Albert Luandrew
b. September 5th, 1906 in Vance (Mississippi)
d. March 17th, 1995 in Chicago (Illinois)
THE CHRONOLOGICAL SUNNYLAND SLIM
Classics
June 1947 - 1948
April 1949 - December 1951
October 1952 - 1955
SUNNYLAND SLIM AND HIS PALS
JSP
June 1947 - 1955
Originaire du Mississippi, il s'installe à Memphis en 1925 puis rejoint finalement Chicago en 1942. Dans cette ville où le Blues électrique est en train de naitre, Sunnyland devient un pianiste réputé, d'abord sous l'influence du Doctor Clayton, dans la grande tradition des barrelhouses. Sa première séance en leader a lieu en juin 1947 pour Hy-Tone. Accompagné du superbe guitariste Lonnie Johnson, Slim grave notamment "Brownskin woman", "My heavy load". Puis, il enregistre pour les frères Chess, pour leur label Aristocrat, avec la guitare de Muddy Waters : "Johnson machine gun", "Fly right little girl", "She ain't nowhere". Pour RCA-Victor, sous le nom de Doctor Clayton's Buddy, il chante dans le plus pur style de son modèle accompagné par Blind John Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Ransom Knowling et Judge Riley ("Farewell little girl", "Broke and hungry", "Nappy head woman"). Puis, il travaille aussi pour Opera 5 ("Train time"), Apollo ("Hard time"), Mercury ("Hit the road again"), Sunny ("Back to Korea blues" avec l'harmonica de Snooky Pryor), Regal ("Orphan boy blues"), Club 51 ("Sad and lonesome"). Pour le label J.O.B., Slim propose "Down home child", l'instrumental "Sunnyland special", accompagné par le guitariste Robert Lockwood Jr. Slim enregistre aussi pour le label Chance une poignée de titres ("When I was young", l'instrumental "Bassology") qui paraissent finalement sur la marque Constellation. On trouve aussi une séance pour Vee-Jay (qui était restée inédite jusqu'à la parution du CD Classics) avec Snooky Pryor, Floyd Jones et Eddie Taylor : "Troubles of my own", "I done you wrong".
Originally from Mississippi, he settled in Memphis in 1925 then finally joined Chicago in 1942. In this city where electric Blues was born, Sunnyland became a renowned pianist, first under the influence of Doctor Clayton, in the great tradition of barrelhouses. His first session as a leader took place in june 1947 for Hy-Tone. Accompanied by superb guitarist Lonnie Johnson, Slim notably records "Brownskin woman", "My heavy load". Then, he recorded for the Chess brothers, for their Aristocrat label, with the guitar of Muddy Waters : "Johnson machine gun", "Fly right little girl", "She ain't nowhere". For RCA-Victor, under the name of Doctor Clayton's Buddy, he sings in the purest style of his model accompanied by Blind John Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Ransom Knowling and Judge Riley ("Farewell little girl", "Broke and hungry", "Nappy head woman"). Then, he also worked for Opera 5 ("Train time"), Apollo ("Hard time"), Mercury ("Hit the road again"), Sunny ("Back to Korea blues" with Snooky Pryor's harmonica), Regal ("Orphan boy blues"), Club 51 ("Sad and lonesome"). For the J.O.B. label, Slim offers "Down home child", the instrumental "Sunnyland special", accompanied by the guitarist Robert Lockwood Jr. Slim also recorded for the Chance label a handful of titles ("When I was young", the instrumental "Bassology") which finally appeared on the Constellation label. We also finds a session for Vee-Jay (which had remained unreleased until the release of the Classics CD) with Snooky Pryor, Floyd Jones and Eddie Taylor : "Troubles of my own", "I done you wrong".
SUNNYLAND SPECIAL
Westside
February 1951 - 1956
Ce superbe CD regroupe les faces de Sunnyland Slim pour J.O.B, Chance/Constellation et Cobra. On trouve les superbes "Down home child" avec la guitare de Robert Lockwood Jr, "When I was young" et "Worried about my baby" avec le saxophone de J.T. Brown et la guitare de J.B. Lenoir, et, bien entendu, "Highway 51" (disponible en quatre versions) avec l'harmonica de "Big" Walter Horton. Assurément, une des meilleures parties de l'oeuvre copieuse de Sunnyland Slim pendant l'âge d'or du Chicago Blues. En fin de programme, on trouve également des titres de Floyd Jones et de Robert Lockwood Jr.
This superb CD gathers the sides of Sunnyland Slim for J.O.B, Chance/Constellation and Cobra. We find the superb "Down home child" with the guitar of Robert Lockwood Jr, "When I was young" and "Worried about my baby" with J.T. Brown's saxophone and J.B. Lenoir's guitar, and, of course, "Highway 51" (available in four versions) with "Big" Walter Horton's harmonica. Certainly, one of the best parts of Sunnyland Slim's copious work during the Chicago Blues' heyday. At the end of the program, there are also titles by Floyd Jones and Robert Lockwood Jr.
