Blues Roadhouse

Lil Ed’ & the Blues Imperials — “Slideways” — Alligator Records

You could pick a whole lot of words to describe the music of Lil’ Ed and his Blues Imperials.

But they better include blistering, dynamic and fiery — because that’s exactly what slide guitar wizard Ed Williams brings to his tough, traditional Chicago blues.

And that’s what you get on “Slideways,” the band’s tenth album, its first in 10 years. Williams is 70 now, but the raw power of his music is undiminished.

His voice is a little deeper, but so much the better to power his dynamic music. His guitar work is a little different here, with more single-note playing, but there’s still plenty of snarling blues in those strings.

Ed and his Imperials have been careening through the blues for nearly 40 years, but their music remains refreshingly true to its barroom roots. The band was elected to the Blues Hall of Fame in 2024.

The origins of Williams’ power and skill lie deep in Chicago blues history — his uncle was the legendary slidemaster J.B. Hutto.

“J.B. taught me everything I know,” Williams says. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.” Ed and his half-brother and bassist James “Pookie” Young, spent their teen years making music together, and in 1975 formed the first incarnation of The Blues Imperials.

Since 1989, the band’s lineup has remained rock steady — Williams, Michael Garrett on rhythm guitar and vocals, Young on bass and Kelly Littleton on drums. Ben Levin adds terrific piano and organ on eight tracks on this session. Alligator President Bruce Iglauer checks in with Williams as co-producer, a testament to Williams’ exalted place in the Alligator blues universe. The album’s release also helps the record label celebrate its 55th year.

The band comes out blazing with its first three songs: The insistent boogie of “Bad All By Myself, the rocking “One Foot On The Brake, One On The Gas” and the sly humor of “The Flirt In The Car Wash Skirt.” The haunting slow blues of “Homeless Blues” (the only non-original song here) and the solemn warning contained in “Wayward Women” reach deep for their emotional impact, both in dark contrast to the raucous blues that surround them.

Oher highlights include “13th Street and Trouble,” with Levin’s rollicking piano chasing Williams’ slide in a furious take. “What Kind of World is This?” offers a thoughtful look at a troubled world, and “Make a Pocket for Your Grief” offers its own lessons in life. More blistering blues awaits in “More Time,” “Crazy Love Affair,” “Cold Side of the Bed” and the closer “You Can’t Strike Gold From A Silver Mine” — all filled with the raw power of great Chicago blues.

So yes, you could use a whole lot of words to describe the music of Lil’ Ed and his Blues Imperials. I just did. But it would’ve been a lot simpler just to say: This is a vital album filled with the increasingly rare honesty of living Chicago blues. Get it while you can!

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Here’s a recent interview with Lil’ Ed in the Chicago Blues Guide.

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Here’s “Bad All By Myself” from the album:

Tracklist & credits

1. Bad All By Myself
2. One Foot On The Brake, One On The Gas
3. The Flirt In The Car Wash Skirt
4. Homeless Blues
5. 13th Street And Trouble
6. Make A Pocket For Your Grief
7. More Time
8. If I Should Lose Your Love
9. Wayward Women
10. Crazy Love Affair
11. Cold Side Of The Bed
12. What Kind Of World Is This?
13. You Can’t Strike Gold From A Silver Mine

Lil’ Ed Williams: Guitar and Vocals
Michael Garrett: Guitar (middle solo on Homeless Blues , first middle solo on More Time, middle solo on Crazy Love Affair)
James “Pookie” Young: Bass
Kelly Littleton: Drums
with
Ben Levin: Piano (3,5,7,10) or Organ (4,6,9,11)