Label: Document Records.
Release Date: 1991.
Releases: August 15, 1992; October 25, 2005.
Recording Time: 69 minutes.
Recording Date: October 19, 1945 - November 12, 1947.
Styles: Acoustic Chicago Blues, Chicago Blues, Harmonica Blues, Regional Blues.
A comprehensive collection of the great blues pioneer's final work, recorded between 1945 and 1947. (This is the Sonny Boy Williamson who was murdered in 1948, not the one who toured with the Yardbirds in England in 1963). Most of the tracks here include electric guitar (check out Willie Lacey's Charlie Christian licks on "Sugar Gal" and "Alcohol Blues") and drums. The overall sound is eerily prescient of Chicago blues (the great Willie Dixon is present on bass on several of the songs), the jump blues style of Louis Jordan ("Apple Tree Swing"), and rock & roll.
Credits: Eddie Boyd - piano; Keith Briggs - liner notes; Big Bill Broonzy - guitar; Allison Brown - composer; Blind John Davis - piano; Willie Dixon - bass, sax (baritone), string bass; Robert Johnson - composer; Ransom Knowling - bass, sax (baritone), string bass; Willie James Lacey - guitar; Big Maceo Merriweather - piano; Johnny Parth - compilation producer, producer; Judge Riley - drums, guitar; Charles Saunders - drums; Tampa Red - guitar; Casey Bill Weldon - composer; Williamson - composer; Sonny Boy Williamson II - composer; Sonny Boy Williamson I - composer, harmonica, harmonica (amplified), primary artist, vocals.
Tracks: 1) Early in the morning; 2) The big boat; 3) Stop breaking down; 4) You're an old lady; 5) Sonny Boy's cold chills; 6) Mean old highway; 7) Hoodoo hoodoo; 8) Shake the boogie; 9) Mellow chick swing; 10) Polly put your kettle on; 11) Lacey Belle; 12) Apple tree swing; 13) Wonderful time; 14) Sugar gal; 15) Willow tree gal; 16) Alcohol blues; 17) Little girl; 18) Blues about my baby; 19) No friend blues; 20) I love you for myself; 21) Bring another half a pint; 22) Southern dream; 23) Rub a dub; 24) Better cut that out.