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.

All the titles here are those that 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.

REVIEWS

“Some blues critics have placed him on the same level as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Reed and on the evidence of these recordings I wouldn't argue. Congratulations to Acrobat for issuing this collection which hopefully will serve to introduce him to a wider audience. ”  –  Gerry Stonestreet (In Tune Issue 336)

“Lightnin’ Slim’s oeuvre may not be essential to your collection but its value is substantial”  –  Neil Slaven (Blues & Rhythm April 2020)