Down and Out Blues

~ Release by Sonny Boy Williamson (see all versions of this release, 3 available)

Annotation

The original classic album plus his '50s singles digitally remastered on 2CDs.

CD1 - Tracks 1-12: Original Album Recorded 1955-1959
CD1 - Tracks 13-16: Checker Records "7 Singles Released 1955-1959
CD2 - Original "7 Singles Released on Trumpet Records 1951-1955

Annotation last modified on 2022-03-04 00:58 UTC.

Tracklist

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1▼CD: Down and Out Blues
#TitleRatingLength
1All My Love in Vain
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1955-08-12)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (on 1955-08-12)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (on 1955-08-12)
guitar:
Muddy Waters (blues musician) (on 1955-08-12) and Jimmy Rogers (blues artist) (on 1955-08-12)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1955-08-12)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1955-08-12)
2:51
2The Key (to Your Door)
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1955-08-12 until 1958-03-27)
3:17
3Keep It to Yourself
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1956-08-07)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (on 1956-08-07)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (on 1956-08-07)
guitar:
Robert Lockwood (on 1956-08-07) and Luther Tucker (on 1956-08-07)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1956-08-07)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1956-08-07)
recording of:
Keep It to Yourself
writer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Tristan Music Ltd.
52:52
4Dissatisfied
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1955-08-12 until 1958-03-27)
producer:
Marshall Chess
editor:
Ron Malo
bass:
Willie Dixon
guitar:
Robert Lockwood, Jr. and Luther Tucker
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
membranophone:
Fred Below
piano:
Otis Spann
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Dissatisfied (in 1957-09)
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:46
5Fattening Frogs and Snakes
2:22
6Wake Up Baby
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1955-08-12 until 1958-03-27)
guitar:
Eugene Pearson (blues guitarist)
piano:
Lafayette Leake
2:59
7Your Funeral and My Trial
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1958-03)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (on 1958-03-27)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (on 1958-03-27)
guitar:
Eugene Pierson (blues guitarist) and Robert Lockwood (on 1958-03-27)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1958-03-27)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1958-03-27)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1958-03-27)
recording of:
Your Funeral & My Trial (on 1958-03-27)
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
sub-publisher:
BMG Rights Management (France) (not for release label use! file releases under its imprint BMG (2008–present))
2:32
899
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (from 1955-08-12 until 1958-03-27)
2:39
9Cross My Heart
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1957-09)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (in 1957-09)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (in 1957-09)
guitar:
Robert Lockwood (in 1957-09) and Luther Tucker (in 1957-09)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (in 1957-09)
piano:
Otis Spann (in 1957-09)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (in 1957-09)
3:23
10Let Me Explain
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1956-01-24)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (on 1956-01-24)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (on 1956-01-24)
guitar:
Robert Lockwood (on 1956-01-24) and Luther Tucker (on 1956-01-24)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1956-01-24)
piano:
Otis Spann (on 1956-01-24)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1956-01-24)
2:55
11Don’t Start Me Talkin’
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1955-08-12)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (on 1955-08-12)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (on 1955-08-12)
guitar:
Muddy Waters (blues musician) (on 1955-08-12) and Jimmy Rogers (blues artist) (on 1955-08-12)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1955-08-12)
piano:
Otis Spann (on 1955-08-12)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1955-08-12)
part of:
Blues Hall of Fame: Classic of Blues Recording Single (number: 1996)
recording of:
Don’t Start Me Talkin’ (on 1955-08-12)
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
52:36
12I Don’t Know
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1957-02-08)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (on 1957-02-08)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (on 1957-02-08)
guitar:
Robert Lockwood (on 1957-02-08) and Luther Tucker (on 1957-02-08)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1957-02-08)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1957-02-08)
2:27
13Your Imagination
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1956-01-24)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (on 1956-01-24)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (on 1956-01-24)
guitar:
Robert Lockwood (on 1956-01-24) and Luther Tucker (on 1956-01-24)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1956-01-24)
piano:
Otis Spann (on 1956-01-24)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1956-01-24)
3:00
14Born Blind
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1957-09)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (in 1957-09)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (in 1957-09)
guitar:
Robert Lockwood (in 1957-09) and Luther Tucker (in 1957-09)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (in 1957-09)
piano:
Otis Spann (in 1957-09)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (in 1957-09)
recording of:
Born Blind (in 1957-09)
writer:
Rice Miller (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:33
15Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1959)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (in 1959)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Odie Payne (American Chicago blues drummer) (in 1959)
guitar:
Robert Lockwood (in 1959) and Luther Tucker (in 1959)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (in 1959)
piano:
Otis Spann (in 1959)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (in 1959)
2:20
16Unseeing Eye
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1959)
double bass [bass]:
Willie Dixon (in 1959)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Odie Payne (American Chicago blues drummer) (in 1959)
guitar:
Robert Lockwood (in 1959) and Luther Tucker (in 1959)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (in 1959)
piano:
Otis Spann (in 1959)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (in 1959)
3:00
2▼CD: The Trumpet Singles
