SWAMP BLUES/ Volume 4

 

SWAMP BLUES/ Volume 4

 

         

Let's go back to the Louisiana Swamps!

            Our 4^th opus starts with singer/guitarist Jimmy Dotson. Born in Ethel, near Baton Rouge on October 19 1933 Jimmy started to sing in his family's local church, learned to play drums and guitar and started professionally as a member of the Rhythm Ramblers, Silas Hogan's backing band. In 1959-60, Swamp blues creator J.D. Miller recorded Dotson as a session man and issued four tracks under Dotson's name, singing and playing guitar on Zynn and Rocko labels. Dotson went to Memphis for a while, playing in clubs all over town and the nearby venues. He recorded another single in 1963 backed by the famous Willie Mitchell's unit. Relocated in Houston, Dotson was still active until his death on March 26, 2017 in Houston, appearing at several festival like the Baton Rouge Blues Festival. James Dotson must not be confused with the Soul artist of the same name from Baltimore.

 

            Although he has recorded quite extensively, I have not much information about Ville Platte's artist Donnie Jacobs (Donald Jacob) who sings and plays guitar, accordion and bass. His first recordings were pure Swamp blues with the classic Street walkin' woman much revered among Swamp blues' buffs. After several singles on the same vein, Donnie would take again his real name (Donald Jacob) for more recordings, 45s and albums, in a more Zydeco and Soul styles.

 

           

Morris "Big" Chenier (1914-78) was Clifton's uncle and played fiddle, guitar and sang on numerous recordings as well as under his own name around his Opelousas home. He learned the guitar with Louisiana's songster Lennette Scott and the fiddle with locally famous fiddler Antoine Valet. In 1958, Big Chenier embarked for a few years in a full time musical career, fronting his own band all around Louisiana and the Gulf Coast and up to Houston.

 

                                                                       Gérard HERZHAFT

 

 

JIMMY DOTSON, vcl/dms; Sylvester Buckley, hca; Silas Hogan, g; Isaiah Chatman, bs. Crowley, La. 1959

01. I wanna know

02. Looking for my baby

03. My poor heart in pain

Jimmy Dotson, vcl/dms; Katie Webster, pno; Silas Hogan, g; Isaiah Chatman, bs. Crowley, La. 26 janvier 1960

04. Oh! Baby

05. I need your love

Jimmy Dotson, vcl; Willie Mitchell, tpt; Bill Forte, t-sax; Billy Mitchell, t-sax; Fred Ford, b-sax; Joe Hill, pno; Louis Steinberg, bs; Al Jackson, dms. Memphis, Tn. 1962

06. Search no more

07. Feel alright

DONNIE JACOBS, vcl/g; Jerry Devillier, hca; g; dms. Ville Platte, La. avril 1966

08. If you want good lovin'

09. Street walkin' woman

10. My love is something special

Donnie Jacobs, vcl/g; band. Ville Platte, La. 1969

11. Love repairman

12. Ring on your finger

Donnie Jacobs, vcl/g; band.

13. Finance man

14. Proud man

Donald Jacobs, vcl/g; band. Ville Platte, La. 1973

15. She kept chewing gum

BIG CHENIER (Morris Chenier), vcl/g; Robert Jackson, pno; Guitar Joe, g; James Williams, bs; Joe Payne, dms. Lake Charles, La. 1957

16. Let me hold your hand

17. Please try to realize

18. The dog and his puppies

19. Going to the City

Big Chenier, vcl/g; Eddie Williams, og; band. Lake Charles, 14 novembre 1960

20. Just couldn't take it

21. Let me hold your hand n°2

Big Chenier, vcl/g; Theodus De Clouet, acc; bs; dms. Lake Charles, 1961

22. I wanna know, I know now

Big Chenier, vcl/fdl; band. Lake Charles, La. c. 1961

23. Come on little girl

 

EDDY CLEARWATER/ Complete Studio Recordings 1958-79

 

EDDY CLEARWATER/ Complete Early Recordings 1958-79

           Jadis quelque peu considéré uniquement comme un imitateur de Chuck Berry, Eddy Clearwater (né Eddie Harrington le 10 janvier 1935 à Macon, Ms de parents Noirs et Cherokees) est aujourd'hui reconnu à juste titre comme un des derniers grands représentants toujours actifs du Chicago blues traditionnel de l'après-guerre.

           Il est vrai que Clearwater a été aussi prolifique et versatile dans sa vie que dans sa musique: plongeur, videur, chauffeur de taxi, éducateur, producteur, éditeur de disques mais toujours musicien, Eddy Clearwater a aussi pratiqué toutes sortes de musiques, des blues profonds à la Country Music, du Rockabilly au Gospel, etc... Il cite d'ailleurs parmi ses influences marquantes Hank Williams, Louis Jordan, Muddy Waters ou Chuck Berry.

