RHYTHM ‘N’ BLUESIN’ BY THE BAYOU – Livin’, Lovin’ & Lyin’Reviewed by Heikki SuosaloRating: 8/ 10
(CDCHD 1514; 28 tracks, 66 min; notes by Ian Saddler) Track listing and sound clips at http://acerecords.co.uk/rhythm-bluesin-by-the-bayou-livin-lovin-lyin. This is actually the 19th volume in this Bayou series, which concentrates on roots music from South Louisiana. These rhythm & blues tracks derive mostly from the 1950s, and eleven of them are previously unreleased. The style ranges from boogie-woogie tracks by Cookie & the Cupcakes, King Karl and Joe “Google Eyes” August to slow blues performed by Eddie Lang, Elizabeth and James Freeman. While in the 1950s, we can’t avoid the influence of rock ‘n’ roll on recordings by Little Victor & His Jivin’ Five, Little Bob & the Lollipops and Chuck Martin, nor close to rockabilly sounds by Lonesome Sundown aka Cornelius Green. On some tracks you can’t help hearing the impact of some of the hit-makers of the day in that area. The Dave Bartholomew/Fats Domino domination is evident on some songs by Tabby Thomas and King Charles. Somehow Lloyd Price comes through on Little Bolton’s Don’t Know Why, and Little Richard is lurking around the corner on Guitar Jr’s Love Me, Love Me Mary Ann. At times they have listened closely to Ray Charles and also Hank Ballard and the Midnighters’ Annie Had a Baby on Eddie Williams’ Baby’s Got Bad Feet. Now, come on all you 50s rhythm & blues music lovers, I know some of you can still romp! (8) © Heikki Suosalo |
