New Blues Release: Louisiana Red | “When My Mama Was Living” (Coming Oct. 30th, 2012)

This is a unique collection of performances done by extraordinary artists in their prime. There are times in a recording studio when the players are somewhat constrained and what one gets are the varnished equivalent of brand new shoes. They look good but they ain‘t great for walking. None of these recordings are varnished; they‘re the raw good stuff. They were made with friends–in a studio yes–but not bound by any strict rules of perfection. Just wanted spirited musicians gathered together with much ardor and the joy of being in each other’s company.

As in any such gathering, there was the ever present sense of the passage of time and of an inescapable loss to come. With Louisiana Red‘s recent passing, we felt a desperate need to bring something to light that would honor him, and perhaps reveal yet another side of a great artist. Peg Leg and Lefty made their exits some time ago, and yet they are still firmly in mind, as with any extraordinary beings.

Peg Leg Sam was a singular talent that one is hard pressed to explain in ordinary terms. His drifting hobo years (for real) and traveling carnival days, instilled in him a unique ability to capture the attention of a wide variety of people. Despite his antic, showy method of playing the harmonica, he has often been rated as high as Little Walter. The way he sang a song could break your heart. His sense of humor would send people to their knees with laughter. And, for all his handicaps and what must have been lonely years, I never saw him down hearted. Lefty Dizz was equally as good natured as Sam. He could play a guitar with the nimblest of fingers, flashing them over the wires as he drove out melodies seldom if ever heard before. When he went into a Chicago nightclub, the bands always made room for him and did their best to follow this amazing guitarist.

Louisiana Red was a vagabond of sorts himself. From his earliest years he was mostly rootless. The only thing that truly centered him was his music. His fingers were deft, totally at home picking out his bluesy chords. And few singers have ever had a voice that could express the deep emotions that Red could. This need not be said, of course. One has only to listen to this and a good many of his other recordings to understand. Peace be with you, Red, you were one of a kind.

Highlights

• An album that pays tribute to one of the last giants of country blues whose passing pretty much finishes that illustrious period of raw-boned, original talent.
• First release of tracks recorded during the mid-70s, featuring Louisiana Red in the purest and most unadulterated period of his career.
• Also featured are the rarely recorded guitar wizard Lefty Dizz as well as Peg Leg Sam, the astounding harmonica player whose skills were developed during his years as a wandering hobo.

Release Date: October 30, 2012

TRACK LISTING

    1. Walk All Over Georgia         
    2. King Bee                
    3. When My Mama Was Living     
    4. Caught Your Man And Gone     
    5. Bad Case Of The Blues         
    6. Little Suzie Jane            
    7. Got A Girl With A Dog Won’t Bark    
    8. Cold White Sheet               
    9. Going Down To Georgia        
   10. You Got To Move             
   11. Going Home            
   12. I’ll Be Glad When You Are Dead    
   13. Cold, Cold Feeling            
   14. John Henry      
   15. Stole From Me               
   16. Joanne            

   Distributed by [Naxos logo)
   UPC: 790987708524
   www.laborrecords.com