by Cub KodaTarheel Slim made some great almost-black rockabilly records for Bobby Robinson in the early '60s, but these 1975 recordings for Pete Lowery's Trix label are loose, informal, and largely acoustic performances. The good news is that they're every bit as engaged as the earlier, rockier Fire sides, full of involved vocals and plucky guitar work that veers between single-note clusters and fleet fingerpicked runs. For all the rough hewness of these recordings, Slim's personality comes through in full force, which makes for one powerful blues album in the bargain.