Sonny Boy Williamson (II) – The Real Folk Blues – Chess/MCA Records CHD-9272 

This re-release of an original 1966 Chess Records U.S. 12-song collection saw the light of day in 1987 (though the collection was a U.K.-only 1965 release versus the 1966 U.S. release).  What does it encompass?  Twelve cuts of creative blues genius, that’s what, a fully-realized blues essay by one of the fields’ true geniuses.  This release is a compilation of Chess label recordings covering the period between 1957-1964, and further, much of what is here was previously unissued. 

From cut one to cut 12, the blues here are unequaled in their creative brilliancy.  Williamson recorded large quantities of blues virtuosity across his celebrated career, but as a supreme document of his genius, this compilation highly quenches the blues thirst on every level, and may correctly be labeled as his finest.   

Ten of the 12 sides here are credited to Williamson, with the other two being attributed to Willie Dixon.  Williamson is at his best here with his cool, swaggering delivery, both vocally and on his harmonica, and many of the blues that have now come to be acknowledged as pillars of his life’s work are in attendance including “Bring It On Home,” “One Way Out,” “Checkin’ Up On My Baby,” “Too Young To Die,” and “Peach Tree.”

Williamson was surrounded by the crème de la crème of Chicago blues session men on these selections, including Buddy Guy, Robert Lockwood Jr., Eddie King, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, and Luther Tucker on guitar, with Otis Spann and Lafayette Leake providing piano and organ backing.  Further, Willie Dixon, Jack Myers, and Milton Rector were on-hand for bass duties, while Fred Below, Al Duncan, and Odie Payne, Jr. offered drumming support.

This is a release of extremely lofty blues benchmarks by one of the Chess label’s “Mount Rushmore Of The Blues” figureheads (the others being Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Little Walter.

Essential indeed!