Recorded between 1937 and 1942.
Personnel: Sonny Boy Williamson (vocals, harmonica); Big Joe Williams (guitar, alto saxophone); Big Bill Broonzy (guitar); Yank Rachell (mandolin); Henry Townsend, Robert Lee McCoy (alto saxophone); Joshua Altheimer, Walter Davis, Blind John Davis (piano); Fred Williams (drums); Washboard Sam (washboard).
Liner Note Author: Les Fancourt.
Recording information: Aurora, IL (05/05/1937-07/30/1942); Chicago, IL (05/05/1937-07/30/1942).
Illustrator: Chris Myers.
Unknown Contributor Roles: William Mitchell; Alfred Elkins.
Arrangers: Sonny Boy Williamson; Brown; Roland; Big Bill Broonzy.
An excellent best of featuring the influential blues pioneer's best work between 1937 and 1942 (this is the Sonny Boy Williamson who was murdered in 1948, not the one who toured England with the Yardbirds in 1963). Everything here is exceptional, including the often-covered country blues standards that begin the album, notably "Good Morning School Girl."
However, the most ear-opening stuff is from a 1940 session on which a drummer and the brilliant boogie-woogie pianist Joshua Altheimer back Williamson. Here, the beat is everything (see "I Been Dealing With the Devil" or "Jivin' the Blues"), and Williamson is clearly laying the groundwork for both the Chicago blues and rock & roll to come. minimize