Black Magic is a studio album by Chicago blues musician Magic Sam. Delmark Records released it under the name of "Magic Sam Blues Band", in November 1969, shortly before his death. The album was a follow-up to Magic Sam's highly influential studio debut, West Side Soul (1968), and also includes a mix of originals with songs written by his contemporaries.
Critical reception
Bill Dahl, in a retrospective review for AllMusic, gave the album four and a half stars out of five. He called it "another instant classic" and noted some R&B-style influenced songs.
Blues historian Gerard Herzhaft commented that the album, along with West Side Soul, "brought unanimous praise from the critics. Today , they are considered classics of the Chicago blues".
In 1990, Black Magic was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame as a classic of blues recording. The induction statement includes:
Track listing Side A "I Just Want a Little Bit"Rosco Gordon wrote and recorded "Just a Little Bit" in 1959. – 3:03 "What Have I Done Wrong" – 3:10 "Easy, Baby"Magic Sam first recorded the Willie Dixon composition "Easy Baby" for Cobra Records in 1958. – 3:54 "You Belong to Me" – 4:05 "It's All Your Fault"Lowell Fulson is credited with "It's All Your Fault" on Magic Sam's Rockin' Wild in Chicago album (2002). – 4:50 Side B "I Have the Same Old Blues"Little Milton wrote and recorded "Same Old Blues" for Bobbin Records in 1959, with an additional credit for Oliver Sain. – 3:32 "You Don't Love Me Baby"Willie Cobbs recorded "You Don't Love Me" in 1960, which was adapted from Bo Diddley's 1955 song "She's Fine, She's Mine". – 3:29 "San-Ho-Zay" [instrumental]Freddie King wrote and recorded the guitar instrumental "San-Ho-Say" in 1961. – 3:53 "Stop! You're Hurting Me" – 4:47 "Keep Loving Me Baby"Otis Rush wrote and recorded "Keep On Loving Me Baby" in 1958.– 3:30
Personnel Magic Samvocals, guitar Eddie Shawtenor saxophone Lafayette Leakepiano Mighty Joe Youngguitar Mack Thompsonbass Odie Payne Jr.drums
References