Label: RCA Bluebird/BMG Heritage.
Release Date: September 9, 2003.
Recording Time: 63 minutes.
Release Info: Compilation Studio Recording.
Recording Date: May 5, 1937 - November 25, 1947.
Recording information: Leland Hotel, Aurora, IL (05/05/1937-11/25/1947); RCA Studio A, Chicago, IL (05/05/1937-11/25/1947); RCA, Studio C, Chicago, IL (05/05/1937-11/25/1947).
Styles: Acoustic Chicago Blues, Chicago Blues, Regional Blues.
This is part of Bluebird's When The Sun Goes Down: The Secret History Of Rock & Roll series.
When the Sun Goes Down, Vol. 8: Bluebird Blues focuses on 25 excellent performances by John Lee Williamson (aka Sonny Boy Williamson I, not to be confused with Rice Miller aka Sonny Boy Williamson II). These tracks were originally recorded between May 1937 through November 1947 for RCA Victor and include the staples "Sugar Mama Blues," "Blue Bird Blues," and one of the most recorded tunes in both blues and rock, "Good Morning, School Girl." Joining the versatile prewar harmonica wizard on numerous tracks are Big Joe Williams, Robert Lee McCoy, Henry Townsend, Yank Rachell, Blind John Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Willie Dixon, and Eddie Boyd. If the only Sonny Boy you're familiar with is Rice Miller, give Sonny Boy I equal space in your collection. This is a great disc to start with. - Review by Al Campbell.
Compilation producers: Colin Escott, Barry Feldman, David Evans.
Includes liner notes by Colin Escott, Dr. David Evans.
Producers: Lester Melrose.
Photographer: T.W. Utley.
Personnel: Sonny Boy Williamson I (vocals, harmonica); Yank Rachell (guitar, mandolin); Charlie McCoy, Henry Townsend, Bill Sid Cox, Robert Lee McCoy, Willie James Lacey, Big Bill Broonzy, Big Joe Williams (guitar); Willie Thatcher (mandolin); Eddie Boyd, Joshua Altheimer, Speckled Red, Walter Davis, Blind John Davis (piano); Ransom Knowling (bass); Fred Williams, Judge Riley, Charles Sanders (drums); Washboard Sam (washboard).
Credits: Joshua Altheimer - piano; Eddie Boyd - piano; Big Bill Broonzy - guitar; Bill Sid Cox - guitar; Blind John Davis - piano; Walter Davis - piano; Willie Dixon Band - bass; Alfred Elkins - bass; Colin Escott - liner notes, reissue producer; Dr. David Evans - liner notes, reissue producer; Barry Feldman - reissue producer; Gary Kelley - cover illustration; Ransom Knowling - bass; Willie James Lacey - guitar; Charlie McCoy - guitar; Robert Lee McCoy - guitar; Lester Melrose - producer; Doug Pomeroy - audio restoration, mastering, transfers; Yank Rachell - guitar, mandolin; Judge Riley - drums; Charles Sanders - drums; Joshua Sherman - series producer; Speckled Red - piano; Willie Thatcher - mandolin; Henry Townsend - guitar; T.W. Utley - photography; Washboard Sam - washboard; Big Joe Williams - guitar; Fred Williams - drums; Sonny Boy Williamson II - composer; Sonny Boy Williamson I - composer, harmonica, primary artist, vocals.
Tracks: 1) Good Morning, School Girl; 2) Blue Bird Blues; 3) Sugar Mama Blues; 4) Got the Bottle Up and Gone; 5) Early in the Morning; 6) Whiskey Headed Blues; 7) Decoration Blues; 8) Deep Down in the Ground; 9) I Been Dealing with the Devil; 10) My Little Machine; 11) Jivin' the Blues; 12) Western Union Man; 13) My Baby Made a Change; 14) Mattie Mae Blues; 15) Sloppy Drunk Blues; 16) Million Years Blues; 17) She Was a Dreamer; 18) My Black Name Blues; 19) Sonny Boy's Jump; 20) Elevator Woman; 21) Hoodoo Hoodoo; 22) Mellow Chick Swing; 23) Polly Put Your Kettle On; 24) Alcohol Blues; 25) Better Cut That Out.