His Best [MCA] (CD - 1997)

Personnel: Sonny Boy Williamson (vocals, harmonica); Eugene Pierson, Jimmy Rogers , Luther Tucker, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Muddy Waters, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Buddy Guy (guitar); Jarrett Gibson, Donald Hankins (saxophone); Lafayette Leake, Otis Spann (piano); Clifton James, Fred Below, Al Duncan (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Erick Labson.

Audio Remixers: John Strother; Bill Inglot.

Liner Note Author: Dick Shurman.

Recording information: Chicago, IL (08/12/1955-04/30/1964).

Photographers: Valerie Wilmer; Galen Gart.

The definitive HIS BEST collects some of Sonny Boy Williamson's finest work from his tenure at Chess Records, a period widely conceded to be his most artistically fruitful. He's backed by a who's who of Chicago blues musicians, in particular the astonishingly metallic sounding two guitar team of Robert Lockwood and Luther Tucker, bassist/songwriter Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters' great pianist Otis Spann, and future Blues Brother Matt "Guitar" Murphy.

Highlights are almost too numerous to mention, but don't miss "Fattening Frogs for Snakes," which features one of Williamson's most metaphorically interesting lyrics. The great harp workout "Bye Bye Bird" has here been thoughtfully remixed for stereo. minimize