When people talk about Louisiana swamp blues, this is what they're talking about. Excello Records' first foray into albums came with this wonderful collection of singles by
Lightnin' Slim, largely issued around the success of the title track, an R&B hit in 1960. "Long Leanie Mama," "My Starter Won't Work," "It's Mighty Crazy," "Hoo-Doo Blues," "Tom Cat Blues," "Lightnin' Troubles," "G.I. Slim," and "Feelin' Awful Blues" are all certified swamp blues classics and about as lowdown as the genre can get possibly get. With
Lazy Lester on harmonica for the majority of the tracks here, the stripped-down approach to
Slim's brand of blues gives these sides a decidedly front-porch ambience, with the added pulsating tape echo and oddball percussive effects just making everything on here sound even more doom-laden. An essential blues purchase.