The Essential Masters\nMemphis Slim\nPurple Pyramid\nIt might be a few weeks after Valentine's Day, but in retrospect legendary blues shouter Memphis Slim has the best line for those of us who were without company that day: "A room without a woman is like a heart without a beat / Seems like I have trouble with every girl I meet." Preach on, brother.\nThus Purple Pyramid's re-issue of classic Slim sides comes at a perfect time. But actually, there's no bad time for a talent like Memphis Slim. As a singer and a pianist, he cut some of the nastiest, dirtiest blues ever put on wax. Whether Slim was working with guitar great Big Bill Broonzy or playing with his own backing band, the House Rockers, he was able to capture the essence of the blues.\nBut what do you expect from a cat who was born and raised in Memphis and then moved to Chicago. Being in such blues-soaked burgs most assuredly wore off on Slim, who produced hit records for 25 years starting in 1948.\nOn Essential Masters, one can hear a myriad of influences and styles. On tracks like "Let the Good Times Roll" and "Harlem Bound," Slim sounds uncannily like R&B big man Joe Turner; on "Slim's Blues" and "Trouble in Mind," he pours out the type of gut-bucket blues that would satisfy any lonely soul. On "I Guess I'm a Fool," Slim even uses a backing vocal group that evokes memories of the Ink Spots.\nAnd Slim is no less impressive on the ivories. Working with his backing band he creates a gritty soundtrack for his vocals. It's easy to see why he influenced countless piano players who came after him; one can hear shades of Slim in artists like Little Richard, Dr. John and others.\nIt might be too late this year to celebrate a lonely Valentine's Day with Memphis Slim and some moonshine hooch, but there's always next year. Don't worry, the music won't go bad. It just keeps getting better year after year.\n
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