Magic Sam - West Side Soul

Many believe this 1967 landmark, Sam Maghett's first full-length studio recording, is the greatest blues album ever made. While that assertion is awfully difficult to substantiate, these 11 gems (plus one alternate) certainly deserve hyperbolic praise. These cuts have a dramatically direct emotional appeal, a blunt, unfiltered artlessness that's rarely been achieved in an electric setting. Sam's spirited vocals come from his heart and his belly, not his brain. His guitar work is smoothly melodic, à la B. B. King with a bit more bite, frenetic and energetic like Buddy Guy, but with more taste. Since this Mississippi native died at age 32, this album sits in a mystical place in blues history: In many ways, it is to Chicago blues what Robert Johnson's meager output is to Delta blues. --Marc Greilsamer Amazon.com

I cried out of sheer joy when i heard this for the first time.....

It was the summer of 1994, the first time i heard this record from a friend of mine (bless the man). you remember the kind of thrill that you experience when you see/ hear something so profound that it electrifies your whole system, i had tears in my eyes out of pure happiness when i heard the songs.

This is unarguably the greatest blues album ever made, its a tragedy that Sam Maghett had to pass away at the young age of 32. This album will blow you away into pieces, each and every song is pure gold.

Just read the emotion and passion of the other reviewers, barring one retard who feels this album is "dated" (must be a winehouse fan) , every other reviewer here is right on the money.

This album is a keeper and will define what music is like, a 100 , 200 years from now.

10 Stars. Recommend to own and makes for an awesome gift as well!
May 13, 2008

Lives up to the hype

Plenty of blues enthusiasts cite this as one of the best blues albums ever. I own quite a few albums by Muddy, B.B., and Wolf and this one stacks up to them. A nice find. April 28, 2008

west side is the best side

arguably one of the best blues recordings. get it, listen to it, and you'll want to listen to it again. April 5, 2008

West Side Soul

This is without doubt one of the finest Chicago
blues albums of all time by the late great Magic Sam.
A must in any blues lover's collection February 14, 2008

Dated

Came off more dated than I was hoping, but you have to admit this man can play a guitiar. December 23, 2007

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