Swamp blues

Swamp blues is a type of Louisiana blues that developed in the Black communities of Southwest Louisiana in the 1950s.^[2] It incorporates influences from other genres, particularly zydeco and Cajun. Its most successful proponents include Slim Harpo and Lightnin' Slim, who enjoyed national rhythm and blues hits.

Swamp blues has a laid-back, slow tempo, and generally is a more rhythmic variation of Louisiana blues, incorporating influences from New Orleans blues, zydeco, soul music and Cajun music.^[3] It is characterized by simple but effective guitar work and is influenced by the boogie patterns used on Jimmy Reed records and the work of Lightnin' Hopkins and Muddy 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 producer J. D. "Jay" Miller.^[5] In the 1950s, Miller recorded many blues artists around the city, distributing their recordings through Excello Records in Nashville, Tennessee.^[6] The most successful and influential artist with whom he worked was guitarist and harmonica player Slim Harpo.^[7] Other major artists included Lightnin' Slim, Lazy Lester, Silas Hogan, Lonesome Sundown,^[5] and piano player Katie Webster.^[6] A number of their songs, particularly those of Slim Harpo, were covered by British Invasion bands, including the Rolling Stones, The Kinks and the Yardbirds.^[8] The popularity of the genre faded in the 1970s, with many swamp bluesmen turning to zydeco which remained popular with black audiences.^[6]