MAGIC SLIM

The Essential Magic Slim

Blind Pig Records

BPCD 8009

By Tim Holek

Originally born Morris Holt in Torrence, Mississippi, Magic Slim has been described as “the greatest living proponent of the intense, electrified, Mississippi-to-Chicago blues style.” This statement seems to hold more truth as contemporary blues (as played by others) dwarfs into rock ‘n’ roll and the blues greats pass away. Slim has recorded for many labels during his lengthy career. The bulk of his aggressive recordings have been on Wolf and Blind Pig. The music on this CD – culled from Slim’s six previous Blind Pig releases – is raw and rough, which is just like the Chicago clubs where Slim developed his style of blues. He left Mississippi long ago but you’ll never extract those roots. The country is still in Slim’s heart and soul. Listen as it comes out in an urbanized electric manner on each of these rudimentary sounding songs.

            Slim’s stinging guitar notes and sandpaper-like vocals are prominently featured on 15 gritty, urban, and electric blues songs. The string slashing begins with Before You Accuse Me and it continues for a full hour. How Many More Years – another one of seven covers – is given an ultra-tough sound that is so heavy, it appears angry. Think is a scuffling song that accurately represents Slim’s abrasive blues. It has a basic rhythm and a cutting guitar solo that is extreme. Scufflin’ is a boogieing shuffle with a guitar solo that sounds like it is being played by Hound Dog Taylor. Slim moved to Chicago in the ’60s and by 1972 he had replaced Taylor as the house band for a prominent South Side blues club. Black Tornado is an instrumental lightening rod. In general, I’m not a fan of anyone’s take on Mustang Sally but Slim’s version is enjoyable especially thanks to the confident vocal harmonies of John Primer. The Teardrops – Slim’s longtime backing band – were at their best when unheralded guitarist Primer was in the group. Other notable members who appear on these recordings are Michael Dotson (guitar), Jake Dawson (guitar), Nick Holt (bass), and Allen Kirk (drums). 

            Determined to remain true to his roots, Slim puts a twist on the common tale of migrating north. He tells about doing the exact opposite on Goin’ To Mississippi. Please Don’t Dog Me is a slow burner about a Miss Mistreater. Don’t be fooled to believe that Slim is just a mad guitar slasher. Crazy Woman – a slow, minor key blues – is a masterpiece where Slim displays emotive vocals and guitar playing. The song contains downhome lyrics with humorous analogies like (“I got a crazy woman/She got a mind like a goose/I think I’m gonna buy me a tool box/I believe that woman got some screws loose”). 

            The vocals are indeed rough and they are not always comprehendible. That’s alright because it’s Slim’s vibrato guitar and distinct Chicago blues that people want to hear. As with any Slim disc, there is not a lot of diversity in the songs or their rhythms. Still, the music on this disc is the type of pure blues you can listen to for hours. No wonder he is one of Blind Pig’s most popular artists.  

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