Like the jazz tradition in New Orleans and zydeco music’s in South Louisiana, many of the current blues artists that from Baton Rouge are second, and even third generation musicians. Not only is Kenny Neal the oldest son of blues harp legend Raful Neal, but also each of his siblings has pursued careers as a [...]
The title of this one is somewhat misleading. A better one might well be A Little Bit of Blues and Let’s Rock a While. The former Baton Rouge guitarist recorded this in Nashville with the multi-tasking Jon Tiven producing. Former Howlin’ Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin co-wrote several of the songs here. In fact, he helps [...]
By virtue of recording the classic R&B “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” in 1952, Kenner’s Lloyd Price is not just a pioneer of rock ’n’ roll, he just might well be the founding father. Besides recording several hits over the next 15 years, Price hasn’t been content to assume the role of an “oldies” performer and sit [...]
As the title implies here, most of these songs have been around the block more than once. But that’s not to say that they’re all worn out. Big Daddy ‘O’—Owen Tufts—has a laid-back, engaging style that works especially well when he plays in minor keys, which he does enjoyably often. Case-in-point is the opener, “Life [...]
Not many folks in the People’s Republic of South Louisiana have heard of the R&B chanteuse Janiva Magness. Despite a late entry into the field of entertainment, she was deemed the 2009 Entertainer of the Year by the Blues Foundation. Possessor of a vampish voice and phrasing, when she’s not sounding pouty, she sounds absolutely [...]
The centerpiece on Feed My Soul is the reflective “Something is Missing,” a recurring theme throughout the album. The Brothers sing about missing children on “Dark Clouds,” missing money on “Edge of the Ledge,” missing action on the sly “You’re the Kind of Trouble,” missing friends on “Fair Weather Friends” and missing your woman on [...]
You got to give Nick Moss credit. He sure gets a lot of mileage out of two or three chords. Moss is a workman-like guitarist who plays like a buzzsaw, leaving nary an empty space here. Check out the traditional blues “Louise” where Moss plays like his pants are on fire—Robert Pete Williams never sounded [...]
The oily Pelican State has a history of figuring out how to have a party, even under adverse conditions. Those good times have often been helped along by beer and liquor, so it’s no surprise that adult beverages have contributed significantly to the state’s songbook.
“I Got Loaded” – Lil’ Bob and the Lollipops
This irresistible swamp [...]
I guess if B.B. King can record a half-dozen or so live albums, our own King—Little Freddie—is entitled to record his second one. While these recordings aren’t dated, they appear to be fairly recent and from a New Mexico festival appearance. There are no frills here as Freddie rips through a fairly workman-like set of [...]
Even though Louisiana Hayride product Johnny Horton scored big with the rockabilly shuffle “Honky Tonk Man” and patriotic productions such as “The Battle of New Orleans” and “Sink the Bismarck,” his fame rests with these remarkable country ballads. This style came naturally to Horton as he manages to balance both confidence and vulnerability throughout. Collecting [...]
