This listing features a premium, beautifully preserved 10-inch shellac 78 RPM record: "Shout Baby Shout" (Matrix ACA 1140) [image_wDJ_Xc.png] backed with "Ethel Mae" (Matrix ACA 1141) [image_XPrc7y.png] (Catalog Number: Freedom 1517). Released in 1949 by the highly sought-after Houston, Texas-based Freedom Recording Company, this release features the raw, powerful vocals of L.C. Williams driving hard alongside the razor-sharp instrumental backing of Conney’s Combo (led by guitarist J.C. Conney).
Issued in 1949, this record documents the explosive birth of the post-WWII independent rhythm and blues movement in Houston, Texas. In the late 1940s, a major demographic shift occurred as southern Black labor migrated toward thriving Gulf Coast industrial and shipyard centers. This economic surge created a booming, self-sustaining nightlife circuit hungry for a new sound. Because major record conglomerates overlooked localized regional scenes, trailblazing independent labels stepped in to fill the market demand. Freedom Records captured this exact historical pivot point, documenting a raw, rural Texas country blues heritage as it collided with urban, amplified electrification. The driving rhythms found on this release directly presaged the rock-and-roll revolution of the coming decade.

The Lightning Connection: L.C. Williams was famously nicknamed "Lightnin' Jr." due to his close personal and professional relationship with Texas blues giant Lightnin' Hopkins, whose vocal style he heavily channelled.

The Label’s Rarity: The Freedom Recording Company operated for only a brief period between 1948 and 1952, making clean originals on this imprint exceptionally difficult to locate today.

The Master Session: This particular session captures a highly sought-after performance by J.C. Conney, a master of early Texas electric blues guitar whose stabbing note choices heavily influenced the Houston regional sound.
Condition Report
Visual Grade: EE+ (Excellent Plus)
Surface: Exceptional condition retaining brilliant original factory gloss across both sides. The shellac shows next to no scuffs and handles light under close inspection with absolute minimal signs of historical play.
Label: The crisp blue-and-silver Freedom text labels are remarkably clean, crisp, and bright with zero spindle wear and beautifully legible printing
Runout: Deadwax features clear, crisp original matrix stampings (ACA 1140-F-1517 / ACA-1141-F-1517)

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Postage & Packing Information
We are specialists in the secure transit of highly fragile pre-war and post-war shellac recordings. This record will be packaged using a comprehensive, multi-stage archival method:.Fixed securely between heavy internal layers of rigid card stiffeners to completely eliminate flexing.
Encased in multiple thick layers of professional shock-absorbent bubble wrap.
Suspended safely within an oversized, heavy-duty, double-skin corrugated cardboard box.
Packed entirely void-free to guarantee zero internal shifting or movement during international transit.

Your order will be carefully packed and promptly dispatched.