Born in Memphis 1n 1915, his father was a keen blues musician and a friend of Roosevelt Sykes, a jazz artist who taught Peter Chatman (Memphis Slim's real name) to play the piano in a blues/jazz style. Memphis Slim from an early age mixed in 'bluesy' clubs and bars on the famed Beale Street where he developed his playing and singing style.Later to further his career, he moved north to Chicago where he found regular work with the likes of Tampa Red and Big Bill Broonzy.He struck out on his own in 1940 and over a long period travelled extensively in North America and Europe before settling down in France where he was known as The Ambassador of the Blues in Europe.This compilation CD represents some of the best pieces from a time when he had fresh ideas and a hunger to be heard and are an excellent place to start appreciating his work and include such great numbers as "Last Pair Of Shoes Blues", "The Jive Blues", "You Didn't Mean Me No Good", and "Beer Drinking Blues."