Memphis Slim at The Gate of Horn – Reissue
A different approach to the blues compared to Furry Lewis, Muddy Waters, or Sonny Boy Williamson is the warm, slick, horn-driven big blues band of seminal pianist Memphis Slim (John Len Chatman). However, this blues is closely rooted to the early rock ‘n’ roll of the ‘60s that relied on the hot sax strains as displayed delightfully on “The Comeback” & “Steppin’ Out.” A profusion of stabbing guitar & slip ‘n’ slidin’ piano also features prominently & runs drenched through what was the original sound & intention of rhythm & blues. This is a prime example of it.
“Blue & Lonesome” is like Cab Calloway doing the blues rather than his Swing novelty numbers. But Memphis Slim was a smoothly articulate blues artist. He understood the value of being an entertainer as well. Tight arrangements & suave Brook Benton tone elevate Memphis Slim’s voice — but he’s not a middle-of-the-road/easy listening singer. He’s also a forefather of rock n’ roll when his band strides through the muscular music of “Rockin’ the Blues” & “Gotta Find My Baby.”
Criticism? Yeah, “Rockin’ the Blues” didn’t last long enough…2:12, give me a break. I was just starting to snap my fingers. The whole album is a little slim at 34 minutes. This set was released in 1959 as Memphis Slim at The Gate of Horn (Drops Aug 1/Craft-Concord/Vee-Jay Recordings) & whoever tweaked the knobs at the board at these sessions knew a thing or two about audio perfection. Great recording despite its briefness.
“Gotta Find My Baby” is a hot number with honking saxes (ala The Rockin’ Rebels’ “Wild Weekend” tone – this is what they probably listened to) & Memphis Slim’s confident vocals. Slim had been performing since the 1930s in honky-tonks, dance halls & gambling joints. Playing with big bands, performing jump blues & later with smaller groups when major record labels lost interest in the genre. Every performance on this showcase is energetic & indulgent. It’s an album that’s sophisticated in every respect (piano, vocals, horns, lyrics, performances) & is a must-have for any blues purist.
Spin it with confidence. Bring your dance shoes & lots of ice water. Behave yourself. But have a great time. Memphis Slim & the boys will bring the rest. Just as they did in 1959.
Some musicians were uncredited on the original record jacket, but a little research uncovered these names from other Gate of Horn albums. Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Studs Terkel wrote the original liner notes.
Highlights – “The Comeback,” “Steppin’ Out,” “Blue & Lonesome,” “Slim’s Blues,” “Rockin’ the Blues,” “Gotta Find My Baby,” “Wish Me Well,” “Lend Me Your Love,” & “Sassy Mae.”
Musicians – Matt “Guitar” Murphy (electric guitar), Alex Atkins (alto sax), Ernest Cotton & John Calvin (tenor saxes), Sam Chatmon (bass), & Billie Stepney (drums).
B&W image courtesy of Valentine Photographers/Chicago. CD @ Bandcamp & Amazon + https://craftrecordings.com/products/at-the-gate-of-horn-bluesville-series-180g-lp