CHICAGO ROCK
Redita
1959
Dans cette anthologie, on trouve un titre de Sunnyland Slim ("Something is going wrong") enregistré pour le label LaSalle de Jump Jackson mais resté inédit.
In this anthology, there is a track by Sunnyland Slim ("Something is going wrong") recorded for Jump Jackson's LaSalle label but remained unreleased.
CHICAGO BLUES SESSION
77
Southland
THE LASALLE CHICAGO BLUES RECORDINGS vol.1
Wolf
July 1960
Enregistré dans le garage-studio de Jump Jackson sur LaSalle Street à Chicago par Paul Oliver, le disque est partagé entre Sunnyland Slim et Little Brother Montgomery. Slim délivre de bons moments comme "Prison bound", "Brownskin woman", "Devil is a busy man" et l'instrumental "LaSalle St boogie". La version CD de Southland ajoute de nombreux titres inédits.
Recorded in Jump Jackson's garage-studio on LaSalle Street in Chicago by Paul Oliver, the record is shared between Sunnyland Slim and Little Brother Montgomery. Slim delivers good moments like "Prison bound", "Brownskin woman", "Devil is a busy man" and the instrumental "LaSalle St boogie". The Southland CD version adds many previously unreleased tracks.
JUMP JACKSON CHICAGO BLUES SESSION
Private Pressing
JUMP JACKSON 1960's BLUES PARTY
Blue Eye (only on mp3)
Summer 1960
Ces titres furent enregistrés par Jump Jackson chez lui pour son label LaSalle à l'été 1960. La qualité sonore n'est pas toujours très bonne mais il s'agit d'un document intéressant. Il y a deux titres dans le LP Private Pressing mais Gérard Herzhaft en a ajouté deux autres dans son recueil.
These titles were recorded by Jump Jackson at his home for his LaSalle label in the summer of 1960. The sound quality is not always very good but it is an interesting document. There are two titles in the LP Private Pressing but Gérard Herzhaft added two more tracks in his collection.
SLIM'S SHOUT
Bluesville
ANTHOLOGIE DU BLUES vol.9
Vogue
September 1960
Pour cet album, le producteur Esmond Edwards associe Sunnyland Slim avec des musiciens de New York (King Curtis et ses superbes solos de saxophone, Robert Banks très présent à l'orgue, Leonard Gaskin, Belton Evans). L'entente et le feeling entre les musiciens fonctionnent parfaitement. Entre Blues et Jazz, Slim délivre de superbes morceaux comme "Slim's shout", "The devil is a busy man", "Shake it", "Sunnyland special". La version CD ajoute deux morceaux supplémentaires.
For this album, producer Esmond Edwards associates Sunnyland Slim with New York musicians (King Curtis and his superb saxophone solos, Robert Banks very present on organ, Leonard Gaskin, Belton Evans). The understanding and the feeling between the musicians work perfectly. Between Blues and Jazz, Slim delivers superb tracks like "Slim's shout", "The devil is a busy man", "Shake it", Sunnyland special. The CD version adds two additional tracks.
CHICAGO AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A BLUES BAND
Delmark
1960
Deux morceaux gravés par Slim pour le label Atomic-H, les excellents "Recession blues" et "Everything's gonna be all right".
Two tracks recorded by Slim for the Atomic-H label, the excellent "Recession blues" and "Everything's gonna be all right".
BLUES PIANO ORGY
Delmark
May 1963
Dans cette anthologie supervisée par Robert Koester, on trouve deux morceaux inédits dans la version LP ("Everytime I get to drinkin'") et deux supplémentaires dans la réédition CD ("Poor boy").
This anthology, supervised by Robert Koester, includes two previously unreleased tracks on the LP version (“Everytime I get to drinkin'”) and two additional tracks on the CD reissue (“Poor boy”).
LIVE IN 63
Fuel 2000
July 1963
Une soirée dans un club du West Side de Chicago capturée par Norman Dayron. On entend principalement Sunnyland Slim et J.B. Lenoir avec l'appui occasionnel de John Lee Granderson, St Louis Jimmy et même le jeune Mike Bloomfield. Slim joue en leader sur plus de la moitié des pistes.
An evening at a Chicago West Side club captured by Norman Dayron. We mainly hear Sunnyland Slim and J.B. Lenoir with occasional support from John Lee Granderson, St Louis Jimmy and even young Mike Bloomfield. Slim plays as a leader on more than half of the tracks.
CHICAGO BLUES
Spivey
March 1964
On trouve dans cette anthologie, produite par Len Kunstadt et Victoria Spivey, deux morceaux de Sunnyland Slim : "Won't do that no more" (dans laquelle il joue de l'orgue) et "Drinking".
