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Blues Unlimited #148 - Excello Records

From: Steve Franz
Series: Blues Unlimited
Length: 01:59:01

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In this episode of Blues Unlimited, we pay tribute to the great Nashville label, Excello, which issued some superb early '50s R&B, and also the legendary Louisiana Swamp Blues of Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Lonesome Sundown, Lightnin' Slim, and more. Read the full description.

Excello_lets_play_house_small In this episode of Blues Unlimited, we pay tribute to the legendary Nashville label that brought the Louisiana Swamp Blues of Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Lonesome Sundown, and Lightnin' Slim to prominence -- as well as some very fine R&B that proprietor Ernie Young cut in Nashville during the early 1950s. Although they never had a lot of R&B chart hits (compared to such other contemporary labels as Modern, Chess, Imperial, or Specialty), what they did have was a remarkably consistent product, a strong advertising presence on Nashville's 50,000 watt clear channel WLAC radio station, and a thriving mail order business.

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Piece Description

In this episode of Blues Unlimited, we pay tribute to the legendary Nashville label that brought the Louisiana Swamp Blues of Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Lonesome Sundown, and Lightnin' Slim to prominence -- as well as some very fine R&B that proprietor Ernie Young cut in Nashville during the early 1950s. Although they never had a lot of R&B chart hits (compared to such other contemporary labels as Modern, Chess, Imperial, or Specialty), what they did have was a remarkably consistent product, a strong advertising presence on Nashville's 50,000 watt clear channel WLAC radio station, and a thriving mail order business.

Timing and Cues

Hour 1: 00:00 - 1:01:29
In Cue: "Welcome to Blues Unlimited..."
Out Cue (at 1:00:29): "...coming up right after this break."

Break (60 second music bed): 1:00:29 - 1:01:29

Hour 2: 1:01:29 - 1:58:59
In Cue: "Welcome back to the show..."
Out Cue (at 1:55:20): "...next time, right here on Blues Unlimited."

Note: from 1:55:20 to 1:58:59, a song by Slim Harpo, "Baby Scratch My Back," closes the show.

Additional Notes:
This episode of Blues Unlimited is compliant with SOUNDEXCHANGE reporting requirements.

Each episode of Blues Unlimited is designed to be a self-contained "evergreen" show, to be run at any time you choose.

Musical Works

Title Artist Album Label Year Length
Dirty Brithches The Leap Frogs House Rockin' & Hip Shakin' - Vol. 2 Louisiana Hoo Doo Party. Hip-O 1953 02:46
Baby Let's Play House Arthur Gunter The Excello Story Vol. 1: 1952-1955. Hip-O 1954 02:46
Banana Split Kid King's Combo The Excello Story Vol. 1: 1952-1955. Hip-O 1953 03:07
It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day) Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers w/ Earl Gaines Blowin' The Fuse - 1955. Bear Family 1955 02:39
Pleadin' For Love Larry Birdsong with Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers The Excello Story Vol. 2: 1955-1957. Hip-O 1955 02:34
Miss You So Lillian Offitt The Excello Story Vol. 3: 1957-1961. Hip-O 1957 02:09
Best of Friends The Dixie Doodlers No Jive - Authentic Southern Country Blues. Ace 1953 02:45
I'm Your Country Man Shy Guy Douglas The Excello Story Vol. 1: 1952-1955. Hip-O 1953 02:46
Gotta Have You Baby Louis Campbell No Jive - Authentic Southern Country Blues. Ace 1955 02:47
Welcome Home Baby Slim Hunt No Jive - Authentic Southern Country Blues. Ace 1955 02:36
Johnny Mae The Blues Rockers A Shot In The Dark: Nashville Jumps. Bear Family 1955 02:53
That's What They Want Jerry McCain That's What They Want - The Best of Jerry McCain. Excello/AVI 1955 02:22
Don't Let Daddy Slow Walk You Down Good Rockin' Sam with Kid King's Combo A Shot In The Dark: Nashville Jumps. Bear Family 1955 02:55
Just Made Twenty-One Lightnin' Slim Rooster Blues. Hip-O 1956 02:16
You Don't Love Me No More Jerry McCain That's What They Want - The Best of Jerry McCain. Excello/AVI 1956 02:34
The Hot Potato Guitar Red Excello Rarities. P-Vine 1956 02:33
Blues and Misery Ole Sonny Boy (aka J.D. Horton) Blues Hangover: Excello Blues Rarities. Excello/AVI 1956 02:50
Lost Without Love Lonesome Sundown House Rockin' & Hip Shakin', Vol. 3: Killer Swamp Blues Guitar. Hip-O 1956 02:33
Chicken Hearted Woman Clarence Samuels House Rockin' & Hip Shakin', Vol. 3: Killer Swamp Blues Guitar. Hip-O 1956 02:40
They Call Me Lazy Lazy Lester I Hear You Knockin'! - The Excello Singles. Excello/AVI 1956 03:24
Little Lean Woman Little Al Gunter The Excello Story Vol. 2: 1955-1957. Hip-O 1956 02:05
My Next Door Neighbor Jerry McCain That's What They Want - The Best of Jerry McCain. Excello/AVI 1957 02:11
I'm A King Bee Slim Harpo The Excello Singles Anthology. Hip-O 1957 03:03
Don't Say A Word Lonesome Sundown House Rockin' & Hip Shakin' - Vol. 4 Bayou Blues Harp. Hip-O 1956 02:25
Tell Me Pretty Baby Lazy Lester I Hear You Knockin'! - The Excello Singles. Excello/AVI 1957 02:21
Hoo Doo Blues Lightnin' Slim Rooster Blues. Hip-O 1957 02:21
Wondering And Worryin' Slim Harpo The Excello Singles Anthology. Hip-O 1957 02:08
Hey! Pardner Classie Ballou Excello Rarities. P-Vine 1958 02:17
I'm A Lover Not A Fighter Lazy Lester I Hear You Knockin'! - The Excello Singles. Excello/AVI 1958 02:46
Wild Cherry Leroy Washington Swamp Blues Guitarists!. P-Vine 1958 02:23
This Should Go On Forever Guitar Gable and King Karl The Excello Story Vol. 3: 1957-1961. Hip-O 1957 02:49
Gonna Stick To You Baby Lonesome Sundown Louisiana Swamp Blues. Flyright 1959 02:08
Crazy Me Arthur Gunter House Rockin' & Hip Shakin', Vol. 3: Killer Swamp Blues Guitar. Hip-O 1958 02:50
Rooster Blues Lightnin' Slim Rooster Blues. Hip-O 1959 02:33
Roll On Ole Mule Tabby Thomas Swamp Blues Guitarists!. P-Vine 1961 02:03
Naggin' Jimmy Anderson Blues Hangover: Excello Blues Rarities. Excello/AVI 6263 02:19
Trouble At Home Blues Silas Hogan Swamp Blues Guitarists!. P-Vine 1962 02:29
Baby Scratch My Back Slim Harpo The Excello Singles Anthology. Hip-O 1965 03:40

Related Website

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