Memphis Slim (Born 03/09/1915, Died 24/02/1988)

Born Peter Chapman, Memphis Slim became one of the most popular blues players of his period, combining boogie woogie piano with a sophisticated vocal delivery. He was also a prolific songwriter, his best known composition is 'Everyday I Have The Blues' (Nobody Loves Me), recorded by everybody and his dog and a song that has received blues, jazz and soul treatments over the years. He had a series of successful single releases, including 'Messin' Around', 'Blue And Lonesome', 'Mother Earth' and 'The Come Back' in the late 40s and early 50s, although he had started out on his career as early as 1934.

He was born and raised in Memphis but in the late '30s, he resettled in Chicago and began recording as a leader in 1939 for OKeh, then switched over to Bluebird the next year. After serving as Big Bill Broonzy's accompanist for a few years, Slim emerged as his own man in 1944. After the war, and throughout the 40s and 50s, Slim kept label hopping, recording some classic blues tunes along the way. Among then were 'Rockin' The House', 'Nobody Loves Me' 'Messin Around' and the great and much recorded 'Mother Earth'.

In the 1960s he moved to Paris and worked extensively in Europe from this base until his death in 1988. Sessions he recorded throughout the 60s veered towards a black tie form of music which went down particularly well at Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival. Conversely, this popularity upset some blues purists who view his work as overly commercial and who definitely get a tad upset by a bluesman achieving any kind of popular acclaim - maybe that's another reason to sit down and enjoy his good humoured and relaxed music making!

There are still a number of his CDs available to try. "Everyday I Have The Blues" (Platinum) is a fine introduction to one of the great Blues pianists. Twenty-five of the best tracks recorded in what many would say was his heyday between 1940 and 1948. The songs on this album range from Slim's unique take on risqué humour to true lowdown blues. There are a couple of good talking blues as well, reminiscent of Nat King Cole's work at the same time, and a nod to the contemporary jump blues of Louis Jordan. Don't know how long it will remain in print though!