#TitleRatingLength
1Crazy ’Bout You, Baby
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-03-12)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
double bass:
Henry Reed (US blues bassist)
drums (drum set):
Joe Dyson (US blues drummer and bandleader)
guitar:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Crazy About You Baby
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
3:04
2Eyesight to the Blind
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-03-12)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford (on 1951-03-12)
producer:
Lillian McMurry
double bass:
Henry Reed (US blues bassist) (on 1951-03-12)
drums (drum set):
Joe Dyson (US blues drummer and bandleader) (on 1951-03-12)
guitar:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1951-03-12)
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist) (on 1951-03-12)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965) (on 1951-03-12)
recording of:
Eyesight to the Blind (on 1951-03-12)
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
publisher:
Algonquin Music Inc., Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and Screen Gems–EMI Music, Inc. (USA, affiliated with BMI)
3:03
3Cool, Cool Blues
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-08-05)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
double bass:
Leonard Ware (US blues bassist)
drums (drum set):
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
guitar:
Elmore James and Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Cool, Cool Blues
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:45
4Do It If You Wanta
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-08-05)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
double bass:
Leonard Ware (US blues bassist)
drums (drum set):
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
guitar:
Elmore James and Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Do It If You Wanna
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:31
5Come On Back Home
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-08-05)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
double bass:
Leonard Ware (US blues bassist)
drums (drum set):
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
guitar:
Elmore James and Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Come On Back Home
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:47
6Stop Crying
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-08-05)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
double bass:
Leonard Ware (US blues bassist)
drums (drum set):
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
guitar:
Elmore James and Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Stop Crying
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:56
7I Cross My Heart
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-08-05)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
double bass:
Leonard Ware (US blues bassist)
drums (drum set):
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
guitar:
Elmore James and Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
I Cross My Heart
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:45
8West Memphis Blues
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-08-05)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
double bass:
Leonard Ware (US blues bassist)
drums (drum set):
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
guitar:
Elmore James and Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
West Memphis Blues
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:51
9Pontiac Blues
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-08-05)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
double bass:
Leonard Ware (US blues bassist)
drums (drum set):
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
guitar:
Elmore James and Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Pontiac Blues
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:43
10Sonny Boys’ Christmas Blues
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-08-05)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
double bass:
Leonard Ware (US blues bassist)
drums (drum set):
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
guitar:
Elmore James and Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Sonny Boy's Christmas Blues
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:38
11Mighty Long Time
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-12-04)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
harmonica and lead vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
bass vocals:
Cliff Givens
recording of:
Mighty Long Time
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:59
12Nine Below Zero
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-12-04)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
guitar:
Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
percussion [broom] and bass vocals:
Cliff Givens
piano:
Willie Love (American Delta blues pianist)
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
part of:
Blues Hall of Fame: Classic of Blues Recording Single (number: 1991)
recording of:
Nine Below Zero
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher)
2:52
13Mr. Down Child
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-12-04)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
guitar:
Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
percussion [broom] and bass vocals:
Cliff Givens
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Mr. Downchild
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:31
14Stop Now Baby
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-12-04)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
guitar:
Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
percussion [broom] and bass vocals:
Cliff Givens
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Stop Now Baby
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:43
15Cat Hop
2:56
16Too Close Together
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-12-04)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
guitar:
Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
percussion [broom] and bass vocals:
Cliff Givens
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
Too Close Together
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:36
17Gettin’ Out of Town
2:22
18She Brought Life Back to the Dead
recorded in:
Jackson, Mississippi, United States (on 1951-12-04)
recording engineer:
Bill Holford
producer:
Lillian McMurry
guitar:
Joe Willie Wilkins
harmonica:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
percussion [broom] and bass vocals:
Cliff Givens
vocals:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
recording of:
She Brought Life Back to the Dead
lyricist and composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Aleck “Sonny Boy Williamson” Miller, 1912–1965)
2:31
19Going in Your Direction
2:35
20Red Hot Kisses
2:37
21Empty Bedroom
2:39
22From the Bottom
2:39