Search - Various Artists :: Unissued 1963 Blues Festival

****1/2, actually

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 01/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded live in Oberhausen, Germany in 1963, these 11 songs feature Memphis Slim and Sonny Boy Williamson (II) backed by Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Willie Dixon, and drummer Bill Stepney.

Portions of this tour have seen previous release, but this particular show was formerly quite rare, and this CD captures some truly smoking performances, particularly Memphis Slim's rarely-heard "I Wrote This Song", and Sonny Boy Williamson's "All My Love In Vain".



But this is all highlights, really. Memphis Slim delivers three superbly swinging, strongly rhythmic tunes and a suave "In The Evening" with power and conviction, including a sizzling up-tempo reading of Big Bill Broonzy's "All By Myself" which he introduces as "a Big Bill Broonzy tune, along with Peter Chatman, the writer". Himself, that is...Memphis Slim was actually John Len Chatman, but he called himself Peter, which was his father's first name.



Matt "Guitar" Murphy is up front on two instrumentals, the mid-tempo "Groovin' On Bounce", and the equally appropriately titled "Taking Off". And Aleck "Rice" Miller does a solo "99", and a full-lenght "Bye Bye Bird" which are really good, and three gritty band-backed numbers which are magnificent.

Fans of both Slim and Rice Miller should rush to this wonderful album right away."