           Il arrive à Chicago en 1950 après un passage à Birmingham (Alabama) ou il a joué et chanté dans plusieurs groupes de Gospel. A Chicago, il est hébergé et influencé par son oncle Houston Harrington, un amateur (et bientôt fondateur des disques Atomic-H) de blues grâce auquel il connaît de nombreux autres jeunes bluesmen comme Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Morris Pejoe.. ainsi que son cousin l'harmoniciste Carey Bell Harrington.

           A partir de 1953, c'est sous le nom de Guitar Eddy qu'il entame une carrière de musicien sur le marché aux puces de Maxwell Street ainsi que dans les bars de Chicago. C'est sur le label de son oncle (et sous le surnom de Clear Waters pour concurrencer Muddy Waters!) qu'il enregistre ses premiers disques en 1958, en particulier le savoureux Hillbilly blues qui est un petit succès dans le classement Country local!. Mais c'est son A minor Cha Cha, un instrumental très inspiré de Jody Williams qui lui vaudra l'attention des fans de blues du monde entier.

          

En 1959, Clearwater contacté par Eddie Blazonczyck (1941-2011: un immigré polonais qui deviendra un nom majeur de la musique américano-polonaise), devient le guitariste noir (une rareté à l'époque même à Chicago) du groupe (blanc) de Rock'n'roll que fonde Blazonczyck et trois amis sous le nom de Eddy Bell and The Hill Boppers qui deviendront très vite les Belairs (ou Bel-Airs). Clearwater enregistre substantiellement avec Eddy Bell, démontrant sa capacité à émuler les guitaristes de Rockabilly, ce qui lui vaut d'ailleurs toujours une certaine aura dans ces cercles.

           Parallèlement, il continue à jouer du blues sous son nom dans les bars de Chicago, enregistrant sporadiquement des 45t pour de petits labels sans grande distribution.

           Ce n'est en fait qu'en 1973-74 et son association avec le pianiste Bob Riedy qu'Eddy Clearwater peut réellement développer sa propre carrière de bluesman. Il enregistre de magnifiques albums comme The Chief pour Rooster, le label de Jim O'Neal avant de graver d'autres excellents disques pour Delmark, MCM, Charly, Blind Pig, Bullseye...

           Cette visibilité lui permet de participer à de nombreuses tournées européennes où son dynamisme, la qualité de sa musique, son jeu de guitare et son sens de la scène lui assurent un constant succès.

           Nous avons ici regroupé la quasi-totalité des premiers 45t qu'il a enregistrés avant ses premiers albums auxquels nous avons ajouté certains des disques gravés en compagnie de Eddy Bell.

                                                                 Gérard HERZHAFT

          

Photo: © Gérard Herzhaft

 At first, pigeonholed as a simple Chuck Berry's impersonator, Eddy Clearwater (born Eddie Harrington from Cherokee and African American parents on January, 10th 1935 at Macon, Ms) is justly hailed today as one of the last performing masters of the post-war Chicago blues.

           It's true that Eddy has been as versatile in his life than in his music: dishwasher, bouncer, cab driver, teacher, producer and of course musician... Eddy has also played a lot of musical styles with the same ease, whether Rockabilly, Country Music, Gospel than deep Chicago blues.

           After a stint in Birmingham (Alabama) where he seemed to have played and sung with local Gospel groups, Eddy reaches Chicago in 1950 where he is welcomed by his eccentric uncle Houston Harrington who is also a staunch blues fan and soon blues producer who will create his famed label Atomic-H. Through Houston, Eddy meets and befriends with Otis Rush, Magic Sam, Morris Pejoe, Sunnyland Slim as well as his own cousin, future harmonica ace, Carey Bell Harrington. Eddy learns a lot with and from them as well as listening to R'n'R records, particularly Chuck Berry's.

           He starts to play in clubs and on Maxwell Street under the nickname Guitar Eddy that Uncle Houston will soon turns into Clear Waters, then Clearwater to match with Muddy Waters' popularity! It's also on his uncle's new label Atomic-H that in 1958 Eddy waxes his first 45s, particularly Hillbilly blues which stirs some interests in the Country & Western local circles. But this is the top instrumental A minor Cha Cha (largely derived from Jody Williams) that draws the attention of the blues buffs from around the world, still a classic!

           In 1959, probably through the reputation of Hillbilly blues, Clearwater is approached by Eddie Blazonczyck (1941-2011: a recent polish migrant who will become one of the top names of "Polka" music) who is launching his own Rock'n'roll band, Eddy Bell and The Hill Boppers who will soon turn into Eddy Bell and the Bel-Airs. To be an African American musician with an all-white band is certainly very seldom viewed at that time! Clearwater will then play and record regularly with this successful R'n'R band, demonstrating his skills as a Rockabilly guitarist which earns him a reputation among Rockabilly fans up to this day.

           He anyway manages to play also blues under his name into Chicago clubs and records some 45s for very small labels with poor distribution. He will have to wait until the early 70's and an association with the Bob Riedy's blues band to become a well-known Chicago blues name. He records a wonderful album for Jim O'Neal (The Chief) then a large number of generally excellent LPs and CD's for Blind Pig, Delmark, Charly, MCM, Bullseye... He also tours Europe quite often, gaining a large following thanks to his excellent music, guitar playing and dynamic stage presence.

