"He may not be "slim" any longer, but "magic" is woven all through Morris Holt's sensational "Black Tornado." This not only is Magic Slim's best album, it is one of the top 10 (top 5?) blues discs of the 1990s. Like the tornado of the title, Magic Slim's rough and tumble blues could blow a 2x4 through a brick wall; he could tear your heart out and show it to you while it's still beating. (OK, I'm getting carried away). "Black Tornado" is slow to get going, but the third cut, a cover of Muddy Waters' "Still a Fool" is sensational, and there's more to come. "I Can't Trust My Woman" is great, and I defy you to sit still during the righteously houserockin' "Magic Boogie." Whew! And on the magnificent slow burner "Crazy Woman," Slim sings: "I got a crazy woman, she got a mind just like a goose; I think I'm going down to buy me a toolbox, I believe that woman she got some screws loose." I don't know what the hell that means, but ... YES! Get this baby."
Magic Slim is the real deal
Richard B. Downing | hudson, Florida USA | 02/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Magic Slim is the real thing - his guitar is varied throughout, but also drenched in Chicago's South Side. His voice, too, is honest. And his band drives forward constantly. Throw Willie Kent and Lurrie Bell in a blender, and you're listening to Magic Slim. (Hey, let's not forget that the Teardrops are one tight band.)"
First Rate
John D. Brock | Perrysburg, Ohio | 11/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you're looking for house rockin' Chicago Blues this is some of the best you'll find. "Playin With My Mind" and "You've Got Bad Intentions"are infectious and you'll find yourself hitting the the repeat button on your CD player every time you hear them."
A work of great artistry
Daniel Gunter | Seattle, WA United States | 10/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whenever I think that the blue flame is flickering low, I put on "Black Tornado." On this CD, Magic Slim--who has been turning out great work for years--turned out a CD that exemplifies the best of electrified but down-home blues. From first to last cut, this CD is intense, powerful, and always surprisingly musical. Slim's vocals are excellent, and his guitar work shows that the Fender Jazzmaster makes a great blues instrument. The guitar tone in particular is noteworthy for its combined power and clarity. Overall, the CD has that same quality of absolute, unadulterated authenticity that marks the great Chess, Robinson, and Bihari recordings of the 1950s. It should be in the collection of all blues fans."
His most powerful work to date,
Daniel Gunter | 07/11/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First got information on this album on an NPR interview. Several cuts were played and it is his best work to date. If you like the south side Chicago blues, this is a great disc to buy"