We find in this anthology, produced by Len Kunstadt and Victoria Spivey, two tracks of Sunnyland Slim : "Won't do that no more" (in which he plays organ) and "Drinking".
SOUTHSIDE CHICAGO
Python
I BLUESKVARTER vol.1 & 3
Jefferson
May 1964
Pour documenter une série d'émissions radiophoniques sur le blues, le suédois Olle Helander fait quelques séjours à Chicago à partir de mai 1964. Il s'installe au Sutherland Lounge de Chicago pour enregistrer et interviewer les artistes de la ville. Slim joue plusieurs morceaux avec sa verve habituelle et bien accompagné par la guitare de Mike Bloomfield. On retient en particulier "It's you baby", "Brownskin woman" et "Prison bound".
To document a radio series on the blues, the swedish Olle Helander made several trips to Chicago in may 1964. He settled at Sutherland Lounge in Chicago to record and interview the artists of the city. Slim plays several songs with his usual verve and well accompanied by the guitar of Mike Bloomfield. We particularly point out "It's you baby", "Brownskin woman" and "Prison bound".
BLUES SOUTHSIDE CHICAGO
Decca
1964
Deux excellents morceaux gravés en compagnie de Buddy Guy : "I got to get to my baby" et "Everytime I get to drinking".
Two excellent tracks recorded with Buddy Guy : "I got to get to my baby" and "Everytime I get to drinking".
PORTRAITS IN BLUES vol.8
Storyville
BLUES MASTERS
Storyville
October 1964
De passage en Europe grâce à la tournée de l'American Folk Blues Festival, Sunnyland Slim enregistre cette séance au Danemark pour le label Storyville de Karl Emil Knudsen. Il délivre son blues seul au piano. Voix forte, solide jeu au piano, un bon programme de Chicago Blues. Le LP original a été enrichi de quatre morceaux supplémentaires (déjà parus dans diverses anthologies du label) dans la version CD "Blues masters".
Passing through Europe thanks to the American Folk Blues Festival tour, Sunnyland Slim recorded this session in Denmark for Karl Emil Knudsen's Storyville label. He delivers his blues alone on piano. Strong voice, solid piano playing, a good Chicago Blues program. The original LP has been enhanced with four additional tracks (already issued in various anthologies of this label) in the "Blues masters" CD version.
BARRELHOUSE BLUES & BOOGIE WOOGIE vol.2
Storyville
October 1964 / May 1973
Dans cette anthologie, on trouve quatre morceaux inédits de Sunnyland Slim : l'instrumental "Boogie woogie" issu de la séance d'octobre 1964 et "Little and low", "Roadhouse boogie", "The devil is a busy man" issus d'une autre séance danoise de mai 1973.
In this anthology, there are four previously unreleased tracks by Sunnyland Slim : the instrumental "Boogie woogie" from the october 1964 session and "Little and low", "Roadhouse boogie", "The devil is a busy man" from another danish session in may 1973.
BARRELHOUSE BLUES & BOOGIE WOOGIE vol.3
Storyville
October 1964
Deux morceaux issus de la séance d'octobre 1964 : "Mary Lee" et "Business before pleasure".
Two tracks from the october 1964 session: "Mary Lee" and "Business before pleasure".
AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL '64
Fontana
L+R
October 1964
Un des grands pianistes de Blues de Chicago, Sunnyland Slim est naturellement invité à participer à la tournée de l'American Folk Blues Festival de 1964. Superbement accompagné par Hubert Sumlin, Willie Dixon et Clifton James, il délivre une belle version de son "Everytime I get to drinkin'".
One of the great Chicago Blues pianists, Sunnyland Slim was naturally invited to take part in the 1964 American Folk Blues Festival tour. Superbly accompanied by Hubert Sumlin, Willie Dixon and Clifton James, he delivers a beautiful version of his "Everytime I get to drinkin'".
BYE BYE BIRD SOLO BLUES
Scout
October 1964
Seul au piano, Slim donne une superbe version du traditionnel "Levee camp moan" lors de l'American Folk Blues Festival.
Alone on piano, Slim gives a superb version of the traditional "Levee camp moan" during the American Folk Blues Festival.
AMERICAN FOLK BLUES
Amiga
HUBERT'S AMERICAN BLUES
Scout
BLUES ANYTIME
L+R
Evidence
November 1964
Cet album fut enregistré par le producteur allemand Horst Lippmann dans les studios Amiga de Berlin-Est pendant la tournée de l'American Folk Blues Festival. Il regroupe les musiciens de la tournée comme Sunnyland Slim, Hubert Sumlin, Willie Dixon et Clifton James. Sunnyland prend 5 titres en leader (bien que l'album ait parfois été attribué à Hubert Sumlin uniquement) dont "It's you my baby" ou "Too late for me to pray".
