield, Slim was playing in bars in Baton Rouge by the late 1940s. He debuted on J. D. 'Jay' Miller's Feature Records label in 1954 with 'Bad Luck' ('If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all'). Slim then recorded for Excello Records for twelve years, starting in the mid 1950s, often collaborating with his brother-in-law, Slim Harpo and with harmonica player Lazy Lester.

In the 1970s Slim performed on tours in Europe, both in the United Kingdom and at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, where he was often accompanied by Moses 'Whispering' Smith on harmonica. Blue Lightning is one of his European albums and one of his last. He is playing on stage in London, in the early '70s, and is backed up by one outstanding band! The harp player, is nothing short of excellent, and Lightnins' little asides between the songs, make you feel like you know the guy. This is not one of these 'sessions', where the blues singer goes overseas and is playing with a bunch of rock musicians, but rather a live performance, in a theatre in London, UK.

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Lightnin’ Slim – Winter Time Blues (2002)

2010-09-22T20:03:36Z

Lightnin’ Slim – Winter Time Blues (2002)


1.	Mind Your Own Business
2.	Winter Time Blues
3.	Bad Luck Is Falling
4.	I´m Warning You Baby
5.	You´re Old Enough To Understand
6.	I´m Evil
7.	If You Ever Need Me
8.	Lonely Stranger Aka Rocky Mountain Blues
9.	You Give Me The Blues
10.	You Know You´re So Fine
11.	Don´t Mistreat Me Baby
12.	You Move Me Baby
13.	The Strangest Feelin´
14.	Lonesome Cabin Blues
15.	Don´t Start Me Talkin´ (Alt Take)  play
16.	I Hate To See You Leave
17.	Sittin´ And Thinkin´
18.	Darlin´ You´re The One
19.	Baby Please Come Back (Alt Take)
20.	I Been A Fool For You Darlin´
21.	Can´t Life This Life No More
22.	I Can Hear My Baby Calling
23.	A Stranger In Town
24.	Bad Luck Blues                        play

Vocals, Guitar – Lightnin' Slim

Winter Time Blues collects some of Lightnin' Slim's later singles for the Excello label, and while it might be hard to believe, these tracks sound positively lush when placed next to his earlier sides. Not that anything here is too fancy, but these songs at least have recorded basslines (the early singles were just Slim on electric guitar and vocals, accompanied by a drummer and a harmonica player, usually Lazy Lester) and the occasional added wash of an organ for texture. Truthfully, part of Slim's appeal is his nerve-bare starkness, and these later tracks show less of that, although the chilling bayou voodoo of "I'm Evil," included here, makes it one of his most powerful songs. ---Steve Leggett, allmusic.com

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Lightnin’ Slim – Rooster Blues (1987)

2010-09-04T17:27:23Z

Lightnin’ Slim – Rooster Blues (1987)


1 Rooster Blues 2:33
2 Long Leanie Mama  2:10
3 My Starter Won't Work 2:50
4 G.I. Slim 2:29
5 Lightnin's Troubles 2:35
6 Bed Bug Blues 2:42
7 Hoo Doo Blues 2:20
8 It's Mighty Crazy 2:38
9 Sweet Little Woman 2:08
10 Tom Cat Blues 2:44
11 Feelin' Awful Blues 2:58
12 I'm Leavin' You Baby 2:28
13 Lightnin's Blues  3:02
14 Just Made Twenty One  2:15
15 Sugar Plum  2:47

    * Monroe Vincent - Percussion
    * Tal Miller - Piano
    * Roosevelt Semple - Drums
    * Clarence "Jockey" Etinne - Drums
    * Kenneth "Sam" Sample - Drums
    * Warren Storm - Drums
    * Guitar Gable -  Guitar
    * Slim Harpo - Harmonica
    * Lazy Lester - Harmonica
    * Lightnin' Slim - Guitar, Vocals

When people talk about Louisiana swamp blues, this is what they're talking about. Excello Records' first foray into albums came with this wonderful collection of singles by Lightnin' Slim largely issued around the success of the title track, an R&B hit in 1960. "Long Leanie Mama," "My Starter Won't Work," "It's Mighty Crazy," "Hoo-Doo Blues," "Tom Cat Blues," "Lightnin' Troubles," "G.I. Slim" and "Feelin' Awful Blues" are all certified swamp blues classics and about as lowdown as the genre can get possibly get. With Lazy Lester on harmonica for the majority of the tracks here, the stripped-down approach to Slim's brand of blues casts these sides in a decidedly front-porch ambience with the added pulsating tape echo and oddball percussive effects just making everything on here sound even more doom-laden. "Lightnin's Blues," the John Lee Hooker-inspired "Just Made Twenty One" and "Sugar Plum," the A-side and both sides of his first and third singles for Excello, are the three bonus CD tracks appended to the original track lineup on this 1998 CD reissue. An essential blues purchase. ---AllMusic Reviews

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Lightnin Slim - Rooster Blues – Bell Ringer 1987

2010-08-31T11:55:16Z

Lightnin' Slim - Bell Ringer (1965)


1.Love Me Mama 	2:30 	
2.She's My Crazy Little Baby 	2:38 	
3.Have Mercy On Me Baby 	2:16 	
4.Wintertime Blues 	2:37 	
5.If You Ever Need Me 	3:04 	
6.Mean Ole Lonesome Train 	2:57 	
7.Baby Please Come Back 	2:29 	
8.Love Is Just A Gamble 	2:45 	
9.Somebody Knockin' 	3:02 	
10.You Give Me The Blues 	2:42 	
11.Don't Start Me Talkin' 	2:40 	
12.You Move Me Baby 	2:29 	
13.Bad Luck And Trouble  2:59
14. Have You Way  2:41
15. I'm Grown  2:52
16. I'm A Rollin' Stone  2:29
17. Too Close Blues   2:03
18. My Little Angel Child  2:45
19. Cool Down Baby  2:19
20. Nothing But The Devil  2:59

Musicians:
Austin Broussard  - Drums
Al Foreman  - Guitar
Lightnin' Slim - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals
Bobby McBride - Guitar
Warren Storm - Drums
Rufus Thibodeaux - Bass

Superb early Slim Excello material. He never sang with more clarity or conviction, nor did his harmonica or guitar playing ever sound more electrifying than on these songs, many of which were popular singles. Other than Rice Miller's (Sonny Boy Williamson II) definitive anthem, Slim's rendition of "Don't Start Me To Talking" was the finest. ---Ron Wynn, allmusic.com

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