Swamp blues | |
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Stylistic origins | |
Cultural origins | 1950s, Louisiana, U.S. |
Derivative forms |
Swamp blues is a type of Louisiana blues that developed in the Black communities of Southwest Louisiana in the 1950s. [2] It incorporates influences from other genres, particularly zydeco and Cajun. Its most successful proponents include Slim Harpo and Lightnin' Slim, who enjoyed national rhythm and blues hits.
Swamp blues has a laid-back, slow tempo, and generally is a more rhythmic variation of Louisiana blues, incorporating influences from New Orleans blues, zydeco, soul music and Cajun music. [3] It is characterized by simple but effective guitar work and is influenced by the boogie patterns used on Jimmy Reed records and the work of Lightnin' Hopkins and Muddy Waters. [4] The sound of swamp blues was characterized by "eerie echo, shuffle beats, tremolo guitars, searing harmonica and sparse percussion". [5]
Swamp blues originated in the Black communities of Southwest Louisiana in the 1950s [2] and was particularly associated with record producer J. D. "Jay" Miller. [5] In the 1950s, Miller recorded many blues artists around the city, distributing their recordings through Excello Records in Nashville, Tennessee. [6] The most successful and influential artist with whom he worked was guitarist and harmonica player Slim Harpo. [7] Other major artists included Lightnin' Slim, Lazy Lester, Silas Hogan, Lonesome Sundown, [5] and piano player Katie Webster. [6] A number of their songs, particularly those of Slim Harpo, were covered by British Invasion bands, including the Rolling Stones, The Kinks and the Yardbirds. [8] The popularity of the genre faded in the 1970s, with many swamp bluesmen turning to zydeco which remained popular with black audiences. [6]