Search - Sonny Boy Williamson :: Keep It to Ourselves

Stunning, startling, stupendous - that's Sonny Boy

04/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a surprisingly excellent recording for its age. The clarity is almost eerie - you can feel the connecting from lung to mouth to harmonica - a portrait in sound of a man's respiratory system! Okay, okay, that doesn't sound very appetizing, I know - but we're not talking country music here. This is true down and dirty blues by one of the great bluesmen of all time. Sonny Boy plays as if the instrument were literally a part of his body (not an original observation, I admit, but I don't recall where I read it). It is the soul, of course, that gives this work its excitement and depth. The pairing up sessions with Matt Murphy and Memphis Slim are absolutely precious. If you play the harmonica or have an interest in starting a blues collection - this is a great place to begin. It was where I started - and for me the delicious heartbreak of blues music reverberates best with this superb recording. Highly recommendable."

Major session by one of blues' greatest artists

JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 01/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First,don't confuse Sonny Boy Williamson with Sonny Boy Williamson.I mean,don't confuse Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller,born Aleck Ford,ca.1897,died May 25,1965),who's playing here,with Sonny Boy Williamson I,who was younger (born John Lee Williamson,1914-1948) but who recorded in the thirties,whereas the second didn't record before the end of the fourties.
Both two are among the most essential harmonica players in the blues history,with Sonny Terry ,Howlin' Wolf and Little Walter.Personnaly,I think that Rice Miller,the guy you'll listen to on this CD,is my favorite one.This very mysterious man (we still don't know his real name,Miller or Ford,neither his surname,neither his date of birth,1897,1899,or 1891 ?) was one of the major artists in the Chicago blues style,with Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf.He created an incredible music,full of roughness,energy and even violence.A music which clearly came from the delta,as Wolf and Muddy,but a very modern one (listen to Sonny Boy's amazing 50's recordings).As modern as Muddy,Wolf,or Robert Johnson;the only difference is that he was 15 or 20 years older than them.
Sonny Boy died in his sleep,May 25,1965,of "natural causes",but surely of too much alcohol.This record was made in Copenhagen,Denmark in 1963.It features the legendary Matt Murphy on acoustic guitar.Sonny Boy's harp ,sometimes almost vocal-like effects,make me think of great jazz trumpet or trombone players,like Bubber Miley or Joe Nanton.Here are real down home blues,and some essential ones.Listen to the pieces in which Sonny plays alone ("I can't understand");listen to his hit,"The sky is crying"(also an Elmore James' hit). Listen to the guest star,Memphis Slim himself,on "Same girl".Listen to Sonny's fascinating voice,surely one of the most expressive in blues.Listen to the great support of drummer's Bill Stepney.Listen to this exceptionnal blues album,exceptionnal because it's the only album in which Sonny Boy plays in an "unplugged" contest.If you like it,then jump to his 50's records.I discovered that his "one way out" CD sadly is out of stock;if you can find an used copy of it,don't miss it,this is one of the most important blues records of all times.It includes an incredible amount of total masterpieces.Don't miss this music,because it really swings like mad."

If you love raw gritty delta blues this is the CD for you!

Darren Burton | Ogden, Utah United States | 11/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sonny Boy Williamson is one of the hidden gems of blues music, known only to serious blues fans. This is unfortunate, because he is one of the most incredible blues harmonica players that ever lived. He made this recording when he was 66 years old, after playing the blues for 45 years. If you like Junior Wells, Big Walter Thorton, Carey Bell, Charlie Musslewhite, or William Clarke - you will enjoy this CD."