Louis Myers

Louis Myers - I'm a Southern Man - 1978 - Advent

Despite his vaunted reputation as a versatile standout on the Windy City circuit, Louis Myers seldom recorded as a leader. This is the best set he did as a front man; cut in 1978, it was ironically recorded in Hollywood. Fellow ex-Little Walter sideman Freddy Robinson shared guitar duties with Myers (who also played harp) on a well-produced set strong on tradition but with one eye cocked toward contemporary developments (witness Myers's stylish diatribe on "Women's Lib"). © Bill Dahl, allmusic.com

Born in Byhalia, Mississippi in 1929, the late Louis Myers was a blues performer of the highest calibre. He was exposed to traditional country blues through the playing of his father, and older brother Bob. From a very young age Louis played harmonica and guitar, and his great version of Robert Johnson's "Kind Hearted Woman" is a perfect example of how this traditional blues music influenced Louis' playing and singing style. Arriving in Chicago in 1941, Louis was an integral part of the Chicago blues scene right up to his death in 1994. He was an immensely talented musician, best known as a sideman, and he played with every major blues artist in Chicago. He is probably most famous for playing with three blues legends, Little Walter, Junior Wells, and Muddy Waters. Not a prolific solo recording bluesman, "I'm a Southern Man" was Louis' first solo venture, and expertly demonstrates his great talents as a singer, guitarist, harmonica player, and songwriter. The material on this album ranges from the Mississippi country blues of "Kind Hearted Woman" to the urbane, original "Woman's Lib". Some great West Coast musicians play on this album, including the outstanding Freddy Robinson on guitar. The whole album is classic example of a Chicago blues ensemlble, driven powerfully by both guitar and harmonica. Louis Myers should be remembered as a great bluesman who gave his life to the real blues music. Buy his great "Tell My Story Movin'" album, and listen to his "Wallin Blues" album.

TRACKS

01 - I' A Southern Man 4:02
02 - Short Haired Woman 5:21
03 - Woman's Lib 4:25
04 - Just Woke Up 3:56
05 - Woman trouble 4:14
06 - Hello Stranger 3:29
07 - Southbound Blues 4:42
08 - All My Love In Vain 3:53
09 - Kind Hearted Woman 3:51
10 - Old Black Mattie

MUSICIANS

Louis Myers Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Tony Matthews, Freddy Robinson Guitar
Larry Taylor Bass (Electric), String Bass
Dennis Walker Bass, Bass (Electric)
Nathaniel Dove Piano
Buster B. Jones Drums
David Li Sax (Tenor)
Charles Garnett Trumpet

ABOUT LOUIS MYERS

Though he was certainly capable of brilliantly fronting a band, remarkably versatile guitarist/harpist Louis Myers will forever be recognized first and foremost as a top-drawer sideman and founding member of the Aces — the band that backed harmonica wizard Little Walter on his immortal early Checker waxings. Along with his older brother David — another charter member of the Aces — Louis left Mississippi for Chicago with his family in 1941. Fate saw the family move next door to blues great Lonnie Johnson, whose complex riffs caught young Louis's ear. Another Myers brother, harp-blowing Bob, hooked Louis up with guitarist Othum Brown for house party gigs. Myers also played with guitarist Arthur "Big Boy" Spires before teaming with his brother David on guitar and young harpist Junior Wells to form the first incarnation of the Aces (who were initially known as the Three Deuces). In 1950, drummer Fred Below came on board. In effect, the Aces and Muddy Waters traded harpists in 1952, Wells leaving to play with Waters while Little Walter, just breaking nationally with his classic "Juke," moved into the front man role with the Aces. Myers and the Aces backed Walter on his seminal "Mean Old World," "Sad Hours," "Off the Wall," and "Tell Me Mama" and at New York's famous Apollo Theater before Louis left in 1954 (he and the Aces moonlighted on Wells's indispensable 1953-54 output for States). Plenty of sideman work awaited Myers — he played with Otis Rush, Earl Hooker, and many more. But his own recording career was practically non-existent; after a solitary 1956 single for Abco, "Just Whaling"/"Bluesy," that found Myers blowing harp in Walter-like style, it wasn't until 1968 that two Myers tracks turned up on Delmark. The Aces reformed during the 1970s and visited Europe often as a trusty rhythm section for touring acts. Myers cut a fine set for Advent in 1978, I'm a Southern Man, that showed just how effective he could be as a leader (in front of an L.A. band, no less). Myers was hampered by the effects of a stroke while recording his last album for Earwig, 1991's Tell My Story Movin'. He courageously completed the disc but was limited to playing harp only. His health soon took a turn for the worse, ending his distinguished musical career. © Bill Dahl, allmusic.com