This album was recorded by german producer Horst Lippmann at the Amiga studios in East Berlin during the American Folk Blues Festival tour. It brings together the musicians of the tour as Sunnyland Slim, Hubert Sumlin, Willie Dixon and Clifton James. Sunnyland takes 5 titles as leader (although the album has sometimes been attributed to Hubert Sumlin only) including "It's you my baby" or "Too late for me to pray".
MIDNIGHT JUMP
Blue Horizon
THE COMPLETE BLUE HORIZON SESSIONS
Blue Horizon
June 1968
Gravé en quelques heures par le producteur anglais Mike Vernon, ce "Midnight jump" rassemble Slim avec Willie Dixon et ses Chicago Blues All Stars (Johnny Shines, Walter Horton, Clifton James). Sunnyland Slim propose un album inspiré et consistant en particulier avec "Layin' in my cell, sleepin'", "Depression blues", "Heartache", l'autobiographique "Stepmother", "Stella Mae" et l'instrumental "Midnight jump". On trouve aussi trois prises alternatives inédites dans la réédition CD. Très belle photo de couverture de Terence Ibbott sur le LP original. On note que le "Last night's dream" de Johnny Shines fut enregistré lors de la même séance par Mike Vernon (mais sans Slim).
Recorded in a few hours by english producer Mike Vernon, this "Midnight jump" brings together Slim with Willie Dixon and his Chicago Blues All Stars (Johnny Shines, Walter Horton, Clifton James). Sunnyland Slim offers an inspired and consistent album in particular with "Layin' in my cell, sleepin'", "Depression blues", "Heartache", the autobiographical "Stepmother", "Stella Mae" and the instrumental "Midnight jump". We find also three previously unreleased alternate takes in the CD reissue. Very nice cover picture of Terence Ibbott on the original LP. We note that Johnny Shines' "Last night's dream" was recorded during the same session by Mike Vernon (but without Slim).
SLIM'S GOT HIS THING GOIN' ON
World Pacific
Liberty
Sequel
October 1968
Cet excellent disque regroupe plusieurs séances dans lesquelles Sunnyland Slim est associé à Mick Taylor, Luther Allison, George "Harmonica" Smith et Canned Heat. Produit par Steve LaVere (avec l'assistance de Bob Hite sur certains morceaux), il possède une tracklist puissante avec des sommets comme "Going back to Memphis", "You used to love me", "She's got a thing going on", "Substitute woman", "Everytime I get to drinkin'", "Little girl blues" (avec Big Mama Thornton à la batterie), "My past life".
This excellent record includes several sessions in which Sunnyland Slim is associated with Mick Taylor, Luther Allison, George "Harmonica" Smith and Canned Heat. Produced by Steve LaVere (with assistance by Bob Hite on some tracks), it has a powerful tracklist with peaks like "Going back to Memphis", "You used to love me", "She's got a thing going on", "Substitute woman", "Everytime I get to drinkin'", "Little girl blues" (with Big Mama Thornton on drums), "My past life".
REDISCOVERED BLUES vol.2
Capitol
October 1968
THE ALL STAR BLUES WORLD OF SPIVEY RECORDS
Spivey
May 1969
LOADED WITH THE BLUES
MPS
July 1969
Séance dans un studio de Cologne en Allemagne produite par le critique de jazz Joachim E. Berendt. Willie est entouré de ses Chicago Blues All Stars, Sunnyland Slim, Big Walter Horton, Johnny Shines et Clifton James. Tous ces grands noms du blues jouent parfaitement ensemble, avec feeling et inspiration. Slim joue en leader "She gotta thing goin' on" et "Everytime I get to drinkin'".
Studio session in Cologne (Germany) produced by jazz critic Joachim E. Berendt. Willie is surrounded by his Chicago Blues All Stars, Sunnyland Slim, Big Walter Horton, Johnny Shines and Clifton James. All these blues big names play perfectly together, with feeling and inspiration. As a leader, Slim plays "She gotta thing goin' on" and "Everytime I get to drinkin'".
REALLY CHICAGO'S BLUES
Adelphi
September 1969
CHICAGO ALL STARS
Wolf
1970
Qualité sonore juste correcte pour un programme pas vraiment abouti, tantôt convaincant, tantôt ennuyeux, qui ne devrait intéresser que les complétistes.
Fairly decent sound quality for a not really achieved program, sometimes convincing, sometimes boring, which should only interest completists.
SAD AND LONESOME
Jewel
September 1971
Sous la supervision du producteur Stan Lewis, Slim enregistre cet opus pour le label Jewel (appartenant à Lewis). Très en forme au chant et au piano, il est supporté par un groupe compact et puissant : Eddie Shaw, Andrew Mac Mahon, S.P. Leary mais surtout les brillants Hubert Sumlin et Walter Horton. On retient dans cette tracklist vraiment consistante "Smile on my face", "My past life", "Depression blues", "Sad and lonesome", "Your fine brown frame", "It's you baby".
