Search - Lightnin Slim :: I'm Evil: Rare & Unissued Excello Masters

Originator of Louisiana Swamp Blues on top of his game

happydogpotatohead | New Orleans, LA USA | 06/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There was a time (and it was a better time than the one we live in, at least musically) when Lightnin' Slim was known all through the south. He and Slim Harpo ran neck and neck for the title of "King of Louisiana Swamp Blues." In our wicked times, Lightnin' Slim is almost unknown, and this CD has gone out of print. Crack open your wallet and pony up the cash for a used copy if it's here, because if you're a true blues fan, you will - I mean WILL - want this. Lightnin' Slim played the real, low-down blues with no watering down or juicing up. It's so stripped down that on half of the tracks here there isn't even a bass guitar, just Lightnin', a harp player (usually Lazy Lester or Slim Harpo) and a drummer. And that's all he needed. Hard, hard blues about bad women, bad whiskey and bad luck abound, with nasty guitar sounds and cutting harmonica riffs. If you dig the Fat Possum style blues releases, here's where they got the idea. Only Lightnin' Slim was doing it back in the 40s and 50s.The CD spans his whole career and includes many of his great songs like the title cut, "Nothin' But The Devil," and "It's Mighty Crazy." Everything on this CD is 100 percent solid, serious Louisiana swamp blues, adorned only with the patented Excello echo that adds an eerie feel to the slower songs. It's criminal that this is out of print and so much garbage that passes itself off as "blues" is floating around out there stealing people's money. Find this CD and get it; you won't be sorry you did."

The Best!

happydogpotatohead | 04/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is one of my very best favorites! It spans Lightnins' career from the beginning to the end, and all points in between. It starts out sounding rather primitive, but soon falls in to the swamp blues groove that was pioneered by such artist as Lightnin' Slim, Lazy Lester, Slim Harpo, and Lonesome Sundown, all under the very able management of Mr. Jay Miller, in Crowley, La. These guys jam to the max!If you are tired of the same old blues, and are looking for something a little different, you've found it here. You need to check this one out, and you'll be glad you did! My favs: (14), (22), (6), (15), (16), (19), (18), (20), etc..Scathing harp, bad-a__ guitar, all original. Wonderful CD!!!! A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"