- Playing
- Blues Unlimited #148 - Excello Records
- From
- Steve Franz
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.
Also in the Blues Unlimited series
Blues Unlimited #197 - Blues from Candid Records
(01:58:59)
From: Steve Franz
We take a look at the recordings that Memphis Slim, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Otis Spann made in New York City for the Candid label in 1960 and 1961... plus, selections from a ...
Blues Unlimited #196 - Down Home Post-War Favorites
(01:58:59)
From: Steve Franz
No particular theme on this one, just a grab bag full of post-war rockers and down home favorites from Lightnin' Hopkins, Dr. Ross, K.C. Douglas, Johnny Shines, Ralph Willis, ...
Blues Unlimited #195 - Soulful Stax Covers
(01:58:59)
From: Steve Franz
Join us as we enjoy some great cover versions of blues, pop, rock, folk, and R&B classics that were recorded down at the legendary Stax label in Memphis, Tennessee. We'll ...
Blues Unlimited #194 - Paul Oliver's "The Story of the Blues"
(01:58:59)
From: Steve Franz
On this episode, we pay homage to Paul Oliver’s legendary double LP set, "The Story of the Blues." Published as a companion piece to his critically acclaimed book of the same ...
Blues Unlimited #193 - Naptown Boogie: Blues from Indianapolis
(01:58:59)
From: Steve Franz
On this episode of Blues Unlimited, we’re hopping in our time machine, setting the dial for the Blues Revival of the 1960s and our destination to the city of Indianapolis. ...
Blues Unlimited #192 - A Legend at 19: A Tribute to Jody Williams
(01:58:59)
From: Steve Franz
Join us for a tribute to blues guitar legend Jody Williams. Making his debut on record at the age of 19, he became a highly influential guitarist, playing and recording with ...
Blues Unlimited #191 - A Legend Every Night: Blues from Antone's
(01:58:59)
From: Steve Franz
On this episode of Blues Unlimited, a tribute to Antone’s night club. Founded in 1975 in Austin, Texas, it featured a who’s who of blues legends, live and on stage. Twelve ...
Blues Unlimited #190 - The British Blues Explosion
(01:58:59)
From: Steve Franz
Join us as we explore the British Blues Explosion of the late 1950s and the 1960s. From the originators — like Chris Barber and Alexis Korner — to the famous — like the ...
A Blues Unlimited Special: In Their Own Words - A Conversation with the Blues
(59:00)
From: Steve Franz
In this montage of story and song, we hear Blues musicians speaking about their lives, the meaning of the Blues, growing up in hard times, and making their first records. ...
Blues Unlimited #189 - A Conversation With The Blues
(01:58:59)
From: Steve Franz
Join us for a special program featuring two legendary albums. The first, a "Conversation With The Blues," was recorded by Paul Oliver during the summer of 1960. The second, ...
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 |





