CD Details
Synopsis
Amazon.comIn 1962, the legendary blues pianist Memphis Slim left America for good and settled in Paris. That same year, he began a regular gig at a club called the Trois Mailletz, a job he was to hold until 1973. This CD was recorded in his first month at the club, during a visit from his old friend Willie Dixon, the great blues songwriter and bassist. The atmosphere that night was genial and relaxed as the two men traded songs back and forth. While their singing never reached the passion of the earlier records from the 1940s and '50s, Memphis Slim's hard-driving piano and Dixon's thumping bass made up for the lack of vocal fire. Most of the songs tend to be on the obscure side, but even minor efforts like "Pigalle Love," a sly ode to a woman who works in the notorious Paris red-light district, have an undeniable charm. Aux Trois Mailletz is not the best work from either man, but it does offer a glimpse of two blues giants playing some fine songs and enjoying each other's company. --Michael Simmons
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CD Reviews
Just another night playing the blues at a bar. K. Spindler | Bangkok, Thailand | 07/17/2007 (3 out of 5 stars) "Although poorly titled (it's not jazz!), this pleasant little CD captures Memphis and Willie (backed by a drummer) playing a relaxed and good-natured set in front of a Parisian bar crowd. Comprising laid-back blues grooves and a few up-tempo rock `n' roll tunes, Willie and Memphis (well, mostly Memphis) take turns singing and soloing while showing an uncanny understanding of each other's musical mannerisms and patterns. It wasn't a night where either of them was pushing the limits of their musical talents, but they make up for it by keeping the music light-hearted and the groove solid.
The music is 4-stars (I'm feeling generous), but what knocks a star off is the sound quality on the CD. Both instruments and vocals suffer from `warping' and hollowness which is easily discernible on both standard quality headphones and a high-end stereo system. Depending on how sensitive you are to these things, it could almost be a deal-breaker (I know I don't listen to this CD nearly as much as I would like).
All in all, a good historical document of two blues greats, and a decent purchase, but not recommended if this is your first Memphis Slim (or Willie Dixon) CD.
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