Swamp blues
Swamp blues | |
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Stylistic origins | |
Cultural origins | 1950s, Louisiana, U.S. |
Derivative forms |
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.
Characteristics
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]
History
Swamp blues originated in the Black communities of Southwest Louisiana in the 1950s
References
- ^ Fontenot, Robert (February 24, 2019). "What Is Swamp Rock? A look at this Southern mix of country, funk, and soul". Liveabout. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ a b Malone, Evelyn Levingston, "Swamp Blues: Race And Vinyl From Southwest Louisiana" (2016). Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations. 2457. https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/2457
- ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
- ^ Koda, Cub. "Swamp blues". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 18, 2010..
- ^ ISBN 1-85828-421-X, p. 175.
- ^ ISBN 1-55728-452-0, pp. 140–4.
- ISBN 1-904041-96-5.
- ISBN 0-87930-736-6, pp. 687–8.