Not many of today’s blues artists can accurately be described as “legendary,” but the title is fitting for Louisiana Red. The 1983 W. C. Handy Award winner (Traditional Male Artist of the Year) was an active member on the blues scene for over half a century and boasts an impressive discography including his Severn Records release, A Different Shade of Red – The Woodstock Sessions.
Born Iverson Minter in 1932, Louisiana Red has every right to sing the blues. His mother passed a week after his birth and his father reportedly suffered an early demise at the hands of the Ku-Klux-Klan. Spending much of his youth in orphanages, he finally settled at an aunt’s home in Pittsburgh, PA, where he had his first taste of guitar at around age 11. Red studied at the hand of the masters, citing Muddy Waters as an early influence and mentor, plus he played alongside another personal hero, John Lee Hooker. His 50+ years in the industry afforded many great moments, including work with Albert King and Carey Bell, plus session work for Chess, Atlas, Checker, and Tomato, among other labels.
On February 12, 2012 Louisiana Red passed away at a hospital in Germany, where he’d been living, due to thyroid complications. He was 79.
DISCOGRPAHY
A Different Shade of Red-The Woodstock Sessions (Severn CD-0016)
The Winter and Summer Sessions (BFY)
Millenium Blues (Earwig CD)
Sittin’ Here Wonderin’ (Earwig)
The Rising Sun Collection (RSC)
Dead Stray Dog (LAB)
Louisiana Red and the Chicago All Stars – Ashland Avenue Blues (Chrisley Records)
Sugar Hips (Ornament)
Stormy Monday Band & Louisiana Red meet Carey Bell – Pretty Woman (Blues Bacon)
Louisiana Red Blues Project (Midnight Rambler)
The Lowdown Back Porch Blues (VG)
Blues for Ida B (JSPCD)
Live in Montreux (LAB)
US Album Releases
Louisiana Guitar Red
Walked All Night Long
Nobody Knows
Sugar Hips
Blues for Ida B
Live in Montreaux
