Search - Shreveport Stomp :: Shreveport Stomp (Ram Recs)

Incredible 50's Rock and Roll that should've been HUGE

El Freak | Mooringsport, LA USA | 05/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes one is reminded that success in the music biz isn't always proportional to talent. If it were, then these songs would've been huge hits, and we all would've grown up hearing them. Alas, it was not to be, but thanks to Ace Records, they're now available and preserved for posterity. Ram Records was founded in 1956 by session guitarist/songwriter Mira Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana, which at the time was the home of the wildly popular and influential Louisiana Hayride radio show. Since because of this there was a lot of talent flowing into Shreveport, Mira decided to build a studio and try her luck. Commercially most of these records were only regional hits at best(though some were leased out to larger labels such as Chess) and disappeared rather quickly(the original 45's are rare as hen's teeth), but Ram recorded arguably some of the best rock n' roll, r&b and rockabilly of the period. This is a fine overview of Ram's output. Several great tracks here, but some of the standouts include both of the awesome Roy "Boogie Boy" Perkins tracks(if you can listen to Ba Da and you ain't dancin' around the room, then you be dead), the original version of Flat Foot Sam by T.V. Slim, the cool r&b instrumental Red Beans and Rice by Scatman Patin, the rockin' guitar instrumental "Pow Wow", which was recorded by Mira Smith herself under the name Grace Tennessee and the American Spirits, and is reportedly one of Poison Ivy of the Cramps favorite records(and I can see why), and last but not least, what is considered to be one of the greatest and most sought after rockabilly tracks ever recorded, the Lonesome Drifter's "Eager Boy". The original 45 of Eager Boy is EXTREMELY scarce, and fetches thousands of dollars whenever one does turn up at auction. It's easy to see why. Awesome energy with a great guitar lick and way cool backwoods vocals courtesy of the Drifter himself. Overall this is a great compilation, and is well worth the money. There is also a hillbilly/rockabilly compilation, Shreveport High Steppers(which contains ALL the Lonesome Drifter's Ram singles, plus an alternate take of Eager Boy and other stuff recorded in the early 70's) and a blues compilation, Red River Blues. Both are absolutely essential if you love the roots of rock n' roll."