Sonny Boy Williamson – The Real Folk Blues – Chess Records

Recommended Recordings

As one of our Recommended Recordings we are recommending The Real Folk Blues by Sonny Boy Williamson.

This is a collection of 12 Chess Records recordings made in Chicago between 1957 and 1963. The album was released by Chess Records as LP-1503 in January 1966, six months after Sonny Boy Williamson died in Helena, Arkansas.

The Real Folk Blues by Sonny Boy Williamson, album cover

Amazon.com | Limited Edition CD | Vinyl LP (Japanese pressing) |
Amazon.ca | CD version | Vinyl LP |

This material on this album is also available on another Chess Records release: The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues.

The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues

This album contains all 12 recordings on The Real Folk Blues along with an additional 12 Chess Records recordings of Sonny Boy Williamson.

Although the material on The Real Folk Blues is first rate, we suggest our readers consider buying The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues instead.

We think it is worth the extra money to get the additional 12 tracks.

The Real Folk Blues contained some very influential recordings. Here are some samples:

Checking Up On My Baby – recorded in Chicago, April 1960. Writing credit: Sonny Boy Williamson. Musicians: Sonny Boy Williamson (vocals, harmonica), Otis Spann (piano), Robert Lockwood Jr. (guitar), Luther Tucker (guitar), Willie Dixon (electric bass), Fred Below (drums).

Too Young To Die – likely recorded in Chicago in 1960. Writing credit: Sonny Boy Williamson Musicians: Sonny Boy Williamson (vocals, harmonica), Otis Spann (piano), Robert Lockwood Jr. (guitar), Willie Dixon (bass, vocal), Odie Payne (drums).

One Way Out – recorded in Chicago in 1961. Writing credit: Sonny Boy Williamson, Elmore James, Marshall Sharn. Musicians: Sonny Boy Williamson (vocals, harmonica), Lafayette Leake (piano), Robert Lockwood Jr. (guitar), Luther Tucker (bass guitar), Willie Dixon (bass), Fred Below (drums).

Bring It On Home – recorded in Chicago. 11 January 1963. Writing credit: Willie Dixon. Musicians: Sonny Boy Williamson (vocals, harmonica), Lafayette Leake (organ), Matt “Guitar” Murphy (guitar), Milton Rector (electric bass), Al Duncan (drums).