THE MEMPHIS SHEIKS: Slow-Cooked Pig Meat

The Memphis Sheiks

Slow-Cooked Pig Meat

© 1994 Inside Sounds (781371049422)

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Living Blues Magazine exalted this recording as "one of the best original acoustic revival blues CDs."

notes

Delta Joe Sanders grew up on Glover Plantation in Desoto County, Mississippi. His father ran the 10,000 acre peration where the family lived and at an early age, Joe developed a kinship with the help, who also lived on the plantation.
"My first [musical] influence was the farm help playing the blues. When I was about ten I remember one day out walking in the cold. I came upon one of the houses on the plantation. They invited me in to get warm. The kitchen was smelling right. Everyone was sitting around the table."
His lyrics, often deceptively simple, range from humourous anectdotes of love-gone-wrong to insightful reflections of the struggle to survive in a fast pace world far removed from the earthiness of the Mississippi Delta. Joe describes his songwriting this way: "A song starts working on me, sort of how pearls are made. They just start agitating. . . "
In 1980, Joe began playing professionallly in a country band in Mississippi. It was only a matter of time before he decided to follow his heart and get back to the blues. For most of the 80's he played solo gigs in Memphis, where he resided until his father's death while Joe wa in high school. Knowing the difficulty of finding musicians dedicated to traditional delta blues, Joe was content to play acoustic solo gigs until one night in 1991 when Robert Nighthawk II asked to sit in on harmonica. The chemistry between the bluesman was so strong that they have been playing together ever since. A high profile musician in the Memphis blues scene, Robert Nighthawk II has fronted The Wampus Cats since forming the band in 1978. Having recorded at Inside Sounds with The Wampus Cats, Robert invited Joe to the studio in 1993 to cut a few tracks. The result was Slow-Cooked Pig Meat, the debut recording of The Memphis Sheiks. Two more CD's are already near completion and scheduled for release in 1995. The Memphis Sheiks are on a mission: when Robert Nighthawk II is heard saying (as he often does) "let's go forth and make a joyful noise," he's not just whistling Dixie

reviews

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  • Happy to Have These Blues!
    author: Brianna

    An all-around great blues CD. It hardly leaves my stereo!

  • Resonator Guitar and amplified harp. Perfect!
    author: Rick B

    Nice lyrics. The one about Soda Water John seemed to be deeply felt. The other lyrics are somewhat typical of the genre, mostly men and women mistreating each other. Solid song writing but nothing else stuck out as much. But the vocals are quite good. The slide guitar and mellow amplified harp, and upright piano are recorded with audiophile quality which is a great treat for my ears. Despite my criticism, I will be listening to this again and again because it is that good.

  • better than a cold beer at McBs
    author: Big Steve

    Tad pole,Stacey,Jeb and Big Steve think it is almost as good as it gets

  • better than a cold beer at McBs
    author: Big Steve

    Tad pole,Stacey,Jeb and Big Steve think it is almost as good as it gets

  • Awesome
    author: Doni

    This is a fantastic blues album - I love it. My other half, who isn't a huge blues fan, loves it too. Humor, story-telling, good rhythms... you got it all. Highly recommended!

  • Damn good album!
    author: Tom K

    Very impressive album from a two man band. Real bluesy with creative lyrics. Slow cooked pig meat. What a name for a blues album!!

  • Great Blues record
    author: John Stern

    One of the best pure blues records to come along in a long time. Worth every penny.

  • Another good one
    author: Michel Chesnais

    Anther good one. One listen and you'll recognise it for what it is - A best !

  • Pure Awesome
    author: Bob Suosso

    This CD is probably one of the best I have ever purchased. Can't stop playing it. Soda Water John is pure classic. Just pure, kick back, crack one open, and relax type music with an occaisonal chuckle. Thanks Memphis Sheiks.

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