Search - Magic Slim & Teardrops :: Raw Magic

The greatest Chicago blues album ever

08/01/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a fan of Chicago blues and you have never heard of Magic Slim, go immediately and get as many CDs of his as you can find. "Raw Magic" is the very best one, and my favorite blues album of all time. Although it is in part a compilation of some earlier released material, it holds together like a perfect studio album should (for those who think the best blues is live blues, take a listen to this CD). Magic has a powerful voice to match his tremulous and beautifully jarring guitar playing. The rhythm guitarist, Jr. Pettis, lays down pulsating chords around Magic's solos that almost sound like an organ. Nate Applewhite and Nick Holt work the drums and bass hard. That's all there is to the sound -- no horns, no piano, no nothing; for my money, the best Chicago blues is exactly that: 2 guitars, a bass, and drums. All the songs on this album are perfect, but especially check out Slim's version of "Mustang Sally" and "In the Heart of the Blu! es" (there is a certain point in the latter, during one of Slim's solos, where I can actually see God, no joke)."

Not a single wasted note

T. Woods | Mid-Atlantic, USA | 09/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I spent a lot of time listening to Slim at the Checkerboard Lounge in Chicago in the early 80s when this album was cut. It captures the energy of his live performances. "Gravel Road" has to be one of the tightest blues songs ever recorded."