Under the supervision of producer Stan Lewis, Slim recorded this opus for the Jewel label (owned by Lewis). Very fit on vocals and piano, he is supported by a compact and powerful backing band : Eddie Shaw, Andrew Mac Mahon, S.P. Leary but above all the brilliant Hubert Sumlin and Walter Horton. We retain in this really consistent tracklist "Smile on my face", "My past life", "Depression blues", "Sad and lonesome", "Your fine brown frame", "It's you baby".
MEAT AND GRAVY FROM CADILLAC BABY vol.1 & 2
Red Lightnin'
December 1971
Dans ces anthologie, on trouve 5 morceaux (trois dans le premier volume, deux dans le second) issus de séances de décembre 1971 à Chicago. Pour celles-ci, Slim est accompagné d'Homesick James, Little Mack Simmons, Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Taylor et Willie Williams. On retient une excellente version de "She got that jive".
In these anthologies, there are 5 tracks (three in the first volume, two in the second) from December 1971 sessions in Chicago. For these, Slim is accompanied by Homesick James, Little Mack Simmons, Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Taylor and Willie Williams. We can point out an excellent version of "She got that jive".
PLAYS THE RAGTIME BLUES
Bluesway
ABC
March 1973
Pour le label Bluesway et le producteur Al Smith, Sunnyland Slim grave cet album qu'il dédie à Geneva Morganfield (la femme de Muddy Waters) décédée quelques jours auparavant. Bien supporté par Walter Horton et les Aces (Louis & Dave Myers et Fred Below), Slim délivre encore un album vraiment convaincant. On peut mentionner les excellents "Get hip to yourself", "Mr Cool", "It's you baby", "Canadian walk", "Rice salmon and black eyed peas". Cet album n'a jamais été réédité en CD.
For the Bluesway label and producer Al Smith, Sunnyland Slim recorded this album which he dedicated to Geneva Morganfield (Muddy Waters' wife) who died a few days earlier. Well supported by Walter Horton and the Aces (Louis & Dave Myers and Fred Below), Slim delivers yet another truly compelling album. We can mention the excellent "Get hip to yourself", "Mr Cool", "It's you baby", "Canadian walk", "Rice salmon and black eyed peas". This album has never been reissued on CD.
THE LEGACY OF THE BLUES vol.11
Sonet
GNP - Crescendo
THE SONET BLUES STORY
Verve
April 1973
Dans cette série d'albums produits par Sam Charters pour le label suédois Sonet, on trouve un volume consacré à Sunnyland Slim. Il est ici seul au piano dans un studio de Stockholm délivrant son blues hérité des barrelhouses. Il y a de très beaux moments comme "Couldn't find a mule" ou "Gonna be my baby" même si le programme semble plus terne que dans ses albums précédents.
In this series of albums produced by Sam Charters for the swedish label Sonet, there is a volume devoted to Sunnyland Slim. He is here alone on piano in a Stockholm studio delivering his blues inherited from the barrelhouses. There are very beautiful moments like "Couldn't find a mule" or "Gonna be my baby" even if the program seems duller than in his previous albums.
BLUES JAM WITH THE DELTA BLUES BAND
Storyville
May 1973
BARRELHOUSE BLUES & BOOGIE WOOGIE vol.1
Storyville
May 1973
Dans cette anthologie, on trouve deux morceaux issus d'une séance danoise : "Night owl blues" et "Get further little brother".
In this anthology, there are two tracks from a danish session : "Night owl blues" and "Get further little brother".
SHE GOT THAT JIVE
Airway
June 1968 / December 1971 / March 1973 / March 1974
Sunnyland Slim a crée son propre label Airway en 1970. Sur ce disque mi-inédits mi-compilation, il réédite quelques séances éparses dont certaines étaient inédites (il y a aussi 3 morceaux de son LP Bluesway). Le plus intéressant reste certainement les titres de mars 1974 avec la jeune chanteuse Bonnie Lee : "Sad and evil woman", "Standing on the corner", "She got a thing goin' on", "See my lawyer".
Sunnyland Slim has created its own Airway label in 1970. On this half-unreleased half-compilation record, he reissues a few scattered sessions, some of which were previously unreleased (there are also 3 tracks from his Bluesway LP). The most interesting are certainly the titles of march 1974 with the young singer Bonnie Lee : "Sad and evil woman", "Standing on the corner", "She got a thing goin' on", "See my lawyer".
