Sonny Boy Williamson (II-Rice Miller) – Goin’ In Your Direction – Alligator Records ALCD 2803 

This 1994 15-cut re-release of an original 1991 12-cut Trumpet Records collection includes bonus selections with Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup and Bobo “Slim” Thomas, with Willie Love assisting on piano.  The additional selections only heighten the blues brilliance found here.

Recorded during the 1951-1954 period for the famed Trumpet Records label, the Jackson, Mississippi imprint owned by the legendary Lillian McMurry (she who discovered blues great Elmore James), this is high blues art of the early Williamson catalog.

Williamson was coming into his own vocally with these initial sides, increasing his might and ability to work a phrase.  Not only that, Williamson was also finding his very definition of the blues, and honing his harmonica and overall musical judgment that later propelled him to great success with Chicago’s powerful Chess label.

It’s unsettling in all the correct manners what Williamson was able to musically realize.  That combination!  How did he achieve the baffling deed of uniting his vocals and harmonica skill sets?  How did he build them to effectively become one and the same voice, if you will? 

On this outstanding CD we hear Williamson turning in harmonica phrases and techniques that steered him into legendary eminence.  Fabulous meandering nuances, contrasting on-target phrases, and driving longer interludes succulently frame his harmonica proficiencies. 

Those dynamics make Williamson’s blues and performances musical art of the uppermost standing.

This is an essential blues assemblage that belongs in every serious collection.

Song Titles

• Goin’ In Your Direction
• From The Bottom
• No Nights By Myself
• Boppin’ With Sonny
• Empty Bedroom
• Red Hot Kisses
• Getting’ Out Of Town
• Cat Hop
• She Brought Life Back To The Dead
• I’m Not Beggin’ Nobody
• She’s Crazy
• Sonny’s Rhythm #2
• Make A Little Love With Me (with Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup)
• Gonna Find My Baby (with Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup)
• Catfish Blues (with Bobo “Slim” Thomas)