Stagger Lee

n

Memphis Slim

Stackalee

Broken Soul Blues — 1961

Memphis Slim
Memphis Slim

Memphis Slim included "Stackalee" on his 1961 album Broken Soul Blues, a collection showcasing his talents as a blues vocalist and pianist. This album, released on the United Artists label, features twelve tracks, blending traditional blues with Slim's distinctive piano-driven style. The tracklist includes other blues standards like "John Henry," "Rock Me," and "How Long." Slim's version of "Stack Alee" reflects his ability to infuse classic material with his unique, emotionally resonant delivery and intricate piano work.

The album is praised for its edgy originality and the powerful expressiveness of Slim's performance, with his piano playing standing out as a driving force behind the arrangements.

Stackalee

I remember, when I was a little boy, sitting on my Mother's knee
She often told me the story about that bad man, Stackalee

She said, "Son, he was a bad man, he was the baddest man I know.
Well, he killed Billy Lyons, blue steel .44."

It were late last night, thought I heard my bulldog bark
Stackalee and Billy Lyons, squabbling in the dark

They did rob poor Billy Lyons, of every dime on Morris Street
Fool boy was bloody from his head down to his feet

Stackalee told Mrs. Billy Lyons, "You don't believe your man is dead?
Why don't you look around the corner, see what a hole he has in his head."

Tom Devlin, he asked his daughter, "Who can this bad man be?"
Said, "It must have been the bad fella called old Stackalee."