Although he wasnt on the cutting edge when it came to amplifying his harmonica, john lee sonny boy williamson had no problem with bringing in an electric guitarist on his postwar rca victor sessions, keeping up. By the time of his death in 1965, he had been around long enough to have played with robert johnson at the start of his career and eric clapton, jimmy page and robbie robertson at the end of it. Music profile for sonny boy williamson, born 5 december 1899. Sonny boy williamson iis songs stream online music. Buy fully licensed online digital, transposable, printable sheet music. There are two harmonica playing bluesmen known as sonny boy williamson. There were two men who used the name sonny boy williamson, and both made a huge contribution to the blues. He played on hundreds of recordings by many preworld war ii blues artists. In todays everybodyknowseverything video age, its hard to think that such an idea would work, much less prosper. Recorded in 38 with yanck rachell and big joe williams. Sonny boy williamson was, in many ways, the ultimate blues legend. Blues legends memphis slim and sonny boy williamson live in. The mystery of the two sonny boy williamsons udiscover. Sonny boy williamson ii work with me lyrics genius.
Stream sonny boy williamson by various artists and tens of millions of other songs on all your devices with amazon music unlimited. Mix sonny boy williamson keep it to yourself youtube. Influenced by sonny boy williamson is harmonica playing, sonny boy williamson ii, the lead singer and harmonica player on this track, began performing under his name in the early 1940s in order to ride the waves of his success. The first and dare we say the better of the two artists to use the sonny boy williamson moniker, john lee williamson landed his first recording contract in 1937 at the age of 23 and over the next decade or so established himself as one of the leading blues artists. Blues legends memphis slim and sonny boy williamson. John lee sonny boy williamson all about blues music. Streaming and by permanent download to your computer andor device.
Not to be confused with aleck ford miller, who assumed many names including sonny boy williamson ii to promote the sponsor of his radio program in helena, arkansas. Subsequent research has shown that miller was born aleck. He played acoustically without a bullet mic and amplifier. Video documentation of the blues greats is shamefully unavailable. He was the best at cupping the hands to get a wahwah sound. A cynical act of mimicry by sonny boy williamson ii sparked a blues legend, the latest chapter of which has been tackled in song by randy newman. Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at. Whenever sonny boy williamson began to play, any generational or cultural barriers that might have existed quickly crumbled. Media in category sonny boy williamson ii the following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total. John lee sonny boy williamson 19141948 find a grave. This album is classic, with incredible songs and playing. Although he wasnt on the cutting edge when it came to amplifying his harmonica, john lee sonny boy williamson had no problem with bringing in an electric guitarist on his postwar rca victor sessions, keeping up with. Sonny boy williamson down and out blues releases discogs. Sonny boy williamson 1 elevator womanoriginally recorded in 1945 but shown here on a 1962 uk ephow good is this from the original.
Complete song listing of sonny boy williamson ii on sonny boy williamson ii songs list covid19. Digitized from a shellac record, at 78 revolutions per minute. Darling you know exactly what happened, last year just about this time yes you know exactly what happened, last year just about this time. But sonny boy williamson wouldnt live to reap any appreciable rewards from his inventions. The man we know as sonny boy williamson ii, or rice miller, was born somewhere in mississippi in 1899 or 1897, or 1910 although newer sources say 1912 and his real name was aleck or willie miller or possibly ford. After watching the overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at. John lee sonny boy williamson also known as sonny boy i, to distinguish him from alec rice miller, sonny boy williamson ii was born in 1914 and died in 1948. In accordance with the directives of government and health authorities, we have temporarily suspended operations. His harmonica spoke a language of our time, tortured, wailing, crying and strangely beautiful. John lee curtis sonny boy williamson march 30, 1914 june 1, 1948 was an american blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter. Tshirt still better than most of the stupid stuff on the radio is sonny boy williamson ii on youtube.
The recordings made by john lee williamson between 1937 and his death in 1948 and those made between 1951 and 1964 by rice miller were all originally issued under the name sonny boy williamson. Complete song listing of sonny boy williamson on sonny boy williamson songs list covid19. Tongue blocking study 2 this study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking. They are colloquially referred to as sonny boy williamson i and sonny boy williamson ii respectively, but are of no relation. Sonny boy williamson father of blues harmonica music. Listen free to sonny boy williamson sonny boy williamson vol.
This 1952 recording for mississippis trumpet records features his own songwriting and expert blues harp playing. He is often regarded as the pioneer of the blues harp as a solo instrument. Alex or aleck miller, known later in his career as sonny boy williamson, was an american blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter. A documentary film on the life of sonny boy williamson, a pioneer of blues harmonica playing. Sonny boy williamson good morning school girl youtube. Get youtube premium get youtube tv best of youtube music sports gaming movies tv shows news live. Williamson i played the harmonica acoustically and was essentially a prewar artist. Bring it on home chords by sonny boy williamson ii.
Sonny boy williamson ii aka alex rice miller set the stage for all harmonica players who followed him. Sonny boy williamson sonny boy williamson vol 1 amazon. Chemistry is an extremely useful knowledge but beware moonshine do harm to. Remastered collection all tracks remastered 2014 sonny boy williamson july 26, 2014. Sonny boy williamson music, videos, stats, and photos. Deception came easily to this man, so stories he told about his own past cannot be relied on. Famous compositions include help me, eyesight to the blind and dont start me talkin. It is believed that miller adopted the name to suggest to audiences and to his first record label that he was the original sonny boy. Features the mystery of the two sonny boy williamsons. Sonny boy williamson i biography, albums, streaming. Sonny boy williamson ii the harp from deep south full vinyl duration. One was an openhearted genial fellow who made the harp a fixture in chicago blues bands, and died very young. Sonny boy williamson all the best full album youtube.
Sonny boy williamson ii grave marker headstone blues. Yes work with me, baby, and ill work with you work with me, mama, and i will work with you. Down and out blues is the first lp record by american blues musician sonny boy williamson. By the time of his death in 1965, he had been around long enough to have played with robert johnson at the start of his career and eric clapton, jimmy page and robbie robertson at the. The final resting place of sonny boy williamson ii sonny boy williamson grave.