Sonny Boy Williamson I • Shake That Boogie CD
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Shake That Boogie brings together 27 essential recordings by Sonny Boy Williamson I, the original Sonny Boy and one of the true pioneers of Blues harmonica. Born John Lee Williamson, he helped establish the harmonica as a lead instrument in Chicago Blues, developing a highly distinctive style that would influence generations of Blues harp players. His importance to the music is enormous, with Williamson widely regarded as the "father of modern Blues harp".
Recorded during the late 1930s and 1940s, these performances capture Williamson at the height of his influence, with the collection bringing together some of his best-known and most enduring songs. Good Morning, School Girl, Sugar Mama Blues, Early In The Morning, Stop Breaking Down and Shake The Boogie are all included, alongside a wealth of equally compelling recordings such as My Little Machine, Shotgun Blues, HooDoo HooDoo, Mellow Chick Swing and Bring Another Half Pint. Shake The Boogie itself was Williamson's biggest commercial hit.
The distinction between the two Sonny Boy Williamsons is important here. John Lee Williamson became known as Sonny Boy Williamson I, or The Original Sonny Boy, after Aleck "Rice" Miller began using the Sonny Boy Williamson name in the early 1940s. This collection is devoted entirely to Williamson I and provides a superb introduction to the pioneering Blues harmonica style that made him such an important figure in the development of Chicago Blues and Rhythm & Blues.
For anyone interested in Blues, early Rhythm & Blues, harmonica-led music and the roots of Rock 'n' Roll, Shake That Boogie is an excellent addition to the collection. With 27 tracks covering many of Williamson's most important recordings, this is a substantial portrait of one of the musicians who helped establish the sound and vocabulary of modern Blues harmonica.
