Louisiana Red

The first word that springs to mind listening to Louisiana Red is ‘Real’. He really is a true original Louisiana Bluesman and everything about his music is true to the spirit of Bayou Blues.

This album follows on from his ‘Back To The Black Bayou’ album last year and if there is a better Blues album this year it will be something very special indeed.
Red’s voice is strongly accented, his guitar is raw and pounding, his songs are all about real life and the whole package is completely enthralling.

The guitar playing on ‘I Had Trouble All My Life’ isn’t there just as a break, it draws you deep into his pain and the sense that life hurts but treats you to the hope that underlies his lyrics. His version of the classic ‘See That My Grave Is Kept Clean’ is dark and brooding – the pleading edge in his voice is so true to the meaning of the song while the guitar break is simply chilling.
The band here is superb. They deliver some absolutely original playing and create a dense background for Red’s lyrics and guitar to spring on from – kudos for Little Victor for a sterling production job; this sounds live and like real band effort.

Louisiana Red is one of the few early Bluesmen still playing and we need to cherish him – while he is making music this good that is the easy thing to do.