#1
shanky-mo | Northport, New York USA | 05/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have at least 15 different Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee CD's, maybe more. This one is my favorite hands down. Brownie McGhee sounds so good doing the backup vocals on a lot of tracks, and Sonny has never sounded better singing in my opinion. Most of the songs Sonny sings on other albums, I don't care for that much. I actually prefer to hear Brownie and not Sonny. But this one is just outstanding. All these songs feel so good to listen to. I think this is the CD that the two of them were at there absolute BEST. Overall I rank this one in my Top 10 Blues CD's that I own. And I own well over 100 of different artists A-Z."
Folk blues
Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 09/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry recorded a handful of albums for the Folkways label in the 1950's, out of which was collected an excellent CD compilation called The Folkways Years. This complete album was made in November 1957 and is typical of what they were doing at this time. By typical I don't mean average, but very good. The material tends toward folk blues - older styles, traditional verses, etc. JOHN HENRY gets yet another treatment and OLD JABO, a minstrel tune, also appears. Sonny sings a tribute to Huddie Ledbetter ("Leadbelly") in BEST OF FRIENDS, a tune he also recorded on the Bluesville label. Although nothing here really jumps out and bangs you on the head in ecstasy, everything is done professionally and consistently well. Brownie's smooth, sophisticated vocals are always a delight."