| Swamp blues | |
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| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | 1950s,Louisiana, U.S. |
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Swamp blues is a type ofLouisiana blues that developed in the Black communities ofSouthwest Louisiana in the 1950s.[2] It incorporates influences from other genres, particularlyzydeco andCajun. Its most successful proponents includeSlim Harpo andLightnin' Slim, who enjoyed nationalrhythm and blues hits.
Swamp blues has a laid-back, slow tempo, and generally is a more rhythmic variation ofLouisiana blues, incorporating influences fromNew Orleans blues,zydeco,soul music andCajun music.[3] It is characterized by simple but effective guitar work and is influenced by theboogie patterns used onJimmy Reed records and the work ofLightnin' Hopkins andMuddy Waters.[4] The sound of swamp blues was characterized by "eerie echo, shuffle beats, tremolo guitars, searing harmonica and sparse percussion".[5]
Swamp blues originated in the Black communities of Southwest Louisiana in the 1950s[2] and was particularly associated with record producerJ. D. "Jay" Miller.[5] In the 1950s, Miller recorded many blues artists around the city, distributing their recordings throughExcello Records inNashville, Tennessee.[6] The most successful and influential artist with whom he worked was guitarist and harmonica playerSlim Harpo.[7] Other major artists includedLightnin' Slim,Lazy Lester,Silas Hogan,Lonesome Sundown,[5] and piano playerKatie Webster.[6] A number of their songs, particularly those of Slim Harpo, were covered byBritish Invasion bands, including theRolling Stones,The Kinks and theYardbirds.[8] The popularity of the genre faded in the 1970s, with many swamp bluesmen turning tozydeco which remained popular with black audiences.[6]
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