See Willie Dixon's and Memphis Slim's individual descriptions for more info.
Album: Willie's Blues AllMusic Review by Stephen Cook
According to the original liner notes, this 1959 Willie Dixon session was cut during a two hour span in between flights. This certainly explains the relaxed, jam session feel of the recordings. Unfortunately, the songs come out sounding sluggish and stilted at times; this is partly due, no doubt, to the makeshift nature of the date, but also, more surprisingly, because of drummer Gus Johnson's overly slick and formalized playing. On top of this, one has to contend with Dixon's less-then-inspired vocals -- it's Dixon's writing talents and A&R savvy in the blues world that warrant him a place in the pantheon, not his skills at the microphone. That all said, this still is an enjoyable disc to listen to, not least of all because of the quality of Dixon's many originals and the freshness of pianist Memphis Slim's playing. And while the vaudevillian comedy of a song like "Built for Comfort" can be traced to Dixon's earlier pop R&B work with the Big Three Trio, rougher blues standouts like "Go Easy" and "Move Me" lead back to the Chicago blues world Dixon shared with Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Not a first disc for curious listeners, but certainly a pleasant enough addition to the blues lover's collection.
Album: Baby Please Come Home! Live in Paris AllMusic Review by Richie Unterberger
Recorded live in Paris, this has the two blues legends accompanying each other (Slim on piano, Dixon on bass) and trading lead vocals, backed by drummer Phillipe Combelle. It's not a landmark event in either of the legends' distinguished recording careers, but it's a nice enough outing with a friendly, low-key tone. Slim recorded a lot of LPs in the early '60s, often as a solo pianist/vocalist, and this is frankly more lively than his norm for the era, if for nothing else than the fact that he's playing in a band. The Dixon-sung tracks are interesting inasmuch as he didn't record much during this period, though he's really adequate at best as a singer. When Slim sings, he sticks mostly to self-penned material; the Dixon-fronted cuts may stir some curiosity among blues fans due to the inclusion of some of Willie's more obscure compositions, like the novelty-tinged "African Hunch with a Boogie Beat."
Beer Drinking Woman
Memphis Slim & Willie Dixon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the names have been changed to
Protect the innocent
The year nineteen hundred and forty
The city, Chicago the place, Rubin's Tavern
The story goes something like this
To give a girl a nice time
I had forty-five dollars when I enter
When I left I had one dime
Wasn't she a beer drinkin' woman?
Don't ya know, man don't ya know?
She was a beer-drinkin' woman
And I don't want to see her no more
Now, when I spend down to my last dime
She said, darlin' I know you're not through
I said, yes, baby doll
And the trophy belongs to you
Wasn't she a beer drinkin' woman?
Don't you know, man don't you know?
She was a beer-drinkin' woman
And I don't wanna see her no more
Now she'd often say, excuse me a minute
I've got to step around here
And every time she came back
She had room for another quart of beer
Wasn't that a beer drinkin' woman?
Don't ya know, man, don't ya know?
She was a beer drinkin' woman
And I don't want to see her no mo
The opening lines of Memphis Slim's "Beer Drinking Woman" make it clear that the story about to be told is based on true events, though the names have been changed to protect innocent parties. The song is set in Chicago in 1940 and takes place at Rubin's Tavern. The singer recalls entering the tavern with forty-five dollars to give a girl a good time, but by the time he left, he had only a single dime. The woman in question is presented as a heavy drinker and her habits appear to be the cause of the singer's sudden financial predicament.
As the song progresses, the singer laments the woman's beer-drinking ways and declares that he never wants to see her again. However, he also acknowledges her charm and appeal, as well as her ability to cajole him into buying more alcohol. The woman is presented as a larger-than-life figure, with an almost mythical ability to consume vast quantities of beer. Despite the singer's negative assessment of her, there is a sense of admiration for her ability to hold her liquor and continue drinking.
Overall, "Beer Drinking Woman" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive drinking, and the ways in which temptation can lead one down a path of ruin. It is also a tribute to the allure of those who are wild and reckless, and who live life with abandon.
Line by Line Meaning
The story's true ladies and gentlemen
This tale is genuine, and it's worth hearing.
All the names have been changed to protect the innocent
To safeguard the identities of the individuals involved, we've altered their names.
The year nineteen hundred and forty
This incident occurred in the year 1940.
The city, Chicago the place, Rubin's Tavern
This event took place within Chicago's Rubin's Tavern.
I walked into a beer tavern to give a girl a nice time
I entered the beer establishment with plans to have a lovely evening with a lady.
I had forty-five dollars when I entered
When I arrived, I had $45.
When I left I had one dime
However, after departing, I was only left with 10 cents.
Wasn't she a beer drinkin' woman?
Isn't it true that she was a woman who enjoyed consuming a lot of beer?
Don't ya know, man don't ya know?
Do you understand me, my friend?
She was a beer-drinkin' woman
Without a doubt, she was someone who indulged in a considerable amount of beer.
And I don't want to see her no more
And to be honest, I don't think I want to see her again.
Now when I spent down to my last dime
When I had virtually no money left,
She said darlin' I know you're not through
She seemed confident that I wasn't finished spending money yet, despite our current situation.
I said yes baby doll, and the trophy belongs to you
I replied that she was correct, and she could consider herself victorious.
Now she'd often say, excuse me a minute
On many occasions, she would say she needed to leave for a moment.
I've got to step around here
She would tell me that she needed to move around, likely to stretch her legs or grab another beer.
And every time she came back
Yet she would always return
She had room for another quart of beer
With enough space to indulge in another 32 ounces of beer.
Don't ya know, man, don't ya know?
Do you comprehend, my friend?
Wasn't that a beer drinkin' woman?
She certainly was a woman who enjoyed a lot of beer.
And I don't wanna see her no more
To be honest, I don't think I want to see her again.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER CHATMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind