The Very Best of Memphis Slim: Messin' Around With the Blues

• Artist: Memphis Slim
• Rating:
• Release Date: November 09, 2004
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Blues

Review

Drawing his recording moniker of Memphis Slim from his lanky six-foot five-inch frame, blues pianist Peter Chatman was instrumental in bringing a jazzy, urban sensibility to the blues in the mid '40s. This generous 27-track collection features recordings he made between 1946 and 1948, first with Hy-Tone Records, the masters of which were purchased by King Records and released as singles in 1948 and 1949, and then with Miracle Records, which were re-released as 78 singles by Federal Records, a King subsidiary, in 1951. Slim's jazz-inflected uptown sound (usually driven by merged alto and tenor saxes) is in full force on these tracks, giving the whole disc a remarkable unity of tone. Highlights include some lightning-fueled jazz blues romps like "Slim's Boogie," "Pacemaker Boogie," and "Harlem Bound," along with samples of Slim's prolific songwriting like the endlessly clever "Kilroy Was Here" and his signature tune, "Nobody Loves Me," which became better known as "Everyday I Have the Blues" in later versions by B.B. King, Joe Williams, Lowell Fulson, and others. At over 75 minutes in length, this compilation delivers bang for the buck, and makes an ideal introduction to the tall genius of Memphis Slim. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Cheatin' Around	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:52)
A Letter Home	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:51)
Now I Got the Blues	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:30)
Grinder Man Blues	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:50)
Don't Ration Love	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:48)
Slim's Boogie	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:48)
Little Mary	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(3:10)
Mistake in Life	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:45)
Darling I Miss You So	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(3:04)
Lend Me Your Love	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:58)
Life's Like That	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:55)
Nobody Loves Me	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:34)
Motherless Child	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:56)
Pacemaker Boogie	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:49)
Messin' Around	Floyd Hunt	Memphis Slim	(2:51)
Midnight Jump	Ernest Cotton	Memphis Slim	(2:45)
Harlem Bound	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:41)
Kilroy Was Here	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:46)
Rocking the House	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:47)
Blue and Lonesome	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:38)
Country Girl	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:49)
Angel Child	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:55)
Believe I'll Settle Down	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:46)
Frisco Bay	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:49)
Help Me Some	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:23)
Throw This Poor Dog a Bone	Peter Chatman	Memphis Slim	(2:54)
Timsy's Whimsy		Memphis Slim	(2:54)

Credits

Walter DeVenne (Audio Supervisor), Victor Pearlin (Liner Notes), Peter Chatman (Performer), Victor Pearlin (Compilation)