Sunnyland Slim
Smile On My Face
(Delmark 735)
I love Sunnyland Slim! I can't think of another artist
in the Chicago blues scene that was such a wellspring or driving force for
the music to be created and recorded (well, except for Willie Dixon!).
Having been the A&R man for Aristocrat Records (which became Chess
Records) in the late 40s, he helped many famous artists launch their
careers. The list is as long as your arm and then some, including greats
like Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Jimmy Rogers, to name just a few. I
have always loved his music, even the poorly recorded examples, even the
cuts that weren't up to par with some of his better stuff. His piano
playing is infectious, and his singing leaves me cold. These recordings
are from the Ralph Bass sessions of 1977, where Sunny was both frontman
and supporting sideman, which was a plus in putting together a full length
CD version. Bass, who had recorded greats no less than T-Bone Walker,
James Brown and Little Esther, was no stranger to producing a good blues
session. Originally the idea was to record a ten album series (9 tracks
per record) of different obscure Chicago artists for the T.K. label, and
title them 'Chicago Roots.' What better person for Bass to go to for
talent than Sunnyland Slim. Sunny brought Below and Co. (Fred's house band
at Louise's club, including Lacy Gibson and Willie Black) along with
Willie Williams, Lee Jackson, and Joe Carter and recorded enough material
over four nights for five LPs. The project was shelved before it was fully
realized, and the recordings sat dormant until they were released by Red
Lightnin' Records in 1984-85. This is a good blues session. Sunnyland
along with Lacy Gibson on guitar and Fred Below on drums make this a must
have recording. Along with Willie Black on bass and filled out with Lee
Jackson's guitar and vocal tracks and Lacy Gibson adding one vocal, this
serves to fill out the CD. About the only thing I don't like about the
sessions is some of the bass lines are uninspiring and overall too loud,
but not enough to draw me away from Sunnyland's hypnotic spell. My hat is
off to Bob Koester of Delmark for finally releasing this material in the
States. It is an inside look at what an informal club type session in
Chicago would sound like, and is much welcomed by Sunnyland fans
everywhere.
- Brian 'Hash Brown' Calway -
Southwest Blues CD Review - January 2000
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