The Sound of the Gulf Coast
Compilation album by Various Artists
Released originally released in 1980 (this compilation released in 1980)
Recorded 1958-1961
Genre Swamp Pop
Length 22:29
Label Ace
Producers unknown
The Sound of the Gulf Coast fused Blues, Cajun, Country and R&B in a way that was akin to Rockabilly.
The Gulf Coast Sound is often known by the musical style that we call Swamp pop and is born of the fusion of musical styles from South Louisiana (The Cajun), New Orleans (rhythm and blues of Fats Domino or Guitar Slim) and Houston Texas (country music). During the Fifties many artists of this region have a reputation for their very good records - Rod Bernard, Jivin' Gene & The Jokers, Johnny Allen, Joe Barry, and the only national prominence was Bobby Charles with his See You Later Alligator which became a huge international hit when it was covered by Bill Haley and the Comets.
With its 10-inch The Sound of the Gulf Coast, Ace Records introduces us to 10 tracks with the sound and unique style of local artists.
One of the big cities in this region is Beaumont, and this is where Bill Hall had his recording studio in which a number of local artists recorded their songs. "School Day Blues" by Johnny & the Jammers which featured the future guitar hero Johnny Winter (15 years old at the time), accompanied by his brother Edgar on saxophone. Winter also played on "Let Me Come Your Way" by Burl Boykin.
One of the most influential artists from the Gulf Coast area was Roy "Boogie Boy" Perkins (his real name was E.R. Surez) who recorded some of the first swamp pop sides for the Melody label in New Orleans in 1955. Here we find both sides he recorded for Dart records in 1959 - "Sweet Lilly" and "True Love". "Good Lovin'" is a duet by Chase & Gene (Chase Canfil and Jivin' Gene). There are also two songs by Chase Canfil, "Woke Up This Morning" and "I Had a Dream". One of his biggest fans, a young Johnny Winter, used to follow him all over the East Texas club circuit.
Andy Charles & the Blues Kings came from South Louisiana, and their recording of "Baby Don't Go" was cut in 1959 at the Goldband studio in Lake Charles. Joey Mitchell is also a very good representative of the region with his "No One Else Will Do". Completing this collection, we have an outstanding track from The Velvetones, who were one of the best Doo Wop groups to come out of Houston.
LP track listing
Side One
1. Johnny & The Jammers (with Johnny and Edgar Winter) - "School Day Blues" (Johnny Winter) [1960] Ð 1:56
2. Burl Boykin (with Johnny Winter) - "Let Me Come Your Way" (Burl Boykin, Robert Todd) [1960] Ð 1:52
3. Roy "Boogie Boy" Perkins - "Sweet Lilly" (Roy Perkins) [1959] Ð 2:27
4. Roy "Boogie Boy" Perkins - "True Love" (Roy Perkins) [1959] Ð 2:21
5. Chase & Gene - "Good Lovin'" (Robert Bland, Jules Taub) [1961] Ð 2:44
Side Two
6. Andy Charles & The Blues Kings - "Baby Don't Go" (E. Shulcer, Andy Charles) [1959] Ð 2:02
7. Chase Canfil - "Woke Up This Morning" (Chase Canfil) [1958] Ð 2:16
8. Chase Canfil - "I Had a Dream" (Chase Canfil) [1958] Ð 2:21
9. Joey Mitchell - "No One Else Will Do" (J. Juneau) [1959] Ð 2:31
10. The Velvetones - "Penalty of Love" (T.D. Ashburn, James Stanley) [1959] Ð 1:59