Label: Chess Records.
Release Date: 1966.
Recording Time: 33 minutes.
Release Info: Studio Recording.
Recording Date: January 30, 1960 - 1964.
Releases: 1967 (MCA/Chess), 1990 (Chess), 2004 (Universal Distribution), 2007 (Universal Distribution), 2013 (DOL), 2013 (Universal Japan), 2015 (DOL).
Styles: Chicago Blues, Delta Blues, Electric Chicago Blues, Electric Harmonica Blues, Harmonica Blues, Regional Blues.
More good early-'60s Chess Recordings from Sonny Boy Williamson. "Help Me," "Bye Bye Bird," and "Nine Below Zero" have been covered by numerous blues and rock acts. Most of the songs, however, show up on the Essential best-of collection. - Review by Richie Unterberger.
Personnel: Jack Myers - bass (tracks 8 to 11); Milton Rector - bass (tracks 1, 2); Willie Dixon - bass (tracks 3 to 5, 7); Al Duncan - drums (tracks 1, 2); Clifton James - drums (tracks 8 to 11); Fred Below - drums (tracks 3, 7); Odie Payne - drums (tracks 4, 5); Buddy Guy - guitar (tracks 8 to 11); Luther Tucker - guitar (tracks 4, 5, 7); Matt Murphy - guitar (tracks 1, 2); Robert Lockwood Jr. - guitar (tracks 3 to 5, 7); Sonny Boy Williamson - harmonica, vocals; Lafayette Leake - organ (tracks 1, 2), piano (tracks 8 to 11); Otis Spann - piano (tracks 4, 5, 7); Don Hankins - saxophone (tracks 8 to 10); Jarrett Gibson - saxophone (tracks 8 to 10). Written by Sonny Boy Williamson (tracks 1, 3, 5 to 10, 13).
Credits: Ralph Bass - editing; Fred Below - drums; Don Bronstein - artwork; Marshall Chess - producer; Willie Dixon - bass, composer, vocals; Al Duncan - drums; Greg Fulginiti - mastering; Jarrett Gibson - sax (tenor); Buddy Guy - guitar; Donald Hankins - sax (baritone); Clifton James - drums; Lafayette Leake - organ, piano; Robert Lockwood, Jr. - guitar; Jack Meyers - bass (electric); Eddie King Milton - guitar; Matt "Guitar" Murphy - guitar; Jack Myers - bass (electric); Odie Payne, Jr. - drums; Milton Rector - bass (electric); Don Snowden - liner notes; Otis Spann - piano; Luther Tucker - bass, guitar, guitar (bass); Sonny Boy Williamson II - composer, harmonica, primary artist, vocals; Sonny Boy Williamson I - composer.
Tracks: 1) Help Me; 2) Bye Bye Bird; 3) Nine Below Zero; 4) The Hunt; 5) Stop Right Now; 6) She's My Baby; 7) The Goat; 8) Decoration Day; 9) Trying to Get Back on My Feet; 10) My Younger Days; 11) Close to Me; 12) Somebody Help Me.