West Side Soul

Performer: Magic Sam
Engineer: Stu Black
Producer: Robert G. Koester
Distributor: City Hall

Notes: Personnel: Magic Sam (vocals, guitar); Mighty Joe Young (guitar); Stockholm Slim (piano); Odie Payne (drums). Liner Note Author: Bill Lindemann. Recording information: Sound studios (07/12/1967/10/25/1967). Photographer: Jack Bradley. Although singer/guitarist Magic Sam learned from the Chicago blues greats, his 1967 debut album, WEST SIDE SOUL, pretty much marks the dividing line between the classic Chicago style and what we know as contemporary electric blues today. His serpentine, tremolo-laden guitar style, somewhat akin to what his Cobra labelmate Otis Rush was doing around the same time, represented a new step in blues guitar and proved highly influential. The album is also remarkable for promulgating the merger between blues and soul that was still a new idea at the time.

Rolling Stone (9/28/68, p.28) - "...Sam's music represents the interaction of Memphis soul, gospel-influenced Detroit pop-soul, and the standard Mississippi-cum Chicago scheme....He is an expert song stylist; his voice is capable of changing form in mid-note--like B.B. King when he's really got it on..." Down Beat (11/91) - 5 Stars - Excellent - "..his vibrant singing and rollicking boogie guitar made converts among rock fans..."

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