© Bluestronomical Publishing Inc. 2007

Magic Slim
Tin Pan Alley
Wolf 120.809 CD

Originally born in Torrence, Mississippi, Morris Holt received his nickname from lifelong mentor, guitar great Magic Sam. Slim moved to Chicago in the ’60s and by 1972 he had replaced Hound Dog Taylor as the house band for a prominent South Side Blues club. The country is still in Slim’s heart and sole, it just comes out in an urbanized electric manner. Slim’s instantly recognizable guitar solos are abrasive and his vocal chords have been scratched with sandpaper. He has a unique guitar sound, as can be heard on "Texas Flood," thanks in part to his picking hand having sustained damage in a cotton gin accident many years ago.

These aggressive 12 songs, including six originals written by Magic Slim, were recorded between 1992 and 1998. Half are studio cuts and half were recorded live. The latter tracks, which include alternating guitar solos from John Primer and Magic Slim, prove Slim sounds the same on stage as in the studio. The Teardrops were at their best when unheralded guitarist Primer was in the band. He features on nine of the tracks. Other band members include Nick Holt (bass), Earl Howell and Alan Kirk (drums) and Michael Dotson (guitar).

Bluesmen from Slim’s generation knew the music was all about the song and its rhythm. It wasn’t about a blistering and never-ending guitar solo. "She Was Walking Down Through The Park" is a prime example. The Teardrops instantly lock into a groove that you can dance to on "Tell Me What You Got On Your Mind". Here, Slim’s vocals are as gruff as his gritty guitar. On "Please Don’t Leave Me," the band maneuvers like a train clanging down a track. Like the shrill blast of a trumpet, the guitar’s notes are sharp and piercing on "Close To You". "Cold-Hearted Woman" is a brilliant slow blues as well as a defining moment for recorded blues in the late 20th Century. Listen as Slim pulls the strings like a madman shooting at the world to remove all the evil. On "Goin’ To California," he makes his strings pulsate with a rattle while squeezing a bit of Jimmy Reed into his playing.

Musically the songs, which are mainly about male and female relationship problems, do not feature much that Slim hasn’t done before. In fact, after the first few shuffles and basic boogies, you do not hear a lot more that’s new or different. That doesn’t matter because you’ll enjoy the feeling made by the unrefined music. It’s the straight up, pure and rough blues that Magic Slim is well known for.
This CD is well worth seeking if you are a Magic Slim fan.

- Tim Holek -


Southwest Blues CD Review - June 2007

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