Living Blues Comeback Artist of the Year is….

Living Blues has given Ironing Board Sam the honor of “Comeback Artist of the Year” in their Critic’s Poll. We are so proud that the magazine has recognized Sam for his hard work this past year – with the assistance of Music Maker he was able to record and release his album, “Going Up,” secured regular gigs in the Chapel Hill, NC area, where he now lives, and performed at festivals nationwide. But it was Sam’s amazing return to a packed Blues Tent at Jazzfest in April 2012 that caught eyes of music lovers all across the nation.

Sam is definitely “back,” with gigs in Switzerland and the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise coming up. He has come a long way since 2010, when he told Tim Duffy he had given up on music. Tonight, Sam begins a weekly gig at “The Crunkleton” in Chapel Hill. Gary Crunkleton is a great supporter of MM, and when he found out Sam was in the area he knew he wanted Sam to play regularly at his bar. If you’re in Chapel Hill check Sam out tonight and every Thursday from 7:30 – 10pm at The Crunkleton!

photo by Gregg Roth

Alabama Slim is goin’ upstairs to bring down all his clothes. If anybody asks about him, just tell ’em that he walked outdoors.

Slim issues a proclamation to his lady in “Going Upstairs” in that characteristically smooth, cool style of his: If you don’t want me anymore, then I’m leaving. With only the rhythmic pulse of his electric guitar to back him, Slim delivers a few determined verses and doesn’t look back. He begins and ends the tune with a haunting, high-pitched moan, reminiscent of Howlin’ Wolf’s. Slim occasionally lets himself slip back into an emotionally vulnerable falsetto, speaking directly to the woman who is driving him out and bringing the listener a little closer to his pain. By the tune’s last howl, we’re all well aware that Slim is down the road and gone.

Listen to “Going Upstairs” above; it can be found on The Mighty Flood, Slim’s 2005 collaboration with Little Freddie King.

— Matt

Matt Dailey is a Music Maker intern assisting with the audio archive while completing his Masters in Library Science at UNC Chapel Hill.