Play 90 second soundbite of 'I'm Louisiana Red' @ 'CD quality'
Some people say that compact discs ruin the 'feel' of music, make it too sterile!! Well, Louisiana Red proves here that music on disc can still have that element of reality and a genuine 'live' feel - 'Back To The Black Bayou' joyously captures the feel of the early analogue and tape reel days. 'Back To The Black Bayou' has the 'proper' blues feel to it that so many artists readily discard when they allow the producer to keep on cleanin' things up and make it all too perfect!
'Back To The Black Bayou' finds Louisiana Red joining forces with Little Victor, who also produced this exceptional work, and getting right down to the basics again to give this excellent album the real Louisiana Red rough and tumble treatment that, for me, is right on-the-money! Although there are some impressive solo interludes within this great work there are definitely no egos tryin' to take over; Louisiana Red and Little Victor keep the grit and grind alive, wailin' and kickin', twenty-first century blues gets the 50's/60's treatment. Oh it's electric alright - make no mistake, this is definitely electric blues but the two 'heroes' combine wonderfully to keep everything beautifully in check but still allow the essence of the blues to be the prime-mover.
You know there are some fantastic blues albums out there and I have no problem with modern recording techniques cuz I still appreciate quality and like everything 'just-so'! But, it's really great to come across a 'modern' album like this that still feels true to the roots of the electric blues form - 'Back To The Black Bayou' is by no means lo-fi but it is somewhat 'grubby' and wholesome. Of the twelve tracks here eleven are Red originals and there's one 'trad arr' number - great songs that come together seamlessly to make up this wonderful album.
'Back To The Black Bayou' by Louisiana Red & Little Victor's Juke Joint is my kinda blues - it's contemporary but pays true homage to blues of an earlier time - it's superbly crafted to make the blues real and meaningful again. A real gem this one - great songs, fantastic musicianship and just a beautifully honest sound that reminds me of those days when I first discovered the blues and let them into my life.
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