These audio files are bonus content related to the May 2014 issue of Guitar World. For the full range of interviews, features, tabs and more, pick up the new issue on newsstands now or at the Guitar World Online Store.
“Swamp blues” aptly describes the steamy blend of down-home blues, New Orleans R&B and Cajun styles that emanated from the Louisiana back country in the Fifties and Sixties.
The epicenter of swamp blues was the Crowley, Louisiana studio of producer-songwriter J.D. “Jay” Miller, whose recordings of local African-American artists for Nashville’s Excello label defined the genre.
Among such colorful names as Lightnin’ Slim, Lazy Lester, Lonesome Sundown and Whispering Smith, Miller’s most commercially successful artist was James Moore, a singer, guitarist and harp player better known as Slim Harpo. Harpo’s mix of traditional blues and popular dance rhythms had a particularly powerful impact on the early Sixties British pop scene, with the Rolling Stones and other bands widely covering his songs and using them to inspire their own writing.
At the same time, Miller’s quirky production style turned swamp into a recognized musical adjective.
“They’ve achieved so much in their careers. I love hearing their stories. Every time we plug in together, I grow as a player”: Lari Basilio reveals what she learned from playing side by side with all-time guitar and session greats
“We’d play at the Palomino under some weird name – we’d just show up, so nobody would know. By halfway through the set, the place was jam-packed”: Steve Lukather on his secret supergroup with Eddie Van Halen, Albert Lee and Steve Morse
