Magic Sam Blues Band - West Side Soul

first US Pressing on Delmark

Year Released: 1968

Genre: Chicago Blues, Electric Blues, West Side Blues

Description:

West Side Soul is the debut studio album by American blues guitarist and singer Magic Sam (born Samuel Maghett), released in late 1967. It is widely considered a cornerstone of the Chicago blues scene and a landmark album of the electric blues genre. The album is a definitive document of the "West Side sound," a style of Chicago blues that emerged in the 1960s, characterized by its soulful, R&B-influenced feel and the use of a clean, often vibrato-heavy, and high-energy guitar sound, in contrast to the more aggressive, overdriven sound of the city's South Side blues.

The album was recorded for the Delmark Records label, an independent blues and jazz imprint, and its success was a crucial moment for the label and for blues music in general. The sound is raw, live, and unpolished, capturing the vibrant energy of a blues club performance. Magic Sam's guitar playing is a masterclass in a stripped-down, soulful style, full of tasteful phrases and a distinctive vibrato that gave his playing a singing quality. His passionate, high-tenor vocals were equally expressive and heartfelt.

West Side Soul features a mix of originals and blues standards, including the classic "Sweet Home Chicago" and a powerful rendition of "I Need a Little Money." The album's final track, "All of Your Love," which was a staple of his live sets, is a perfect example of his "West Side" style, blending a minor-key melody with a propulsive groove. Despite its modest commercial success at the time of its release, the album’s influence has only grown over time. It has been hailed by musicians and critics as a masterpiece and a prime example of the West Side sound, with its legacy inspiring countless blues and rock guitarists for decades