SHE GOT A THING GOIN' ON
Earwig
December 1971 / March 1974 / August 1977 / January 1978 / June 1979 / January 1982
Grâce à Michael Frank et son label Earwig, on peut apprécier ce CD regroupant les faces Airway de Sunnyland Slim et des chanteuses dont il a aidé à lancer la carrière : Bonnie Lee, Big Time Sarah et Zora Young. Leurs voix sont magnifiques, Slim assure au piano et les sidemen excellents. Un excellent programme avec des moments intenses comme "Sad and evil woman", "Bus station blues", "Big time operator", "Black cat cross my trail".
Thanks to Michael Frank and his Earwig label, we can appreciate this CD bringing together the Airway sides of Sunnyland Slim and the singers whose careers he helped to launch : Bonnie Lee, Big Time Sarah and Zora Young. Their voices are magnificent, Slim plays his piano and the sidemen are excellent. An excellent program with intense moments like "Sad and evil woman", "Bus station blues", "Big time operator", "Black cat cross my trail".
WORRIED ABOUT MY BABY
Black & Blue
CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL '74
Black & Blue
November 1974
Cet album est enregistré à Paris pendant une tournée du Chicago Blues Festival qui regroupait Big Voice Odom, Sunnyland Slim et Jimmy Dawkins. Les trois bluesmen délivrent un set de Chicago Blues puissant. Slim donne de solides versions de "Worried about my baby", "So glad", "She is so soft and so mellow", "Depression blues", "I done you wrong". Trois titres supplémentaires ont été ajoutés dans la réédition CD.
This album was recorded in Paris during the Chicago Blues Festival tour which brought together Big Voice Odom, Sunnyland Slim and Jimmy Dawkins. The three bluesmen deliver a set of powerful Chicago Blues. Slim gives solid versions of "Worried about my baby", "So glad", "She is so soft and so mellow", "Depression blues", "I done you wrong". Three additional titles have been added in the CD reissue.
TRAVELIN'
Black & Blue
December 1974
Quelques jours après la précédente session, Sunnyland Slim retrouve le chemin du studio à Paris, toujours pour le label Black & Blue. Pour celle-ci, il est placé seul au piano mélangeant ses propres morceaux à des classiques du piano blues. Entre chaque morceau, il évoque quelques souvenirs et anecdotes sur sa longue carrière.
A few days after the previous session, Sunnyland Slim found his way back to the studio in Paris, again for the Black & Blue label. For this one, he is placed alone on piano mixing his own compositions to piano blues classics. Between each track, he evokes some memories and anecdotes about his long career.
DEPRESSION BLUES
Festival
1974
LIVE IN EUROPE
Airway
April 1975
Il s'agit d'un concert capté sur une scène allemande édité par Sunnyland Slim lui-même sur son propre label Airway. Il semble en bonne forme et délivre ses blues hérités des barrelhouses en compagnie du batteur Sam Burckhardt. Un programme varié et bien joué.
This is a concert captured on a german stage issued by Sunnyland Slim himself on his own Airway label. He seems in good shape and delivers his blues inherited from the barrelhouses in company of drummer Sam Burckhardt. A varied and well-played program.
LONG TALL DADDY
Arcola
May 1976
C'est Bob West qui enregistra Sunnyland Slim chez lui à Seattle en 1976. Slim est ici seul au piano dans une séance informelle à l'atmosphère relachée. Il est rejoint sur deux morceaux par la chanteuse Big Time Sarah ("Long tall daddy", "Got to see my baby"). Il évoque également quelques souvenirs de sa longue et belle carrière. Un superbe CD de piano blues tardivement édité par Arcola.
It was Bob West who recorded Sunnyland Slim at his home in Seattle in 1976. Slim is here alone on piano in an informal session with a relaxed atmosphere. He is joined on two tracks by the singer Big Time Sarah ("Long tall daddy", "Got to see my baby"). He also evokes some memories of his long and beautiful career. A superb piano blues CD late released by Arcola.
HEAVY TIMBRE
Sirens
June 1976
Pour cette réunion de pianistes de Chicago, Sunnyland Slim joue plusieurs titres sympathiques comme "She's got a thing goin' on" et "Gotta see my lawyer". Il propose un duo orgue/piano avec Erwin Helfer sur "Big Joe" et un bon "Kansas City" aux côtés de Blind John Davis (uniquement dans la version CD).
For this meeting of Chicago pianists, Sunnyland Slim plays several nice titles like "She's got a thing goin' on" and "Gotta see my lawyer". He offers an organ/piano duet with Erwin Helfer on "Big Joe" and a good "Kansas City" alongside Blind John Davis (only on CD issue).
THE BLUES WAILED IN BERKELEY
Southland
1976
Cette séance présente Sunnyland Slim, encore une fois, seul au piano. Elle fut capturée par Ray Skjelbred à son domicile à Berkeley. Le programme ressemble aux précédents opus de Slim dans lesquels il joue seul. Mais, on peut toutefois le conseiller aux fans confirmés de ce bluesman.
