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Magic Sam Live is a live album by the American blues musician Magic Sam, recorded in Chicago in 1963/63 and at the first Ann Arbor Blues Festival in Michigan in 1969, that was released by the Delmark label in 1981.[1][2][3][4]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllmusicStarStarStarStar[5]
The Penguin Guide to Blues RecordingsStarStarStarStar[6]

Allmusic reviewer Al Campbell stated “While the sound quality leaves something to be desired, fans of electric Chicago blues should hear Magic Sam Live. Recorded at two separate locations … this disc captures the raw energy not only of the musicians, but the crowds’ tremendous response to them. … Ignore the rotten sound quality, this is raw blues power and provides a priceless document of Sam Maghett’s vital showmanship”.[5] The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings said “The gig tapes … are of indifferent quality but they can’t mask the energy coming from the bandstand. Sam was a talented guitarist but that was merely an adjunct to the forceful personality projected on his vocals … Sam sweeps all before him, accustomed to leading from the front and grateful if musicians keep up”.[6]

Track listing

All compositions by Magic Sam except where noted

Disc One: At the Alex Club, 1963/64

  1. “Every Night About This Time” (Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino) − 3:44
  2. “I Don’t Believe You’d Let Me Down” − 4:19
  3. “Mole’s Blues” − 4:49
  4. “I Just Got to Know” − 4:22
  5. “Tore Down” (Sonny Thompson) − 3:18
  6. “You Were Wrong” − 5:14
  7. “Backstroke” 3:48
  8. “Come On in This House” (Junior Wells) − 4:07
  9. “Looking Good” − 3:17 Omitted from single CD reissue
  10. “Riding High” − 1:41
  • Recorded at The Alex Club, Chicago in October 1963 (tracks 1, 2, 4, 6 & 9) and February 1964 (tracks 3, 5, 7, 8 & 10)

Disc Two: At the Ann Arbor Blues Festival, 1969

  1. “San-Ho-Zay” − 2:31
  2. “I Need You So Bad” (B.B. King, Sam Ling) − 4:15
  3. “You Don’t Love Me” − 4:04 Omitted from single CD reissue
  4. “Strange Things Happening” (Percy Mayfield) − 4:10
  5. “I Feel So Good (I Wanna Boogie)” − 4:54
  6. “All Your Love” − 4:55
  7. “Sweet Home Chicago” (Robert Johnson) − 3:28
  8. “I Got Papers On You, Baby” − 3:30 Omitted from single CD reissue
  9. “Looking Good” − 3:33
  10. “Looking Good (Encore)” − 1:46
  • Recorded at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival, Ann Arbor, Michigan on August 3, 1969

Personnel

  • Magic Sam − guitar, vocals
  • Eddie Shaw – tenor saxophone (Disc One)
  • Tyrone Carter – electric piano (Disc One: tracks 1, 2, 4, 6 & 9)
  • Mac Thompson – bass, vocals (Disc One)
  • Bruce Barlow – bass (Disc Two)
  • Bob Richey – drums (Disc One: tracks 1, 2, 4, 6 & 9)
  • “Huckleberry Hound” (Robert Wright) – drums (Disc One: tracks 3, 5, 7, 8 & 10)
  • Sam Lay – drums (Disc Two)

References

  1. ^ Wirz’ American Music: Magic Sam discography accessed October 31, 2019
  2. ^ Delmark Records: album details accessed October 31, 2019
  3. ^ Wirz’ American Music: Illustrated Delmar/Delmark Discography accessed October 31, 2019
  4. ^ Both Sides Now: Discography of the Delmar(k) Label accessed October 31, 2019
  5. ^ a b Campbell, Al. Magic Sam: Magic Sam Live – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Russell, Tony; Smith, Chris (2006). The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. London: Penguin. p. 478. ISBN 978-0-140-51384-4.