SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 4 • 1941-1945 | DOCD-5058 (1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A comprehensive collection of the pioneer bluesman's work during the World War II years, with the exception of the period of the infamous Musician's Union ban on recording. Some of the topical songs--"Win the War Blues" and "We Got to Win"--comment directly on then current events, but there also songs adapted from other blues singers.

"Ground Hog," for example, is a variant of Tony Hollins' "Crawlin' King Snake," while "She Don't Love Me That Way" cribs from Sleepy John Estes. The overall sound, however, splits the difference between the earlier country blues of Sonny Boy Williamson's Bluebird Records period and the proto-Chicago blues to come. AllMusic

Abridged from this album’s booklet notes. From the date of his first recordings in 1937 (Document DOCD-5055) until his death a decade later Sonny Boy Williamson was the undisputed king of the blues harmonica, at least in Chicago. Although there were plenty of other artists using the instrument only William ‘Jazz’ Gillum achieved anything like the popularity of the boy from Jackson, Tennessee and even Jazz could never claim the mastery that Sonny Boy underlined with every performance. The period spanned on this Volume encompasses the bulk of World War Two and the infamous ban on recording brought about by James C. Petrillo. Petrillo became president of the Chicago local of the musician’s union in 1922, and was president of the American Federation of Musicians from 1940 to 1958. Petrillo dominated the union with absolute authority. His most famous actions were banning all commercial recordings by union members from 1942 – 1944 and again in 1948 to pressure record companies to give better royalty deals to musicians. Although Sonny Boy never commented on this event he was very vocal about the conflict which he saw as a chance for the black American to both prove himself and improve his lot. Check Up On My Baby is a rallying call track to prevent Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo from ‘treatin’ your baby wrong’, while Win The War Blues sees Sonny Boy fantasizing that “Uncle Sam” is going to give me a Thunderbolt. The usual amount of women seems to be involved in his life and this is reflected on the tracks Mattie Mae, Stella Brown, Black Panter Blues and Desperado Woman. Panter is an American variant of panther and the description of this lethal lady is described in the lyric “You should have heard me holler, I didn’t have time to swaller”. In contrast to this is She Was A Dreamer. Other songs in the session include Ground Hog Blues a variant of a Tony Hollins hit called “Crawlin’ King Snake” and She Don’t Love Me That Way which gathers in verses associated with sources as disparate as Sleepy John Estes and Lil Green‘s “Why Don’t You Do Right”. Another track Million Year Blues later became a hit for Eddie Boyd, whilst My Black Name Blues re-uses some lines from Leroy Carr‘s “Twenty Four Hours”. DOCD-5058
Tracklist :
1        Drink On, Little Girl 3:07
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass [probably] – William Mitchell
2        Mattie Mae Blues 3:07
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass [probably] – William Mitchell
3        I'm Gonna Catch You Soon 2:47
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
4        Million Years Blues 3:05
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
5        Shady Grove Blues 2:52
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
6        Sloppy Drunk Blues 3:16
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
7        She Was A Dreamer 2:39
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
8        You Got To Step Back 2:58
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
9        Ground Hog Blues 2:44
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass – Alfred Elkins
10        Black Panter Blues 2:33
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass – Alfred Elkins
11        Broken Heart Blues 2:50
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass – Alfred Elkins
12        She Don't Love Me That Way 2:42
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washboard – Washboard Sam
Washtub Bass – Alfred Elkins
13        My Black Name Blues 2:46
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washboard – Washboard Sam
Washtub Bass – Alfred Elkins
14        I Have Got To Go 2:47
Guitar – Charlie McCoy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washboard – Washboard Sam
Washtub Bass – Alfred Elkins
15        Love Me, Baby 3:23
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass – Alfred Elkins
16        What's Gettin' Wrong With You? 2:50
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass – Alfred Elkins
17        Blues That Made Me Drunk 3:00
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass – Alfred Elkins
18        Come On, Baby, And Take A Walk 2:49
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass – Alfred Elkins
19        Miss Stella Brown Blues 2:50
Drums – Armand "Jump" Jackson
Guitar – Ted Summitt
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
20        Desperado Woman Blues 2:39
Drums – Armand "Jump" Jackson
Guitar – Ted Summitt
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
21        Win The War Blues 2:48
Drums – Armand "Jump" Jackson
Guitar – Ted Summitt
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
22        Check Up On My Baby Blues 2:45
Drums – Armand "Jump" Jackson
Guitar – Ted Summitt
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
23        G.M. & O. Blues 2:43
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Guitar – Bill Sid Cox
Piano – Eddie Boyd
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
24        We Got To Win 2:43
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Guitar – Bill Sid Cox
Piano – Eddie Boyd
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
25        Sonny Boy's Jump 2:50
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Guitar – Bill Sid Cox
Piano – Eddie Boyd
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
26        Elevator Woman 2:41
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Guitar – Bill Sid Cox
Piano – Eddie Boyd
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson

SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 5 • 1945-1947 | DOCD-5059 (1991) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

A comprehensive collection of the great blues pioneer's final work, recorded between 1945 and 1947. (This is the Sonny Boy Williamson who was murdered in 1948, not the one who toured with the Yardbirds in England in 1963).

