Lightnin' Slim – Rooster Blues 1960

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Lightnin' Slim – Rooster Blues (Excello LP-8000) | Deep Swamp Blues Classic

 

 

 

 

 

Excello records 1960 ‎– LP-8000

 

 notes:

Rooster Blues by Lightnin' Slim is one of the defining recordings of 

Louisiana swamp blues,
 released on Excello Records under catalog number LP-8000. Raw, stripped-down, 
and emotionally direct, this album captures the essence of post-war Southern blues
 with a sound that feels both haunting and deeply human.
Recorded during the golden era of Excello’s blues catalog, 

Rooster Blues stands as a key 
example of how minimal production and emotional intensity 

can create timeless music.
Rooster Blues is rooted in the swamp blues tradition — a style known for its laid-back 
rhythm, echoing guitar tones, and deeply expressive vocals.
Lightnin' Slim delivers his signature raw vocal style throughout the record, often 
backed by sparse instrumentation that highlights his emotional storytelling.
The album was released by Excello Records, a legendary label based in Nashville
 known for recording some of the most important
 swamp blues artists of the 1950s and 1960s.
Excello was instrumental in preserving the raw Louisiana blues sound, 
featuring artists such as Lightnin' Slim, Slim Harpo, and Lazy Lester.

credits:

Artist (vocal & guitar)
Lightnin’ Slim (Otis Verries Hicks) – vocals, electric guitar
A Baton Rouge–area bluesman known for raw “swamp blues” style, 
often recorded under producer/engineer Jay Miller.
Recording producer / engineer
J. D. “Jay” Miller – producer, recording engineer
Central figure behind Excello Records’ Louisiana blues sound
Recorded many artists including Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, and Lightnin’ Slim
Known for a very minimal, close-miked, raw recording approach
Session musicians (typical Excello configuration for this period)
Exact personnel on this specific master take of “Rooster Blues” is not always 
fully documented in surviving session logs, but Excello’s house approach for 
Lightnin’ Slim sessions in 1955–1959 was highly consistent:
Lightnin’ Slim – guitar + vocal (always present)
Lazy Lester (often present in nearby sessions) – harmonica, 
sometimes percussion/guitar support
Session bass/drum accompaniment – usually minimal, sometimes:
local Baton Rouge / Crowley musicians hired by Miller
occasionally uncredited stand-in rhythm players
mportant: many Excello sessions from Crowley were recorded with 
no formal band credits, because Miller often built tracks around 
the solo artist with minimal overdubbing or rotating local support.
J. D. Miller Recording Studio
Location: Crowley, Louisiana, USA
Sometimes referred to as “Miller’s studio” or Excello’s Louisiana field studio
Not a large commercial studio—more of a converted 
space used for regional blues recording
Recorded: mid–late 1950s (around 1955–1959 era)
Released: 1959 (Excello single: Excello 45-2169)
This period is when Miller was actively capturing what
 became known as Louisiana swamp blues,

 Tracklist:

A1     Rooster Blues     2:38
A2     Long Leanie Mama     2:09
A3     My Starter Won't Work     2:45
A4     "GI" Slim     2:30
A5     Lightnin Troubles     2:25
A6     Bed Bug Blues     2:14
B1     Hoo-Doo Blues     2:06
B2     It's Mighty Crazy     2:33
B3     Sweet Little Woman     2:10
B4     Tom Cat Blues     2:56
B5     Feelin Awfull Blues     2:56
B6     I'm Leavin You Baby     2:27

 

 

link