SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 2 • 1938-1939 | DOCD-5056 (1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Document's Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1938-1939) picks up where the first volume left off, reissuing 24 tracks from the 13-month period of June 1938 to July 1939. Unfortunately, there weren't as many classic performances during this era, leaving this the odd one out from the many volumes in this set. Serious blues fans will still find much of interest here, including versions of "Susie-Q" and "You've Been Foolin' Round Town," plus a second stab at his classic "Sugar Mama Blues."  Thom Owens

Abridged from this album’s original booklet notes. By 1938 any lingering doubts Bluebird might have had about Sonny Boy Williamson had been laid to rest and they had him in the studio three times that year. Sonny Boy was joined by Big Joe Williams and Yank Rachell during his second session in the studio and it is speculated to be the latter playing guitar on the rather hastily arranged title track My Baby I’ve Been Your Slave. For the second number Yank Rachell is on his more usual instrument, the Mandolin, to contribute to the crisp backing of Whiskey Headed Blues, a number that has since been given various treatments by artists such as Tommy McClennan and John Lee Hooker. On Shannon Street Sonny Boy describes getting drunk in Jackson and his wife’s reaction to the event. Alcohol and Sonny Boy Williamson were not a good mix and he would have increasing problems with it throughout his life. Deep Down In The Ground is built on the base of another song “Stack of Dollars”, a song associated with Sleepy John Estes and often performed by Big Joe Williams. For the next session Sonny Boy Williamson found himself in the recording company of Robert Lee McCoy (Nighthawk) on guitar, Rufus ‘Speckled Red’ Perryman on piano and an unknown (speculated to be Willie Hatcher) on mandolin. This time round the songs were more of a mixture and Sonny Boy illustrates that both he and his Harmonica have made the transition from a country style of playing to a big city environment sound. On the tracks Little Girl Blues and Low Down Ways it is almost impossible to believe that the same man can be both playing and singing. Other tracks include the swing dance numbers Susie Q, and Goodbye Red which is a reply to Harlem Hamfats’ hugely successful “Oh Red!”. These upbeat, foot tapping, down-home numbers are balanced by the urban inspired tracks Insurance Man and The Right Kind Of Life. More innovations were to follow on the 1939 session where Sonny Boy was joined by Walter Davis and Big Bill Broonzy. One of the outstanding tracks Little Low Woman Blues has Sonny Boy playing a high register harmonica which foreshadows the sound of Jimmy Reed. Big Bill‘s guitar work is more sophisticated than that of Sonny Boy‘s previous partners, shown to good effect on the tracks Good For Nothing Blues and Sugar Mama Blues No.2 where his delicate runs and fills almost over-shadow the harmonica. On the final track Good Gravy Big Bill and Sonny Boy spark off each other to perform a bravura performance that really swings. DOCD-5056
Tracklist :
1        My Baby, I've Been Your Slave 3:02
Guitar, Speech [possibly] – "Jackson" Joe Williams
Mandolin, Speech [possibly] – Yank Rachell
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
2        Whiskey Headed Blues 2:54
Guitar – "Jackson" Joe Williams
Mandolin – Yank Rachell
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
3        Lord, Oh Lord Blues 2:59
Guitar – "Jackson" Joe Williams
Mandolin – Yank Rachell
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
4        You Give An Account 3:10
Guitar – "Jackson" Joe Williams
Mandolin – Yank Rachell
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
5        Shannon Street Blues 3:20
Guitar – "Jackson" Joe Williams
Mandolin – Yank Rachell
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
6        You've Been Foolin' 'Round Town 2:45
Guitar – "Jackson" Joe Williams
Mandolin – Yank Rachell
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
7        Deep Down In The Ground 3:14
Guitar – "Jackson" Joe Williams
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
8        Number Five Blues 3:27
Guitar [probably] – Robert Lee McCoy
Mandolin [probably] – Willie Hatcher
Piano – Speckled Red
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
9        Christmas Morning Blues 3:21
Guitar [probably] – Robert Lee McCoy
Mandolin [probably] – Willie Hatcher
Piano – Speckled Red
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
10        Susie-Q 3:10
Guitar [probably] – Robert Lee McCoy
Mandolin [probably] – Willie Hatcher
Piano – Speckled Red
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
11        Blue Bird Blues - Part 2 3:22
Guitar [probably] – Robert Lee McCoy
Mandolin [probably] – Willie Hatcher
Piano – Speckled Red
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
12        Little Girl Blues 3:17
Guitar [probably] – Robert Lee McCoy
Mandolin [probably] – Willie Hatcher
Piano – Speckled Red
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
13        Low Down Ways 3:10
Guitar [probably] – Robert Lee McCoy
Mandolin [probably] – Willie Hatcher
Piano – Speckled Red
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
14        Goodbye Red 3:10
Guitar [probably] – Robert Lee McCoy
Mandolin [probably] – Willie Hatcher
Piano – Speckled Red
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
15        The Right Kind Of Life 3:20
Guitar [probably] – Robert Lee McCoy
Mandolin [probably] – Willie Hatcher
Piano – Speckled Red
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
16        Insurance Man Blues 3:17
Guitar [probably] – Robert Lee McCoy
Mandolin [probably] – Willie Hatcher
Piano – Speckled Red
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
17        Rainy Day Blues 3:16
Guitar [probably] – Robert Lee McCoy
Mandolin [probably] – Willie Hatcher
Piano – Speckled Red
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
18        Bad Luck Blues 2:39
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
19        My Little Baby 2:56
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
20        Doggin' My Love Around 3:12
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
21        Little Low Woman Blues 2:45
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
22        Good For Nothing Blues 3:01
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
23        Sugar Mama Blues No. 2 3:07
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
24        Good Gravy 2:45
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson

SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 3 • 1939-1941 | DOCD-5057 (1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third volume in Document's impressive five-part series of Sonny Boy Williamson collections includes a raft of great sides recorded between July 1939 and April 1941. Beginning with Williamson's classic "T.B. Blues," Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 3 (1939-1941) cycles through two dozen great performances, including "Tell Me, Baby," "My Little Machine," and "Jivin' the Blues," with accompaniment from a trio of strong sidemen: Big Bill Broonzy, Walter Davis, and Blind John Davis. Casual listeners may not find this as immediately interesting as a career-spanning compilation like Sugar Mama, but there's plenty of interest for nearly any level of fan. Thom Owens

Abridged from this album’s original booklet notes. The opening eleven tracks on this Document Records Sonny Boy Williamson album represent the greater part of his only studio appearance in 1939. Sonny Boy was again accompanied by Big Bill Broonzy on guitar and Walter Davis on piano. The first track T.B. Blues is a sombre recording of Victoria Spivey’s influential 1929 song. In Good Gal Blues Sonny Boy complains about how much singing he has to do; “Lost my voice, didn’t do nothin’ but make a lot of noise” registering a mild disapproval at the length of the session but if so he was back on fine form with a report on the heavyweight boxing fight between Joe Louis and John Henry. Other themes explored are the prison inspired tracks New Jail House Blues and Life Time Blues. Big Bill Broonzy, again, proves his worth on the fast and jivey track Tell Me Baby a song much favoured by blues singers. The session ends with Honey Bee one of two separate songs with this title recorded by Sonny Boy. It was May 1940 before Sonny Boy returned to the recording studio. This time he was accompanied by pianist Josh Altheimer and the fairly basic drumming skills of Fred Williams. The session kicks off with one of Sonny Boy‘s greatest recordings Dealing With The Devil, (later covered by several musicians, most notably; British rhythm & Blues great, John Mayal), which includes a chillingly prophetic reference to an ice-pick, later to be the lethal instrument of his own demise. With the outbreak of war in Europe Sonny Boy recorded the track War Time Blues inspired by a news reel. Decoration Day No.2 reprises one of Sonny Boy‘s earlier hits and Welfare Store Blues, with its references to Roosevelt, pinch-back soldier coats and tripe, is an updating of the flood blues “Red Cross Store” associated with Walter Roland and Lead Belly. The session was rounded off with My Little Machine and Jivin’ The Blues. Big Bill Broonzy was back for the last session to appear on this album. Recorded in 1940, they are joined by Blind John Davis on piano and possibly William Mitchell playing an imitation string bass. Western Union Man has Sonny Boy waiting for a message from his wife Lacey Belle and humorously speculating on the reasons for its delay. Shotgun Blues has more than a touch of Big Joe Williams to it and the signature “Well, well” vocal effect of Peetie Wheatstraw on My Baby Made A Change. DOCD-5057
Tracklist :
1        T.B. Blues 2:57
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
2        Something Going On Wrong 3:07
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
3        Good Gal Blues 2:43
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
4        Joe Louis And John Henry Blues 2:54
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
5        Thinking My Blues Away 2:53
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
6        I'm Not Pleasing You 2:44
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
7        New Jail House Blues 2:48
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
8        Life Time Blues 2:42
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
9        Miss Ida Lee 2:55
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
10        Tell Me, Baby 2:49
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
11        Honey Bee Blues 2:49
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Walter Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
12        I Been Dealing With The Devil 2:47
Drums – Fred Williams
Piano – Joshua Altheimer
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
13        War Time Blues 2:55
Drums – Fred Williams
Piano – Joshua Altheimer
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
14        Train Fare Blues 2:47
Drums – Fred Williams
Piano – Joshua Altheimer
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
15        Decoration Day Blues, No. 2 2:49
Drums – Fred Williams
Piano – Joshua Altheimer
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
16        New Early In The Morning 2:39
Drums – Fred Williams
Piano – Joshua Altheimer
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
17        Welfare Store Blues 2:48
Drums – Fred Williams
Piano – Joshua Altheimer
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
18        My Little Machine 2:58
Drums – Fred Williams
Piano – Joshua Altheimer
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
19        Jivin' The Blues 2:51
Drums – Fred Williams
Piano – Joshua Altheimer
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
20        Western Union Man 3:00
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass [probably] – William Mitchell
21        Big Apple Blues 3:05
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass [probably] – William Mitchell
22        Springtime Blues 3:00
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass [probably] – William Mitchell
23        My Baby Made A Change 3:09
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass [probably] – William Mitchell
24        Shotgun Blues 2:56
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass [probably] – William Mitchell
25        Coal And Iceman Blues 3:02
Guitar – Big Bill Broonzy
Piano – Blind John Davis
Vocals, Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Washtub Bass [probably] – William Mitchell