Customer Reviews

Black Tornado

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

He may not be "slim" any longer, but "magic" is woven all through Morris Holt's sensational "Black Tornado." This not only is Magic Slim's best album, it is one of the top 10 (top 5?) blues discs of the 1990s. Like the tornado of the title, Magic Slim's rough and tumble blues could blow a 2x4 through a brick wall; he could tear your heart out and show it to you while it's still beating. (OK, I'm getting carried away). "Black Tornado" is slow to get going, but the third cut, a cover of Muddy Waters' "Still a Fool" is sensational, and there's more to come. "I Can't Trust My Woman" is great, and I defy you to sit still during the righteously houserockin' "Magic Boogie." Whew! And on the magnificent slow burner "Crazy Woman," Slim sings: "I got a crazy woman, she got a mind just like a goose; I think I'm going down to buy me a toolbox, I believe that woman she got some screws loose." I don't know what the hell that means, but ... YES! Get this baby.

Magic Slim is the real thing - his guitar is varied throughout, but also drenched in Chicago's South Side. His voice, too, is honest. And his band drives forward constantly. Throw Willie Kent and Lurrie Bell in a blender, and you're listening to Magic Slim. (Hey, let's not forget that the Teardrops are one tight band.)

Whenever I think that the blue flame is flickering low, I put on "Black Tornado." On this CD, Magic Slim--who has been turning out great work for years--turned out a CD that exemplifies the best of electrified but down-home blues. From first to last cut, this CD is intense, powerful, and always surprisingly musical. Slim's vocals are excellent, and his guitar work shows that the Fender Jazzmaster makes a great blues instrument. The guitar tone in particular is noteworthy for its combined power and clarity. Overall, the CD has that same quality of absolute, unadulterated authenticity that marks the great Chess, Robinson, and Bihari recordings of the 1950s. It should be in the collection of all blues fans.

First got information on this album on an NPR interview. Several cuts were played and it is his best work to date. If you like the south side Chicago blues, this is a great disc to buy

Don't know how to explain how great are both this record and MAGIC SLIM, but I'll try. Perhaps two themes don't play in the same league as the others (the one which gives its name to the album, "Black Tornado", and the Blues-rock "It's alright" even though also are good) but the rest is absolutely exceptional, in his habitual line, with some infectious and unforgettable Blues that you're going to listen endlessly, like a cover of Muddy Waters' "Still a Fool", or "I Can't Trust My Woman", or the righteously houserockin' "Magic Boogie", or the magnificent slow Blues "Crazy Woman" and so on. In general all the CD from first to last cut, is intense, marvellous, Blues without second thoughts, without breathless, powerful, magnificent. Slim's singing is extraordinary and powerful, and his guitar play is as exceptional as ever, with clarity, incredible, one of the best, really sensational. The Teardrops,commanded by his brother Nick Holt are also very good with high instrumental level. Slim's style is very concise and in some moments very similar to one of his mentors Freddie King. In a few words, it's an essential record and it should be in the collection of all blues fans. I give it 5 stars.Finally I want to add that most of the records of his large discography are really great.

If you're looking for house rockin' Chicago Blues this is some of the best you'll find. "Playin With My Mind" and "You've Got Bad Intentions"are infectious and you'll find yourself hitting the the repeat button on your CD player every time you hear them.

First you get stunned by the cookin' groove. Then they slowly crush your soul with Stlll a Fool. Now some more rhythm. And then the satire of Crazy Woman. "I'm gonna buy me a tool box. I believe that woman got some screws loose." A great album. Notice how the other people liked it?

To be quite honest I don't actually own this CD, but I will recommend it anyway. I saw Magic Slim live just a few weeks ago, he was playing down in Greenwich Village (New York City, for all you out of towners) and was fabulous. I was thoroughly impressed. His style is very tight, similar to Freddie King's later style. It's loud, sharp, and powerful. He certainly is an excellent guitarist. He has a beautiful voice that just bellowed throughout that little blues club and I imagine he sounds great on this album. The Teardrops are also very good- I had a chance to talk to the second guitarist, I think his name is John Mcdonald, and besides being a really chill guy was an excellent guitarist. This CD will be my next purchase, and it should be your's, too.

Awesome guitar playing and funny lyrics! Great cd

what can i say See my Review for Blue Magic this not Blues for the Girl Friend