           We have been able to gather all his early recordings to which we have added some of the titles he made with Little Eddy and the BelAirs.

                                                      Gérard HERZHAFT

EDDY CLEARWATER Complete Studio Recordings 1958-79

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; Lazy Bill Lucas, pno; John Hudson, g; bs; Richard Rogers, dms. Chicago, Ill. may 1958

01. Boogie woogie baby

02. Hillbilly blues

03. Jumpin' at Charley's

04. Neckbones everyday

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; Rayburn Williams, pno; Chuck Slmith, t-sax; b-sax; Jimmy Lee Robinson, bs; Richard Rogers, dms. Chicago, Ill. february 1959

05. I don't know why

06. A-minor Cha Cha I & II

07. Ain't that a shame

08. Dancin' time

Eddy Bell & The Rock-A-Fellas: Eddie Blazonczyck Sr, vcl/dms; Eddy Clearwater, g; The Rock-A-Fellas, band.  Chicago, Ill. 18 may 1959

09. Counting the days

10. Night party

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; Lee Jackson, g; Sunnyland Slim, pno; Tom Archia, t-sax; Corky Robertson, bs; Jump Jackson, dms. Chicago, Ill. July 1960

11. Hillbilly blues

12. Wanna be cool

Eddy Bell & The Bel-Aires: Eddie Blazonczyck Sr, vcl/dms; Eddy Clearwater, g; band. Chicago, Ill. september 1960

13. The masked man (Hi Yo Silver)

14. Anytime

Eddy Bell & The Bel-Aires: Eddie Blazonczyck Sr, vcl/dms; Eddy Clearwater, g; band. Chicago, Ill. february 1961

15. Knock knock knock

16. Wear my class ring on a ribbon

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; Rayburn Williams, pno; Jesse Pariles, g; Chuck Smith, t-sax; b-sax; bs; Pete Perez, dms. Chicago, Ill. may 1961

17. Cool water

18. Cool clear water

19. Baby please

Eddy Bell & The Bel-Aires: Eddie Blazonczyck Sr, vcl/dms; Eddy Clearwater, g; band. Chicago, Ill. october 1961

20. Johnny B. Goode is in Hollywood

21. I'm all alone

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; Mitchell Robinso, pno; Hank Marr, og; Freddy King, g; Osborne Whitfield, t-sax; Laurence Frazier, bs; Philip Paul, dms, vcl grp. Chicago, Ill. 21-22 november 1961

22. A real good time

23. I was gone

24. Twist like this

25. Hey Bernardine

Eddy Bell & The Bel-Aires: Eddie Blazonczyck Sr, vcl/dms; Eddy Clearwater, g; band. Chicago, Ill. december 1961

26. The great great pumpkin

27. I'm still in love with you

Eddy Bell & The Bel-Aires: Eddie Blazonczyck Sr, vcl/dms; Eddy Clearwater, g; band. Chicago, Ill. 1962

28. Rock'n'roll USA

29. He's a square

30. Few more days

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; g; Ernest Gatewood, bs; dms. Chicago, Ill. 1965

31. Momee momee

32. The duck walk

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; Mighty Joe Young, g; tpts; Chuck Smith, t-sax; Bob Little, b-sax; Mac Thompson, bs; Louis Batista, dms. Chicago, Ill. 1 may 1969

33. Doin' the model

34. I don't know why #2

Eddy Clearwater, vcl; Bob Riedy, pno; John Reda, g; Dan Draher, g; Mark Gaston, tpt; Mike Cogan, t-sax; Mike Williams, a-sax; Bob Falvey, bs; Richard Robinson, dms. Chicago, Ill. july 1974

35. Pretty baby

36. Caldonia

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; Chuck Smith, t-sax: Abb Locke, t-sax; Bob Riedy, pno; Allen Batts, og; Bob Falvey, bs; Richard Robinson, dms. Chicago, Ill. november 1974

37. True love

38. Lonely nights

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; Little Mack Simmons, hca; Bob Riedy, pno; Thomas Eckert, g; Aaron Burton, ba; Sam Lay, dms. Chicago, Ill. 14 march 1977

39. Muddy Waters goin' to run clear

40. Boogie my blues away

41. Blues at Theresa

42. I don't know why

43. Tore up all the time

44. Real fine woman

45. Mayor Daley's blues

46. Came up the hard way

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; AbbLocke, t-sax; Dimestore Fred (Fred Stoop), hca; Allen Batts, org; Jimmy Johnson, g; Mark Wydra, g; Marvin Jackson, bs; Casey Jones, dms. Evanston, Ill. september-december 1978

47. A little bit of blues a little bit of Rock'n'roll

48. The world's in a bad situation

49. Blast off

50. Nashville road

51. Chicago Daily blues

Eddy Clearwater, vcl/g; Allen Batts, org/pno; Mark Wydra, g; Scott Meyer, bs; John Hiller, dms. Evanston, Ill. march-april 1979

52. Two times nine (2X9)

53. Payments on my woman

54. Came up the hard way