portrait of this blog's author - by Stephen Blackman 2008

Wednesday, May 03, 2023

"Louisiana Bayou Rockers" - Excello 1956-1960

Twenty five tracks of South Louisiana blues guitar blasting from two of the finest exponents of the genre... GUITAR GABLE was one of the first artists to record in what would be called Swamp Pop with his recording of THIS SHOULD GO ON FOREVER. His other recordings are a vibrant mix of distorted guitar and heavy percussion with strong assured vocals. LEROY WASHINGTON was another Bayou Blues Blaster whose bright percussive style was closer to rockabilly than straight blues and his loping guitar heavy tracks are amazing - (Bluebeat Music) 
A great collection of blues, R&B and swamp pop by two of Excello's lesser known artists recorded by Jay Miller in Crowley between 1956 and 1960. Guitar Gable was superb guitar player who, in addition to recordings issued under his own name, was also a sideman on many Miller sessions. There are 13 tracks by Gable. Vocalist on many of the Gable tracks is King Karl who does classic swamp pop performances including the original version of this Should Go On Forever that was a big hit for Rod Bernard and Irene which became a swmp pop standad. There are also rocking R&B songs along with some fine instrumentals by Gable & his group. Leroy Washinton was more a straight ahead down home blues performer. He was an excellent singer and a dynamic and imaginative guitar player. Accompanied by such stalwart Miller session musicians as Guitar Gable, Clarence "Jockey" Etienne, Lionel Torrance, Katie Webster and others he performs a mix of great up tempo rockers like My True Life/ Don't Blame It One Me Mama and Wild Cherry (a local hit), tough slow blues like Hello Stranger and I've Been In This Prison (a song also recorded by Lonesome Sundown as My Home Is A Prison) as well as swampy blues ballads like Gimme Rights (When I'm Not Wrong). A superb selection with excellent sound. There are no notes but booklet does have discographical info. (FS) (Roots & Rhythm)
trax:
GUITAR GABLE
01 This Should Go On Forever 02 Gumbo Mumbo 03 Irene 04 Walking In The Park 05 Guitar Rhumbo 06 Please Operator 07 Cool Calm & Collected 08 Have Mercy On Me 09 Life Problem 10 Congo Mambo 11 It's Hard But It's Fair 12 What's The Matter With My Baby 13 Baby Baby Come To Papa
LEROY WASHINGTON
14 My True Life 15 Hello Stranger 16 Wild Cherry 17 Be Kind 18 Gimme Rights (When I'm Not Wrong) 19 My China Town Gal 20 Bow Legged Knocked Kneed & Big Eyes 21 Don't Blame It On Me Mama 22 Women Are Trouble 23 I Don't Want Your Money 24 I've Been In This Prison 25 Everyday
this is great fun! Borderline hysterical but none the worst for that when Louisiana takes on the pop classics of the day!
Bayou Rockers here . . .

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