Raw Magic

Magic Slim | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alligator Records
• ASIN: B0000009XU
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,302 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD

Mississippi-born guitarist Morris "Magic Slim" Holt, an occasional accompanist to Magic Sam Maghett in the 1960s, paints Chicago blues in flat, broad colors that complement the coarse-grained intensity of his performances. This 1982 Alligator release, one of the sleepers in the label's catalog, gathers seven studio tracks from two French albums. -- © Frank John Hadley 1993

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest Chicago blues album ever, July 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Raw Magic (Audio CD)

If you are a fan of Chicago blues and you have never heard of Magic Slim, go immediately and get as many CDs of his as you can find. "Raw Magic" is the very best one, and my favorite blues album of all time. Although it is in part a compilation of some earlier released material, it holds together like a perfect studio album should (for those who think the best blues is live blues, take a listen to this CD). Magic has a powerful voice to match his tremulous and beautifully jarring guitar playing. The rhythm guitarist, Jr. Pettis, lays down pulsating chords around Magic's solos that almost sound like an organ. Nate Applewhite and Nick Holt work the drums and bass hard. That's all there is to the sound -- no horns, no piano, no nothing; for my money, the best Chicago blues is exactly that: 2 guitars, a bass, and drums. All the songs on this album are perfect, but especially check out Slim's version of "Mustang Sally" and "In the Heart of the Blu! es" (there is a certain point in the latter, during one of Slim's solos, where I can actually see God, no joke).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a single wasted note, September 7, 2007

By 

T. Woods (Mid-Atlantic, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Raw Magic (Audio CD)

I spent a lot of time listening to Slim at the Checkerboard Lounge in Chicago in the early 80s when this album was cut. It captures the energy of his live performances. "Gravel Road" has to be one of the tightest blues songs ever recorded.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest !, August 5, 2007

By 

W. Todd Penberthy - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Raw Magic (Audio CD)

I couldn't agree more with the other reviewer of this album that stated that this is the greatest album ever. I first heard this thanks to UCF radio show by David Jones back in 1990. Even to this day in Aug 2007 I listen to the album all the time. This is an absolute classic. Unfreakinbelievably wonderful. You can really feel this album. Just a wonderful sound. Drive far to see this man, he is the best damned entertainer. The songs are more real than anything. I have been looking for this kind of music ever since and it is hard to match this album. Every single song on it is fantastic.