West Side Soul

Released

Magic Sam was one of a trio of artists — the other two were Otis Rush and Buddy Guy — who revolutionized Chicago blues guitar playing with their striking tremolo sound. Born in Mississippi in 1937, he moved to Chicago at 19 and began recording for the Cobra label, releasing numerous singles in the late 1950s. In 1967, he signed with Delmark and released this album, which showcased his stinging, reverb-heavy guitar solos and his soulful vocals. The album includes a re-recording of “All Your Love,” one of his 1950s singles, as well as takes on several songs made popular by other artists, like “My Love Will Never Die” (Otis Rush), “Sweet Home Chicago” (Robert Johnson), and “Mama Talk To Your Daughter” (J.B. Lenoir), but it’s such a rocking, vibrantly alive album that it doesn’t matter if the material is familiar.

Phil Freeman

Suggestions
One Way Out cover

One Way Out

Sonny Boy Williamson II
Green Onions cover

Green Onions

Booker T. & the M.G.'s
Roy Buchanan cover

Roy Buchanan

Roy Buchanan
Crusade cover

Crusade

The Bluesbreakers, John Mayall
Sin and Soul cover

Sin and Soul

Oscar Brown, Jr.