Lightnin Slim- Complete Singles As & Bs 1954-62

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Lightnin’ Slim (real name Otis Hicks) was born in Louisiana in 1913 and was a pioneer and first prominent exponent of the “Swamp Blues” style, coming relatively late in life to recording in his early 40s to record his best-known work during the late 1950s and early ’60s, before retreating from the business until being re-discovered and brought back to performing in the early 1970s. His music became a significant influence on British artists during the ’60s blues boom. Swamp blues, focused in the clubs of Baton Rouge, is a laid-back but highly rhythmic blues style, influenced by Cajun music, and which the book “Music USA: A Rough Guide” states is characterised by “eerie echo, shuffle beats, tremolo guitars, searing harmonica and sparse percussion”. This great-value 46-track 2-CD set comprises all the titles which Lightnin’ Slim recorded for the Feature, Ace and Excello labels during these years, including the only R&B chart hit of his career “Rooster Blues”. He is accompanied on these recordings by a variety of other Louisiana musicians, most notably the harmonica player Lazy Lester. This collection offers an entertaining insight into the music of a highly individual artist as well as a distinctive strand of regional blues.

Tracklist:

1. Bad Luck
2. Rock Me Mama
3. New Orleans Bound
4. I Can’t Live Happy
5. Bugger Bugger Boy
6. Ethel Mae
7. She’s Gone
8. Strange Letter Blues
9. Bad Feeling Blues 1
10. Lightnin’ Slim Boogie 1
11. I Can’t Be Successful 1
12. Lightnin’ Blues 1
13. Sugar Plum 1
14. Just Made Twenty One 1
15. Goin’ Home 1
16. Wondering and Goin’ 1
17. Bad Luck and Trouble 1
18. Have Your Way 1
19. Mean Ole Lonesome Train 2
20. I’m Grown 2
21. I’m a Rollin’ Stone 2
22. Love Me Mama 2
23. Hoodoo Blues 2
24. It’s Mighty Crazy 2
25. My Starter Won’t Work 2
26. Long Leanie Mama 2
27. I’m Leavin’ You Baby 2
28. Feelin’ Awful Blue 2
29. Sweet Little Woman 3
30. Lightnin’s Troubles 3
31. Rooster Blues 3
32. “G.I.” Slim 3
33. Tom Cat Blues 3
34. Bed Bug Blues 3
35. Too Close Blues 3
36. My Little Angel Chile 3
37. Cool Down Baby 3
38. Nothing But the Devil 3
39. I Just Don’t Know 4
40. Somebody Knockin’ 4
41. I’m Tired Waiting Baby 4
42. Hello Mary Lee 4
43. Mind Your Own Business 4
44. You’re Old Enough to Understand 4
45. I’m Warning You Baby 4
46. Winter Time Blues