Shawn Holt And The Teardrops

Daddy Told Me
Blind Pig Records

With the passing of Morris Holt, better known to the world as Magic Slim, it left a huge void in the Chicago blues scene. These are big shoes to fill, but it appears that his son Shawn Holt is open and willing to take the challenge of pursuing his father’s legacy. Scott is an exceptional guitarist and vocalist who crafted his skills while working with his father and he has taken on the role of his daddy by leading his former Blues Music Award winning band The Teardrops, releasing their first disc under his leadership on Blind Pig Records titled Daddy Told Me. This recording definitely continues that great Chicago feel letting us know that the tradition will carry on.

Shawn proves himself a talented songwriter, penning five of the tracks on this disc, including the title track “Daddy Told Me,” a grinding guitar number with the words of wisdom to “never love the same woman twice,” as that woman has left you before and been gone too long that she must have something on her mind to come back. “Hold You Again” is another self-written number that showcases Shawn’s guitar prowess in a slower blues pace explaining how nowadays his tears are his only friend. The rolling beat of “Love Got Me Walkin’” has a catchy groove with solid bass line and “You Done Me Wrong” takes on an Elmore James feel.

Jimmy Reed’s “Down In Virginia,” Buster Brown’s “Fannie Mae,”Bo Diddley’s “Before You Accuse Me,” and Junior Wells’ “Little By Little” are all covered to perfection and there are also takes on his father’s compositions “Buddy Buddy Friend” and “Please Don’t Dog Me” that pay tribute to the elder bluesman quite nicely.

The Teardrops are made up of Levi William on second guitar, Chris Biedron on bass and Brian “BJ” Jones on drums. They are also joined on two tracks by former Teardops member and Chicago icon John Primer who takes on the vocals on “Before You Accuse Me.”

Overall, this is a fine recording of Chicago style blues that does Magic Slim’s life work a lot of justice with his son carrying on his daddy’s craft. Slim’s shoes may be pretty big to fill, but they seem fit Shawn holt quite well.

 

Total Time: 48:48

Fannie Mae / Daddy Told Me / Hold You Again / Down In Virginia / Buddy Buddy Friend / Get Your Business Straight / Mean Little Woman / Before You Accuse Me / Love Got Me Walin’ / Little By Little / Please Don’t Dog Me / You Done Me Wrong