Nobody Loves Me : Everyday I Have The Blues

Memphis Slim bridged the gap between rural juke joint barrelhouse piano and the emerging uptown blues styles of the late '40s. This fine collection of 78s, recorded between 1940 and 1948 on a variety of small labels, illustrates what a fine singer and writer he was, in addition to showcasing his piano skills. The stately title track was written and originally recorded by Slim in 1948, under the title "Nobody Loves Me." Lowell Fulson covered it a few years later, changing its title to "Everyday I Have the Blues," and both B.B. King and Joe Williams had hits with it under that title in 1955. There are two versions of it included here, along with the joyful "Old Taylor" and "Blues at Midnight," which features the great Jazz Gillum on harmonica. Available at a budget price, this collection of early Memphis Slim classics is a wonderful buy and, combined with one of his later releases (like At the Gate of Horn), gives the measure of this fine musician. ~ Steve Leggett