Various Artists – Louisiana Swamp Blues – Flyright Records 09

This generous 20-song CD released in 1989 presents sterling work by names familiar to ardent fans of Louisiana swamp blues, that wonderful blues offshoot that combines the magic of zydeco, Cajun, soul, New Orleans, and blues influences into a delicious meld of simplified guitar work, laconic structures, and sparse percussion. 

We find giants of the idiom such as Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Henry Gray, and Katie Webster here, but also artists such as Whispering Smith, Boogie Jake, Silas Hogan, Tabby Thomas, and Ramblin’ Hi Harris, among others, who really need to be on the radar of anyone who covets the uniquely infectious swamp blues sound.

Flyright Records has produced a collection here that benefits from ideal sound quality and breadth of artists so as to only excite both the established swamp blues fan and the novice of the genre.

Below are the running song titles on this grand CD.  One listen to this phenomenal swamp blues gathering will only strengthen its appreciation among blues fans everywhere.

Song Titles

• Slim Harpo – “I’m A King Bee”
• Buddy Guy – “I Hope You Come Back Home”
• Lightning Slim – “I’m Warning You Baby”
• Lonesome Sundown – “Gonna Stick To You Baby”
• Lazy Lester – “I’m A Lover Not A Fighter”
• Lazy Lester – “Sugar Coated Love”
• Katie Webster & Ashton Savoy – “Baby Baby”
• Jimmy Anderson – “Naggin’”
• Joe Johnson – “Alimonia Blues”
• Sylvester Buckley – “Mumblin’ Blues”
• Clarence Garlow – “Foggy Blues”
• Boogie Jake – “Early In The Morning”
• Silas Hogan – “My Baby Walked Out”
• Whispering Smith – “Baby Left Me This Morning”
• Calhoun – “Hey Mattie”
• Ramblin’ Hi Harris – “Early One Morning”
• Leroy Washington – “Wild Cherry”
• Tabby Thomas – “Hoodoo Party”
• Henry Gray – “Midnight Dream”
• Slim Harpo – “Little Queen Bee”

Highly essential work, indeed!