Label: Virgin.
Release Date: 1996.
Release Info: Compilation.
Recording Time: 66 minutes.
Recording Date: May 5, 1937 - December 11, 1941.
Styles: Chicago Blues, Harmonica Blues, Regional Blues, Acoustic Chicago Blues.
The original Sonny Boy Williamson wrote some enduring blues classics, many of them included in this collection. Of the 22 tracks, done in acoustic mode from the late '30s and very early '40s, you hear his biting vocals and harmonica playing on familiar pieces "Good Morning Little School Girl," "Suzie-Q," "Early in the Morning," "Decoration Blues," the still poignant "War Time Blues," and the humorous "Black Panther Blues." This is likely as solid a single Sonny Boy CD as you might find, save complete compilations, and comes easily recommended. - Review by Michael G. Nastos.
Credits: Joshua Altheimer - piano; Big Bill Broonzy - guitar (electric); Blind John Davis - piano; Walter Davis - piano; Alfred Elkins - bass; Will Hatcher - mandolin; Ransom Knowling - bass; Patrick Masse - liner notes; Robert Lee McCoy - guitar; Yank Rachell - guitar, mandolin; Speckled Red - piano; Henry Townsend - guitar; Washboard Sam - washboard; Big Joe Williams - guitar; Fred Williams - drums; Sonny Boy Williamson II - composer, harmonica, primary artist, vocals; Sonny Boy Williamson I - composer, performer, primary artist.
Tracks: 1) Whiskey Headed Blues; 2) You've Been Foolin' Round Downtown; 3) Christmas Morning Blues; 4) Goodbye Red; 5) Insurance Man Blues; 6) Good Morning Little Schoolgirl; 7) Bluebird Blues; 8) I'm Tired Trucking My Blues Away; 9) Sugar Mama Blues; Boy Williamson II; Boy Williamson I; 10) Susie-Q; 11) Decoration Blues; 12) Down South; 13) Tell Me, Baby; 14) Early in the Morning; 15) I Been Dealing with the Devil; 16) War Time Blues; 17) I'm Gonna Catch You Soon; 18) Black Panther Blues; 19) Sloppy Drunk Blues; 20) My Black Name Blues; 21) Broken Heart Blues; 22) I Have Got to Go.