Magic Slim and the Teardrops, "Teardrop," 1975 on Mean Mistreater Records

[Don D.]

Magic Slim’s “Teardrop,” five minutes and five seconds of joy.

As it says on the label, “Recorded at Chess Studios, Chicago, Ill., May 5th 1975.” This has become one of my favorite songs. It’s in B–all in B, the chords don’t change. I’m trying to pick out some of the riffs, which is extremely challenging. It’s a back-burner project, something I’ll keep coming back to. If you find any tab on this one, please comment here.

This is on the flip of the 45, recorded the same day, an Earl Hooker/Lillian Offitt tune called “I Wonder Why.”

Here’s one more exciting Magic Slim instrumental that (I think) shows Earl Hooker’s influence, “Black Tornado.” Or it may be a general country influence.

ENJOY!

Don D.

[smilefred]

Loved it thank you 4 sharing.. Another great bluesman that I Never listened carefully

[charjo]

Terrific, Don. Recorded in 1975 but it sounds so 60’s and I mean that in a good way.
John

[Aussie Rick]

Thanks for posting Don; what an absolute blues-guitar gem.
Rick

[Don D.]

Rick, John, Ale, and anyone who liked it but didn’t comment, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

There are so many tunes I’m enthusiastic about, I try not to say “listen to this! listen to this!” but every so often, one demands it. What I’m also hoping, when I get a little further along with “Teardrop,” I’ll present what I know, and maybe someone will take an interest and we’ll learn the rest of it together.

Don D.

[Maradonagol]

@don deering

Have loved that tune since you sent it to me a while ago…man no pedals on that baby….something made by fender plugged into something with tweed on it….listen to the tone on the one below…..beautiful….Thanks Don!!!

Roberto

[StratPlus66]

Perhaps Brian might do a Magic Slim! (Hint)

Great tracks,

Andrew

[Don D.]

Hi Andrew, that would be great if Brian did a Magic Slim lesson (hint). Chord voicings aren’t protected by copyright, so that aspect wouldn’t be a problem, and chord voicings are one of the main things that interests me about “Teardrop” (the excellent rhythms are the other thing, they’re not protected by copyright). It’s a single chord, a B7, but voiced in different ways and with tensions added–tensions are notes outside the chord tones.

Roberto, yeah, that’s another great one! It does sound more like a Fender than Gibson, but he plays all kinds of gittars, I wouldn’t be able to guess. Whatever it is, he just lays into it. I like that kind of stuttering thing he does on “Crazy Woman” before he starts singing, just hitting one note over and over but bending it ever so slightly differently.

John, I think I know what you mean about the ’60s vibe; ironically, it’s probably what I hear as a contemporary sound. To me this song sounds like it could have been produced yesterday.

Don D.

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