This session presents Sunnyland Slim, once again, alone on piano. It was captured by Ray Skjelbred at his home in Berkeley. The program resembles Slim's previous opus in which he plays alone. But, we can however recommend it to confirmed fans of this bluesman.
I DIDN'T GIVE A DAMN IF WHITES BOUGHT IT vol.4 & 5
Red Lightnin'
SMILE ON MY FACE
Delmark
March 1977
En mars-avril 1977, Henry Stone, propriétaire du label TK, charge le producteur Ralph Bass de superviser une série de dix albums de Chicago Blues. Le cahier des charges est simple : huit morceaux par artistes et peu (ou pas) de secondes prises. Tout devait être mis en boite en quelques heures. Mais, finalement, Stone abandonnera rapidement le projet et le matériel sera revendu à la maison anglaise Red Lightnin' en 1984. Plus tard, Delmark acquit les droits de ces bandes et les proposent en CD. Slim est ici accompagné des guitaristes Lacy Gibson et Lee Jackson, le bassiste Willie Black et le batteur Fred Below. Une séance très consistante de pur Chicago Blues avec d'excellents moments : "Smile on my face", "I had it hard", "Soft and mellow Stella", "Lonely girl". Sur le CD, on trouve 8 titres de Slim, 4 titres de Lee Jackson et 1 titre de Lacy Gibson.
In march-april 1977, Henry Stone, owner of TK label asks the producer Ralph Bass to oversee a ten albums serie of Chicago blues. Requirement is simple : eight tracks by artists and no (or very few) second take. Everything had to be completed in a few hours. But, ultimately, Stone quickly left the project and the material will be sold to the english label Red Lightnin' in 1984. Later, Delmark acquired the tapes rights and issued a CD. Slim is here accompanied by guitarists Lacy Gibson and Lee Jackson, bassist Willie Black and drummer Fred Below. A very consistent session of pure Chicago Blues with excellent moments : "Smile on my face", "I had it hard", "Soft and mellow Stella", "Lonely girl". On the CD, there are 8 titles of Slim, 4 titles by Lee Jackson and 1 title by Lacy Gibson.
ROCKING MY BLUES AWAY
Ornament
PATIENCE LIKE JOB
Airway
August 1977 / January 1978
On trouve dans ce disque des titres de Sunnyland Slim déjà publiés par ailleurs, trois morceaux inédits (dont "Patience like Job" avec la guitare de Magic Slim) et surtout plusieurs titres attribués à la chanteuse Big Time Sarah.
We find in this album titles of Sunnyland Slim already published elsewhere, three unreleased pieces (including "Patience like Job" with Magic Slim's guitar) and especially several titles attributed to singer Big Time Sarah.
JUST YOU AND ME
Airway
1979 / July 1981
Cet album que Sunnyland Slim a édité sur son propre label Airway est constitué de deux séances distinctes, l'une en 1979 avec Ronnie Earl, Bonb Margolin, Sarah Brown, l'autre en juillet 1981 avec Professor Eddie Lusk, Hubert Sumlin, Bob Stroger. Mais le programme me semble un peu terne sans beaucoup d'inspiration.
This album, which Sunnyland Slim issued on his own Airway label, consists of two separate sessions, one in 1979 with Ronnie Earl, Bonb Margolin, Sarah Brown, the other in july 1981 with Professor Eddie Lusk, Hubert Sumlin, Bob Stroger. But the program seems a bit dull to me without much inspiration.
DECORATION DAY
L+R
Evidence
January 1980
Pour cette séance à Chicago, Slim est accompagné par Carey Bell, Hubert Sumlin, Jeff Swan, Bob Stroger et Odie Payne Jr. Il s'agit d'un album honorable avec de bons moments mais manquant d'inspiration. Initialement édité par le label allemand L+R, l'album est repris en CD par Evidence qui ajoute les titres de Sunnyland Slim enregistrés lors des tournées de l'American Folk Blues Festival de 1980 et 1981.
For this session in Chicago, Slim is accompanied by Carey Bell, Hubert Sumlin, Jeff Swan, Bob Stroger and Odie Payne Jr. This is an honorable album with good moments but missing of inspiration. Initially issued by the german label L+R, the album is taken up on CD by Evidence which adds the titles of Sunnyland Slim recorded during American Folk Blues Festival 1980 and 1981 tours.
OLD FRIENDS
Earwig
June 1979 / March 1980
Excellente réunion de bluesmen organisée par Michael Robert Frank pour son label Earwig. Sunnyland joue en leader sur trois morceaux : l'instrumental "43rd street jump", "Heartache" et "Sometimes I worry" (uniquement sur la version CD).
Excellent bluesmen meeting organized by Michael Robert Frank for his Earwig label. Sunnyland plays as a leader on three tracks : the instrumental "43rd street jump", "Heartache" and "Sometimes I worry" (CD version only).
AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL '80
L+R
May 1980
Sunnyland Slim participe à la tournée de l'American Folk Blues Festival de 1980 avec ses amis Carey Bell et Hubert Sumlin. On trouve ici une belle version de son classique "Everytime I get to drinking" et un morceau instrumental peu original.
Sunnyland Slim took part in the 1980 American Folk Blues Festival tour with his friends Carey Bell and Hubert Sumlin. Here we find a beautiful version of his classic "Everytime I get to drinking" and an unoriginal instrumental track.
AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL '81
L+R
March 1981
L'année suivante, Sunnyland Slim participe à nouveau à la tournée de l'American Folk Blues Festival. Il délivre ici trois standards du blues interprétés bien classiquement.
The following year, Sunnyland Slim again took part in the American Folk Blues Festival tour. He delivers here three blues standards interpreted very classically.
BE CAREFUL HOW YOU VOTE
Earwig
January 1983
Compilation de titres de Sunnyland Slim avec deux morceaux inédits de janvier 1983 : "Be careful how you vote" et "Past life".
Compilation of tracks from Sunnyland Slim with two unreleased tracks from january 1983 : "Be careful how you vote" and "Past life".
SUNNYLAND TRAIN
Red Beans
Steeple Chase
Evidence
January 1983
Séance produite par Pete Crawford et Erwin Helfer dans laquelle Sunnyland Slim est seul au piano. Il délivre un bon panorama de son talent au piano reprenant ses propres compositions ainsi que certains standards du genre. Un album sympathique qu'il vaut mieux conseiller aux fans confirmés du bluesman. La version CD d'Evidence ajoute cinq morceaux inédits.
Session produced by Pete Crawford and Erwin Helfer in which Sunnyland Slim is alone on piano. He delivers a good overview of his skills on the piano, covering his own compositions as well as some standards of the genre. A nice album that it is better to advise to confirmed fans of the bluesman. The CD version of Evidence adds five previously unreleased tracks.
BLUESMEETING IN CHICAGO
Strawberry
July 1983
On trouve deux bons titres de Slim dans cette anthologie suédoise : "Fine body" et "Got a thing goin' on". Il est accompagné notamment de Knut Reiersrud à la guitare et de Sven Zetterberg à l'harmonica.
There are two good titles by Slim in this swedish anthology : "Fine body" and "Got a thing goin' on". He is accompanied notably by Knut Reiersrud on guitar and Sven Zetterberg on harmonica.
SNAKE IN MY BEDROOM
Red Lightnin'
1984
Deux bons morceaux gravés en Norvège par Slim avec Knut Reiersrud et Sven Zetterberg : "For you my love" et "Going down slow".
Two good tracks recorded in Norway by Slim with Knut Reiersrud and Sven Zetterberg : "For you my love" and "Going down slow".
NATIONAL DOWN HOME BLUES FESTIVAL vol.2 (lp) / vol.1 (cd)
Southland
October 1984
Lors de ce concert organisé par George Mitchell, Sunnyland Slim joue deux morceaux seul au piano : "You put that thing on me" et "She's got things going on".
During this concert organized by George Mitchell, Sunnyland Slim plays two songs alone on piano : "You put that thing on me" and "She's got things going on".
CHICAGO JUMP
Red Beans
Evidence
April 1985
Second album édité sur le label Red Beans d'Erwin Helfer et Pete Crawford. Pour celui-ci, c'est Sam Burckhardt qui produit l'album (et joue du saxophone). Il entoure Slim, toujours en bonne forme, d'excellents sidemen comme Steve Freund (très en vue à la guitare), Bob Stroger (basse) et Robert Covington (batterie). Il s'agit donc d'un solide programme de Chicago Blues avec des titres intéressants : "You used to love me", "Give you all my money", "I feel so bad", "Never picked no cotton". Dans la version CD éditée par Evidence, il y a un titre supplémentaire.
Second album issued on the Red Beans label run by Erwin Helfer and Pete Crawford. For this one, it's Sam Burckhardt who produces the album (and plays the saxophone). He surrounds Slim, still in good form, excellent sidemen like Steve Freund (very present on guitar), Bob Stroger (bass) and Robert Covington (drums). So this is a solid Chicago Blues program with interesting titles : "You used to love me", "Give you all my money", "I feel so bad", "Never picked no cotton". In the CD version issued by Evidence, there is an additional title.
TENTH ANNIVERSARY ANTHOLOGY vol.1
Antone's
July 1985
Pour ce concert des 10 ans du label Antone's, Sunnyland Slim joue "Built up from the ground".
For this 10th anniversary concert of the Antone's label, Sunnyland Slim plays "Built up from the ground".
LIVE AT THE D.C. BLUES SOCIETY
Mapleshade
October 1987