Work on Levee Blues began in February 1971 at Deep South Recording Studio, and even though it had been planned for release in May, the band did not complete recording until August 1971 with the album release coming in December.

A good review in Billboard foreshadowed a successful run by Levee Blues.

Billboard reported airplay in Kalamazoo, Michigan;[1] Chico, California;[2] De Kalb, Illinois;[3] Long Beach, California;[4] and Bridgeport, Connecticut[5] in the first two months of 1972, and the album hit the Billboard chart at #208 at the end of January.

[6] "Cheer", a cut from the album was released quickly because of the early airplay it had been getting from national disc jockeys and entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #98 on February 12, 1972.

Five weeks later, a constant increase in sales lifted Levee Blues to #168 and "Cheer" to #65.