Review of Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials’ album “Slideways” on Rock & Blues Muse

bs and one second take. Ten songs were culled from that session, resulting in their 1986 debut, Roughhousin’. Yet the band hit a new gear when guitarist Mike Garrett and his hometown Detroit friend, drummer Kelly Littleton, signed on. As the title of their debut album suggests, theirs is a ragged, hard-edged sound that remains intact 40 years later.

Slideways marks the band’s return after a decade since their last album, The Big Sound of Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials in 2016. For that record, they had Chicago keyboardist Sumito “Ariyo” Ariyoshi, but this time they feature Cincinnati’s Ben Levin, another skilled traditional player who plays piano and organ on eight of the eleven tracks. While they may not reach the comedic heights of “Icicles In My Meatloaf” from the previous album, tracks like “The Flirt In The Car Wash Skirt” and “You Can’t Strike Gold From a Silver Mine” showcase their trademark humor. With the guidance from co-producer Iglauer and the ten-year gap between records, Lil’ Ed showcases a new playing style, incorporating more single notes alongside his classic slide guitar sound.

The album presents a mix of boogie tracks like the fervent “Bad All By Myself” and the potentially autobiographical “The Flirt in the Car Wash.” The addition of Levin on piano on the latter adds a new dimension to their sound. The single-note slide technique shines in songs like “One Foot on the Brake, One on the Gas” and “If I Should Lose Your Love.” The energetic “13th Street and Trouble” features Garrett on leads, highlighting their traditional Chicago blues roots. Tracks like “More Time” and “Crazy Love Affair” showcase the guitar interplay between Lil’ Ed and Garrett, keeping the blues spirit alive.

Lil’ Ed imparts his wisdom through songs like “Make a Pocket for Your Grief” and the poignant closer, “You Can’t Strike Gold from a Silver Mine.” However, it is the slower blues numbers like ‘Wayward Women,” enriched by Levin’s B3 organ, and “Homeless Blues” that truly stand out. The emotional depth in “Homeless Blues,” where Lil’ Ed reflects on the plight of the homeless, showcases his rawest slide playing and heartfelt vocals. The track captures the essence of the struggle of the homeless in Chicago, evoking a sense of sorrow and empathy.

Slideways embodies the authentic, unfiltered Chicago blues sound of Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials, arguably their finest work yet. The album encapsulates the pure essence of traditional blues, resonating with genuine emotion and soul. From the lively boogies to the soul-stirring ballads, each track showcases the band’s versatility and musical prowess. With Lil’ Ed’s captivating stage presence and the band’s unparalleled chemistry, Slideways is a testament to their enduring legacy in the blues genre.