Search - Sonny Boy Williamson :: Later Years 1939-1947

SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON-THE LATER YEARS 1939-1947

Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 02/03/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Four discs-77,75,75,75 minutes each approximately. Remastered sound which is clean yet still retains the warmth and feel of it's era. JSP has continued it's fine coverage of the real Sonny Boy Williamson(not the later bluesman who took his name) in this second set of discs.



Like the first volume,this is not exclusively Williamson,but includes others,Yank Rachell and Big Joe Williams, who recorded during the same time,who Williamson accompanied. Other people like Big Bill Broonzy,Washboard Sam,Big Maceo,Tampa Red,and Willie Dixon make appearances here on quite a number of tracks. Rachell and Williams are featured vocalists,others play as sidemen(including Williamson) on various tracks. There are also a number of bluesmen that long-time blues listeners will know. People like Blind John Davis on piano,Ransom Knowling on bass,Jump Jackson on drums,and the great Eddie Boyd on piano.



To be honest there is only one track recorded in 1939 and a few from 1940-this set really takes off in 1941. The songs are based on something that either happened in the past or might possibly happen in the future in the lives of these blues singers. They deal with everyday life("Hobo Blues"),drinking("Alcohol Blues"),women("My Little Machine"),the war("Win The War Blues"),and variations of all the above. Most of the tracks feature Williamson on vocals and harp,but the other featured vocalists are at the very least his equal.



One of the best singers on this set is Yank Rachell. His slurred,lived in voice will take you back to his era in the first few bars. For the real feel of the blues he ranks alongside Big Joe Williams,whose voice and guitar are also a high point of the set. The harp accompaniment on these sides is,of course Williamson,who fills in the holes and punctuates the vocal and guitar of Rachell and Williams.



The notes are informative and entertaining to read (as always) and each disc is in it's own jewel case for protection. The outer cardboard box is(as always) a bit on the flimsy side,but that's okay because having this music collected in one set(along with volume one) at such fair prices is great. Hopefully blues lovers will pick up on this vital music from a long gone era,now vanished,so JSP can continue to release even more of this wonderful music."