[2017-08-25] VA "Bluesin' By The Bayou: Ain't Broke, Ain't Hungry" (Ace UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Jul 12, 2017 3:57 am

Description
The “By The Bayou” series leaps to Volume 18 with a return to the blues of South Louisiana, bringing you rare or previously unissued tracks from stars of the genre such as Lightnin’ Slim, Lazy Lester and Slim Harpo, plus a host of little-known or completely unknown performers. We also have two artists who you would never think performed in the downhome style – Barbara Lynn and Cookie (aka Huey Thierry) – but who sound right at home, with an unknown harmonica player setting the tone on Barbara’s track whilst Cupcakes guitarist Marshall Laday supports Cookie with some mean blues pickin’. In fact there are several tracks here that will have air-guitar virtuosos reaching for their imaginary axes.

We reveal in the booklet that the much-reported birthplace of Lightnin’ Slim may be another creation of this enigmatic performer. Sorting out the different takes of his songs has proven complicated because he was inclined to sing subtle changes in the lyrics whilst performing identical guitar work. This time we have had the support of a dedicated fan who prefers to remain anonymous but provided detailed analysis. As for Slim Harpo, ‘Cigarettes’ is one of my favourites amongst his lesser-known titles.

As always there are a handful of mystery singers. Was there really a “Ramblin’ Hi Harris”, for example, or was his name created later by J.D. Miller? Another rarity is an artist whose record doesn’t appear in that veritable tome The Blues Discography 1943-1970. T.B. Fisher may have escaped notice there but he is proof of what a great ear Huey Meaux had for all manner of music. The man had a real knack for spotting talent and bringing out their best on vinyl, and I’ll wager there will be many a blues aficionado hunting for Fisher’s disc once it’s been heard.

I sincerely hope that old and new blues fans will get as much pleasure listening to this CD as I had compiling it.

IAN SADDLER

Tracklist
1. Pleadin' - Mercy Baby
2. I've Been In This Prison (Take 3) - Leroy Washington
3. Little Girl Blues (Take 3) - Lightnin' Slim
4. I Haven't Got A Home - Ramblin' Hi Harris
5. Better Start Doin' It - 'Honey Boy' Allen Pierre
6. Cigarettes - Slim Harpo
7. Hoo Doo Blues - Lightnin' Slim
8. Ain't Broke, Ain't Hungry - Polka Dot Slim
9. I'm A Lover Not A Fighter (Take 6) - Lazy Lester
10. Dreaming Dreaming - Joe Richards
11. Still In Love With You - Al Smith
12. In The Evening - Cookie & The Cupcakes
13. A Thing You Gotta Face - Polka Dot Slim
14. Life Gets Hard - J Jackson
15. Sugar Coated Love - Barbara Lynn
16. Tee Black - Boozoo Chavis & His Zodico Accordian
17. Angel Please - Jimmy Anderson & The Joy Jumpers
18. Make Me Cry - Clarence Garlow
19. Hamburgers & Popcorn - Boozoo Chavis & His Zodico Accordian
20. I Hate To Leave You Baby - Lightnin' Slim
21. If I Don't See You - Al Smith
22. Baby, Baby, Baby - Ramblin' Hi Harris
23. I Don't Know - Lightnin' Slim
24. If The Blues Was Money - Big Walter
25. Somebody Tell Me - J Jackson
26. I Love Her So - Al Smith
27. Don't Change Your Mind - T.B. Fisher
28. I'm Gonna Find My Baby - Unknown Artist

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073LJR31M/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073LJR31M/?tag=imwan-21

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Sep 19, 2017 8:30 pm

[2017-08-25] VA "Bluesin' By The Bayou: Ain't Broke, Ain't Hungry" (Ace UK)

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