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,
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
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.
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
