WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B blended
together, often in the same song. The focus is on the the Jump Blues and
Early Rock’n’Roll Eras (1940s to mid-1950s) and on how those styles
and artists have evolved over the years.
Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on Atlanta’s
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Memphis Slim is today’s featured artist. Born Jon Len Chatman in Memphis,
Tennesse on September 3, 1915. A blues pianist, singer, and composer,
Memphis Slim led a series of bands that, reflecting the popular appeal of
jump blues, including sxaophones, bass, drums, and piano. He made over
500 recordings during a career that spanned more than five decades.
Memphis Slim moved to Paris in 1962.
Two years before his death in 1988, Slim was named a Commander in the
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of France.
In addition, the U.S. Senate honored Slim with the title of Ambassador-at-Large
of Good Will.
MEMPHIS SLIM RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
BLUES HALL OF FAME
MEMPHIS MUSIC HALL OF FAME
WRFG PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
Song
Artist
Origianl Album or Label & Date
Early Bird Bill Doggett King Records 1945
Rockin’ At Midnight Roy Brown Deluxe Records 1949
I Ain’t Gonna Let You In Annie Laurie & Paul Gayten Regal Records 1949
Blue & Lonesome Memphis Slim At The Gate Of Horn 1959
Memphis Slim’s 1848 recording of “Blue & Lonesome” rose to number two
on the national R&B Chart. It was his third “hit” record.
Special Delivery Cecil Gant Four Star Records 1948
I Wonder Catherine Russell Alone Together 2019
A Bird In The Hand Tomcat Blake I’ve Been Wondering 1996
That’s How I Feel About You Ella Johnson Mercury Records 1953
Next Time You See Me Paul Carrack Don’t Wait Too Long 2023
Why Don’t You Haul Off & Love Me Bull Moose Jackson King Records 1949
It Can Never Be That Way Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Peacock Records 1949
Moten Swing Jay McShann Still Jumpin’ The Blues 1999
Tell the Truth Ray Charles In Person 1959
Talkin’ The Blues B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1955
Night Train Louis Prima The Wildest! 1956
I Done Got Over It Candye Kane Guitar’d & Feathered 2007
Mother Earth Memphis Slim Premium Records 1951
“Mother Earth” is a blues song recorded by Memphis Slim in 1951. A slow
twelve-bar blues, it is one of Slim’s best-known songs and reached number
seven on the national R&B chart in 1951.
Beer Drinkin’ Woman Memphis Slim Bluebird Records 1940
Recorded at his first studio session after signing with Bluebird in 1940.
The song became part of his repertoire for decades.
I Feel So Good Big Bill Broonzy w/ Memphis Slim Bluebird Records 1941
In 1940 and 1941, Memphis Slim was the house pianist for
Bluebird Records. He recorded iwth several artists including Big Bill Broonzy,
the singer and guitarist he partnered with after moving to Chicago in 1939.
Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So Strong
T-Bone Walker
American Blues Festival Tour 1962
Memphis Slim toured Europe with the American Blues Festival for
several years. On this recording from a German TV show, he’s backing
T-Bone Walker on a song written by Albert King. Willie Dixon is on bass
with Jump Jackson on drums.
Goomp Blues Johnny Otis w/ Ben Webster Mercury Records 1951
Everytime I Think Of You Big Mama Thornton Peacock Records 1952
Somebody Done Changed The Lock On My Door Louis Jordan Decca Records 1945
I Want To Hug You Kiss You Squeeze You Buddy & Claudia Chess Records 1955
Let’s Have A Party Roomful Of Blues Let’s Have A Party 1979
Little Boy Igor Prado Band Instrumentals, Vol.1 2010
Keep A Dollar In Your Pocket Roy Milton Specialty Records 1948
Lose Your Rings, Keep Your Fingers Mike Bourne Band Crusin’ Kansas City 2023
The Comeback
Count Basie & Joe Williams
Count Basie Swings & Joe Williams Sings 1956
“The Come Back” is a 1953 song by Memphis Slim. It was one of his signature
R&B chart hits. This recording was the “flip” side of Basie and Williams
hit version of “Everyday I Have the Blues.”
Nobody Loves Me (Every Day I Have The Blues)
Memphis Slim
Miracle Records 1949
“Every Day I Have the Blues” is a blues song that has been performed in a
variety of styles. An early version of the song is attributed to Pinetop Sparks
and his brother Milton. After a reworking of the song by Memphis Slim in 1949,
it became a blues standard with renditions recorded by numerous artists
(sign off)
Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005
WRFG Route 66 