Swamp Blues Vol.1

Baton Rouge Blues
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Vol. 1

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Louisiana Swamp Blues Volume I
Live At Tabby's Blues Box

1. Tammy Thomas - Lord Oh Lord 3,39
2. Silas Hogan - Free Hearted Man 2,54
3. Silas Hogan - Let Me Be Your Hatchet 4, 1 1
4. Tabby Thomas - So Close Together 2,56
5. Tabby Thomas - Long Distance Call 4, 10
6. Oscar 'Harp' Davis - Baby What You Want Me To Do 2,24
7. Oscar 'Harp' Davis - Caress Me Baby 3,3
8. Oscar 'Harp' Davis - Ain' t Gonna Be Your Fool 3,20
9. Oscar 'Harp' Davis - Rainin' In My Heart 3,04
10. Arthur 'Guitar' Kelley - Diggin' My Potatoes 3,50
11. Chris Thomas - Part - Time Love 5,21
12. Henry Gray - It Hurts Me Too 4,45
13. W.W. Woodfolk - The Stars Are Crying 4,34
14. Clarence Edwards - Lonesome Bedroom Blues 4,40
15. Clarence Edwards - I' M The One 2,58
This CD Is Dedicated To Tabby Thomas
produced by Tabby Thomas & Stephen Coleridge (songs 8,9,12,14 recorded by Tabby Thomas on May, 1987 & Stephen Coleridge, 1991 mixed & edited by Alex Munkas, Tonart Studio Vienna photos by Stephen Coleridge, Tabby Thomas, Hannes Folterbauer & Rien Wisse linernotes by Moriba Karamoko layout by Andrea Maria Folterbauer credit must be given to the Louisisana Blues Society personell: Chris Thomas, guitar Tammy Thomas; Ronnie Houston, drums Oscar Davis, harp Tabby Thomas, organ Silas Hogan Jr; Stephen Coleridge, bass Alfred Jackson, guitar

The recording of a blues album at Tabby' s Blues Box in Baton Rouge is a good tribute to a forgotten home of the Blues.

Baton Rouge has been a home of the blues for years. Yet, as Jimmy Beyer points out, the history of Baton Rouge blues was often overlooked compared to the attention paid to Mississippi and Texas for the music of Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lightnin Hopkins. Baton Rouge was home of blues giants like Slim Harpo and Lightnin Slim, both of whom had reputations outside of Louisiana and as far away as Europe. Slim Harpo even had an impact on the fame of Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. The importance of Baton Rouge blues is demonstrated by the fact that current rock and blues bands continue to sing and record the songs of Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester and other Baton Rouge legends. The Baton Rouge Blues tradition Slim Harpo and Lightnin Slim were part of had its brightest moments during the 1950s and 1960s. During this period Lonesome Sundown, Lazy Lester, Robert Milburn, Silas Hagan, Robert Pete Williams and many other local artists were enjoying success an records and in live performances. By the early 1970s this tradition of live entertainment was replaced by disco records and night clubs with jukeboxes or disc jockeys. After a ten year slump, the Baton Rouge blues was revived in the early part of 1980. A central force in this revival was the institution created by local bluesman Tabby Thomas, Tabby' s Blues Box and Heritage Hall. The Blues Box, since it opened in 1980, had brought a number of veteran blues players back to stages in Louisiana, the United States and Europe.

Silas Hogan, the grandfather of Baton Rouge Blues, has toured Europe in the 1980s as part of this blues revival. Tabby Thomas, the driving force behind this revival, has also made several European and American tours lately. Other Baton Rouge legends like Henry Gray, Clarence Edwards, Lazy Lester, Raful Neal and Arthur 'Guitar' Kelley have recently graced the stages of festivals in the Untied States, Canada and Europe. One of the biggest attractions at the 1989 Chicago Blues Festival was the Louisiana blues jam organized by Buddy Guy, a Baton Rougean, that featured a number of Baton Rouge players. Along with bringing back the older bluesrnan, The Blues Box has also served as a training ground for younger artist. It gives younger players the opportunity to learn first hand from local blues masters. Chris Thomas, a young and dynamic guitar player, song writer and vocalist, owes his development partly to the atmosphere created by the establishment of Tabby' a Blues Box and Heritage Hall. The diversity of songs and artist recorded here allows the listener to feel and hear the history of Baton Rouge Blues, from the country blues of veterans Silas Hogan and Guitar Kelley, to the urban blues of young Chris Thomas. Silas Hogan was the senior artist featured here. At the age of 78 he was still actively playing and singing the blues around Baton Rouge. Hogan' s selection 'Let Me Be Your Hatchet' was written by his good friend Arthur 'Guitar' Kelley. Arthur 'Guitar'Kelley continues the tradition of country blues made famous by Lighthin Hopkins, John Lee Hooker and others. 'Diggin in My Potatoes' is a fine example of Kelley' s country blues style, which he has played for over 40 years.

W.W. Woodfolk is an accomplished drummer and vocalist. His ability to sing blues ballads is demonstrated in ' The Stars are Cryin '. Woodfolk also has the ability to fill the dance floor by singing more up tempo songs like ' Boogie Chillum '.

Tabby Thomas began recording in 1952 with the release of Midnight is Calling and I' 11 Make the Trip on Hollywood Records in Los Angeles. He is known as a vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. The two selections on this album ' To close Together and Long Distance Call ' allows him to show the diversity of his style as a vocalist and instrumentalist.

Clarence Edwards started playing blues in 1950s. Edwards has recorded for Arhoolie Records and played along with pianist Henry Gray, a veteran of the Howlin Wolf Band. Clarence Edwards has had the remarkable ability to sing for five hours without doing any song twice. Yes, he knew and could sing the many songs. His guitar playing was equally impressive. Listen to him do ' I' m the One - and you can sample his singing and guitar playing.

The influence of Slim Harpo can be heard on the next artist, Oscar Davis. Oscar is one of the best harmonica players around. Unfortunately, few people outside of Baton Rouge have heard him since this is his first recording and he travels little. Few harmonica players can match Oscar and his delivery of Slim Harpo songs. He credits Slim Harpo for the i development of his playing style; and his playing and singing is a fine tribute to the great Slim Harpo.

In addition to playing and singing, Tabby Thomas is the father of two sons, both of whom are young bluesmen. His oldest son, Tammy Thomas, is noted for his ability on the drums. On this album, however we also get a rare taste of his vocal skills. Tammy puts his joyful personality into ' Lord Oh Lord ' to bring the crowd into the recording session. Tammy has toured Europe and the United States playing behind his father, younger brother Chris Thomas, Moses ' Whisperin ' Smith, Henry Gray and others.

The final and youngest artist on this W.W. Woodfolk project is Chris Thomas. Chris is a songwriter, drummer and vocalist. His skill as a songwriter is demonstrated on his first album The Beginning '. Every song on his first album, released by Arhoolie, was written by Chris. The version of -Part-Time Love' he sings an this CD shows he is firmly rooted in the tradition of the blues legends he heard while growing up in Baton Rouge. The tone and emotion in his voice projects the spirit of this song very well.

Henry Gray, the great Louisiana and Howling Wolf piano player does some fine vocals and piano playing an 'It Hurts Me Too '. Tabby' s Blues Box and Heritage Hall is now a major attraction in Baton Rouge, Blues fans come from across the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa to enjoy the sounds of the Baton Rouge bluesman. This CD gives you the chance to make such a trip without leaving your home. Linernotes by Moriba Karamoko