Folkways Years 1959-73
Urban enough to connect with inner-city blues fans and flexible enough to forge new audiences among starry-eyed blues revivalist on both sides of the Atlantic, Memphis Slim was what would now be called a crossover artist. Like his friend and frequent musical foilWillie Dixon, the pianist-vocalist was amiable and adaptable--characteristics that also came across in their music.The Folkways Yearscaptures the man born Peter Chapman in a variety of sessions cut over a decade and a half. Slim and Dixon tackle "Joggie Boogie," "Stewball," "Beer-Drinking Woman," and Slim's trademark tune "Everyday I Have the Blues." A number of solo tracks and small ensemble pieces (many including guitaristMatt Murphy) add texture to the collection. And there's even a rather stiff Slim-Dixon-Pete Seegertake on "Midnight Special" that illustrates producer and Folkways head Moses Asch's efforts to give Memphis Slim's sophisticated blues a folksy slant. The handsome package and 65-page illustrated booklet add value to this satisfying anthology.--Steven Stolder