Magic Sam – Rockin’ Wild In Chicago – Delmark Records DG-765

His premature passing at the young age of 32 halted what assuredly would’ve been a booming musical career, as his highly successful appearance and reception at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival indicated.  Sam had the blues chops, good looks, and buoyant personality to strongly hint at the likely crossover potential of craft.  His were abundant blues proficiencies. 

This 2002 release’s 16-cuts were captured “live” at three of Chicago’s vibrant blues joints in 1963, 1964, 1966, and 1968; The Copacabana, The Alex Club, and Mother Blues. 

Surprisingly, the sound quality across this collection is quite good, and there is no doubt as to both Sam’s enthusiastic performing style and the enthusiastic reactions his audiences exhibited. 

Sam covers many artists’ tunes on this thrill of a blues ride including Albert Collins, Shakey Jake, Jimmy McCracklin, Albert King, Ferdinand Washington, Little Milton, Lowell Fulsom, Otis Rush, Ann Cole, Earl Washington and Del Gordon, Sonny Thompson, and Earl Hooker, with his own composition “Looking Good” also being presented.  The breadth of Sam’s offerings strongly hints at what was satisfying his rabid audiences during his halcyon performing years.

Assisting Sam in-performance were certain of his most trusted blues partners including Shakey Jake on vocals, Eddie Shaw and A.C. Reed on tenor saxophone (with Shaw also providing vocals), Mac Thompson on bass, and Odie Payne and Robert “Huckleberry Hound” Wright on drums.

This is a fascinating glimpse into both the continuing blues club heydays in Chicago and of the tremendous blues talent that was Magic Sam.

Highly recommended, indeed!