Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0076732937723
Label: Chess
Manufacturer: Chess
MPN: 9377
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Chess
Release Date: May 20, 1997
Studio: Chess

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Disc 1:

1. Good Evening Everybody
2. Don't Start Me to Talkin'
3. All My Love in Vain
4. Keep It to Yourself
5. Fattening Frogs for Snakes
6. I Don't Know
7. Cross My Heart
8. Born Blind
9. Ninety Nine
10. Your Funeral and My Trial
11. Keep Your Hands Out of My Pockets
12. Sad to Be Alone
13. Checkin' up on My Baby
14. Down Child
15. Nine Below Zero
16. Bye Bye Bird - Sonny Boy Williamson, Dixon, Willie
17. Help Me
18. Bring It on Home - Sonny Boy Williamson, Dixon, Willie
19. My Younger Days
20. One Way Out - Sonny Boy Williamson, James, Elmore

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Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
This is Sonny Boy Williamson II, whose 1940s Mississippi Delta radio broadcasts for King Biscuit Time made him one of the most influential of all blues musicians. A master harmonica player, he created relaxed songs, often humorous, that reminded urban listeners of their country roots. These tracks are from his years at Chess, beginning in the mid-1950s until his death in 1965. His recording bands feature Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, and Robert Lockwood Jr., among others. Perhaps his best-known track here is "Don't Start Me to Talkin' (I'll Tell You Everything I Know)," but his signature sound is evident on every high trill he played. --Robert Gordon

Album Description:
Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing. Universal. 2008.




Rating: - An inexpensive gem
I am amazed that this cost so little, but was SOOOOO good. Sonnny Boy II is (IMHO) the better of the Sonny Boys. A lot of people will justifiably rave about his skill on the harp, but do not let that distract you from his vocals. This performer has a tremendous voice.
Sonny Boy Williamson II is a complete blues package, musician and vocalist.

Although he is a polished performer, there is still a huge amount of emotion that comes through his work.

This recording ... Read More

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Rating: - Essential blues
Sonny Boy II is not my favorite. I like more honk from the harp and less undercurrent of menace from the vocals, and I like Little Walter's and Paul Butterfield's ways of extending the blues melodically without losing the Chicago of it. But Sonny Boy grows on me, and this album has a lot of great stuff for a guy like me to hear who's trying to pick up journeyman skills on the harp.

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Rating: - Sonny Boy # 2
When Aleck Ford, alias Alex "Rice" Miller, claimed during one his early Forties radio broadcasts for King Biscuit Time on KFFA in Helena, Arkansas to be THE "Sonny Boy" Williamson, John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson was already well known by that nickname in the Chicago area [see my review of the CD Shake The Boogie].

However, born on December 5, 1899 in Glendora, Mississippi, Ford would become the better known of the two, especially in Europe where, decked out in his two-tone suits and bowler ... Read More

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Rating: - Great harmonica work and a great blues voice
He was probably born Aleck or Alex Ford, took the name "Rice" Miller later on, and adopted the name of another fine blues player, Sonny Boy Williamson still later. His harmonica playing is wondrous to listen to; he was a mentor to such luminaries as Howlin' Wolf, Junior Wells, Little Walter, and so on. This CD features work from 1955 to 1964.

A few selections well illustrate his art.

"Good evening Everybody" begins the CD with typical riveting harmonica work. The instrument wails. ... Read More

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Rating: - Great Rice Miller Compilation
This is a wonderful collection of blues harmonica music. The Sonny Boy Williamson who was also known as Rice Miller was a masterful player, and a talented songwriter. His voice aged with him to produce that fine bluesy-gravelly sound that endears a blues performer to his audience.

Some of his classic songs like Don't Start Me To Talking, Your Funeral and My Trial, Fattening Frogs For Snakes, and Nine Below Zero are on this retrospective. This is a blues music collectors must have if you love harmonica ... Read More

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