Album Review: Slow Blues Featuring Magic Slim & John Primer

The recently released double album, Slow Blues, featuring the late Magic Slim and the venerable John Primer, is an evocative journey through the essence of Chicago blues. This album, meticulously reviewed by Rootstime.be, is a tribute to the genre’s rich heritage, showcasing the profound talents of two legendary blues guitarists and vocalists who, despite their differing paths, shared a deep connection through their work with The Teardrops, Magic Slim’s iconic backing band.

Magic Slim, born Morris Holt, earned his nickname from the esteemed blues musician Magic Sam while playing bass in his band during the late 1950s in Chicago. Slim’s journey took him back to Mississippi before returning to Chicago in 1965, where he formed The Teardrops. With his brother Nico on bass, Magic Slim carved out a name for himself in the city’s vibrant blues scene. By the 1980s, his recordings for labels like Alligator and Rooster Blues earned him several W.C. Handy Awards, cementing his status as a blues giant. His influence only grew when John Primer, who had previously played with Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon, joined The Teardrops in 1982. Slim’s last album was released in 2012, a year before his passing at 75.

John Primer, born on March 5, 1945, in Camden, Mississippi, is a bluesman whose journey began in the church choir. Influenced by the likes of Jimmy Reed and B.B. King, Primer moved to Chicago in 1963, forming The Maintainers and later joining The Brotherhood. His signature “Primer Lump” guitar style, developed during his years playing at Theresa’s Lounge, a renowned blues club in Chicago, set him apart. His tenure with Willie Dixon’s Chicago Blues All-Stars and later as the leader of Muddy Waters’ band only added to his blues credentials. Primer’s collaboration with Magic Slim in The Teardrops was a pivotal moment in his career, ultimately leading to his successful solo endeavors.

Slow Blues is a collection of 16 tracks, including three originals, that showcases the raw energy and emotional depth that define blues music. With alternating vocals from Magic Slim and John Primer, the album is a tapestry of stories and melodies, woven together by Slim’s powerful guitar and Primer’s masterful slide guitar. Recorded live between 1986 and 1993 in Vienna and Chicago, the core band features Nick Holt on bass, Earl Howell or Michael Scott on drums, and Stanley Banks on keyboards. The album also includes guest appearances, such as Billy Branch on blues harp for “Country Boy” in Chicago in July 1992, and a 2020 recording in Vienna featuring Jon McDonald on guitar, Andrew Howard on bass, and Earl Howell on drums.

The influence of Muddy Waters, also known as McKinley Morganfield, is evident throughout the album, with covers of his classics like “I Wonder Who (Who’s Gonna Be Your Sweet Man),” “Country Boy,” and “You Can’t Lose What You Ain’t Never Had.” Additionally, the album features two previously unreleased tracks: “Just to Be with You,” recorded in Vienna in 1998, and “I Am a Blues Man” by John Primer, recorded in Austria in 1995.

Rootstime.be praises Slow Blues as a timeless collection that not only highlights the individual talents of Magic Slim and John Primer but also pays homage to the enduring spirit of Chicago blues. This album is a must-listen for any blues aficionado, capturing the heart and soul of a genre that continues to resonate across generations.

“Slow Blues ft. Magic Slim & John Primer: a timeless journey through the heart and soul of Chicago Blues…”