Most of the tracks here include electric guitar (check out Willie Lacey's Charlie Christian licks on "Sugar Gal" and "Alcohol Blues") and drums. The overall sound is eerily prescient of Chicago blues (the great Willie Dixon is present on bass on several of the songs), the jump blues style of Louis Jordan ("Apple Tree Swing"), and rock & roll. AllMusic

Abridged from this ablum’s original booklet notes. Between 1944 and the end of his career (and life) in 1948, Sonny Boy Williamson had gone from strength to strength. He had already made reference in song to his appreciation of artists like Fats Waller and he seemed determinedly updating his sound. More and more of Sonny Boy‘s recordings featured a solid up tempo beat, often provided by drummers such as Jump Jackson or Judge Riley, and the guitarists and the pianists that he favoured (Willie Lacy, big Bill Broonzy and Blind John Davis – even Big Maceo and the ever adaptable Tampa Red for one session) were also capable of moving with the times, providing jazzier accompaniments to show off Sonny Boy‘s ever increasing skills on the harmonica. For his last sessions Sonny Boy continued the mix as before but now the performances had more punch and a marked, deliberate swing. He still returned to his roots, recording such tracks as Bring Another Half Pint. The term ‘swing’ seems to have replaced the previous ‘jump’ in a couple of tracks like Rub A Dub, Polly Put The Kettle On and Mellow Chick Swing. Having weathered the recording bans and the war years with his popularity unimpaired, Sonny Boy was the undisputed leader and trend setter for blues harmonica players all over the country. Sadly Sonny Boy Williamson would not go onto explore his musical range further. He was murdered on his way from a gig at the Plantation Club on the early morning of 1st June 1948. Attacked and robbed, Sonny Boy managed to get back to his flat. When his wife Lacey Belle opened the door she was confronted by the awful sight of Sonny Boy covered in blood, swaying on his feet. “Lord have mercy” were his final words before slipping into unconsciousness from which he never awoke. As the five volumes presented on Document of his entire output attest, the legacy and influence of Sonny Boy Williamson 1st, has been pivotal both upon fellow and future blues harmonica players. DOCD-5059
Tracklist :
1        Early In The Morning 3:02
Drums – Charles Saunders
Guitar – Tampa Red
Piano – Big Maceo
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
2        The Big Boat 2:59
Drums – Charles Saunders
Guitar – Tampa Red
Piano – Big Maceo
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
3        Stop Breaking Down 2:57
Drums – Charles Saunders
Guitar – Tampa Red
Piano – Big Maceo
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
4        You're An Old Lady  3:12
Drums – Charles Saunders
Guitar – Tampa Red
Piano – Big Maceo
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
5        Sonny Boy's Cold Chills 3:06
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Guitar – Willie Lacey
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
6        Mean Old Highway 3:25
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Guitar – Willie Lacey
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
7        Hoodoo Hoodoo 2:55
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Guitar – Willie Lacey
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
8        Shake The Boogie 2:47
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Guitar – Willie Lacey
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
9        Mellow Chick Swing 2:36
Double Bass – Willie Dixon
Drums – Charles Saunders
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
10        Polly, Put The Kettle On 2:30
Double Bass – Willie Dixon
Drums – Charles Saunders
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
11        Lacey Belle 2:52
Double Bass – Willie Dixon
Drums – Charles Saunders
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
12        Apple Tree Swing 2:26
Double Bass – Willie Dixon
Drums – Charles Saunders
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
13        Wonderful Time 3:04
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Willie Lacey
Piano – Eddie Boyd
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
14        Sugar Gal 3:01
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Willie Lacey
Piano – Eddie Boyd
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
15        Willow Tree Gal 3:13
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Willie Lacey
Piano – Eddie Boyd
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
16        Alcohol Blues 2:50
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Willie Lacey
Piano – Eddie Boyd
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
17        Little Girl 2:54
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
18        Blues About My Baby 2:59
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
19        No Friend Blues 2:52
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
20        I Love You For Myself 3:02
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
21        Bring Another Half A Pint 3:05
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
22        Southern Dream 2:47
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
23        Rub A Dub 2:41
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
24        Better Cut That Out 2:59
Double Bass – Ransom Knowling
Drums – Judge Riley
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson