Neither Moss's production nor the fantastic guests and friends who contribute their talents to the record upstage the man in the middle, and that's worth another amen! Magic Slim is the sun, and everything else revolves around him. Joining Slim in the studio for Midnight Blues are James Cotton, Lil' Ed Williams, Lonnie Brooks, Otis Clay, and Evlin Bishop. Of all the guest stars who contribute, only the iconic Cotton comes close to eclipsing Slim with some vintage harp work on the classic "You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had." Cotton probably played the song a million times while working with its author, Muddy Waters. It's one of the best songs in the collective blues songbook and Slim does it proud.
In addition to some well-chosen covers, Slim contributes some excellent originals. The little run from "Carla" through "What Is That You Got" might be the strongest run on the record. "Carla" is a slow blues, full of Slim's fabulous guitar work. The shuffling "Cryin' Won't Let You Stay" finds Slim trading compact, sturdy licks with Elvin Bishop. "What Is That You Got" is the longest song on the record at just over five minutes, and Slim's guitar work is a dominant force for every one of those five minutes.
Let me give you some listening advice for Midnight Blues. Volume. Lots of it. The first two times I listened to it, I did so at polite, non-eviction sound levels. The third time through the record, I listened to it on my iPod. A slip of the hand when trying to shift from one track to the next ratcheted up the volume, and I felt like I was hearing the album for the first time again. This is not pleasant background music! If you want to feel the Midnight Blues you have to hear them, so turn this up! It really does make a difference.
Maybe mandatory retirement age is a good thing in the pop world, but Midnight Blues is another powerful case for the blues not to follow suit.
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