His Best | ||||
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Greatest hits album by | ||||
Released | May 20, 1997[1] | |||
Recorded | August 12, 1955 - April 30, 1964[1] | |||
Studio | Chess Studios Chicago, Illinois | |||
Genre | Harmonica blues, chicago blues, country blues | |||
Label | Chess, MCA | |||
Producer | Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, Willie Dixon, Andy McKaie[1] | |||
Compiler | Andy McKaie, Dick Shurman[1] | |||
Sonny Boy Williamson II chronology | ||||
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Sonny Boy Williamson - Glendora. Sonny Boy Williamson (c. 1912-1965), one of the premier artists in blues history, was born on a Glendora plantation under the name Alex Miller. A colorful character and charismatic performer, he was widely known as “Rice” Miller or 'Sonny Boy No. 2'—in deference to another bluesman who had recorded earlier.
His Best is a 1997 greatest hitscompilation album by Sonny Boy Williamson II (real name Rice Miller) released by Chess and MCA Records in May as a part of The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection which released many albums titled His Best for artist such as Bo Diddley, Little Walter, and others.
Songs[edit]
The album features all three of Williamson's singles that charted on Billboard'sR&B Singles chart; 'Don't Start Me Talking' (#3), 'Keep It to Yourself' (#14), and 'Help Me' (#24).[2] The album also features 'Bring It On Home' (later covered by Led Zeppelin) and 'One Way Out' (covered by Allman Brothers Band).
Track listing[edit]
All tracks written by Sonny Boy Williamson II, except where noted.
- 'Good Evening Everybody' – 2:36
- 'Don't Start Me Talking' – 2:36
- 'All My Love in Vain' – 2:51
- 'Keep It to Yourself' – 2:50
- 'Fattening Frogs for Snakes' – 2:23
- 'I Don't Know' – 2:28
- 'Cross My Heart' (Williamson, Greg Guidry) – 3:24
- 'Born Blind' – 2:35
- 'Ninety Nine' – 2:40
- 'Your Funeral and My Trial' – 2:33
- 'Keep Your Hands Out of My Pockets' – 2:51
- 'Sad to Be Alone' – 2:59
- 'Checkin' Up on My Baby' – 1:59
- 'Down Child' – 2:37
- 'Nine Below Zero' – 3:30
- 'Bye Bye Bird' (Williamson, Willie Dixon) – 2:35
- 'Help Me' (Williamson, Dixon, Ralph Bass) – 3:11
- 'Bring It On Home' (Dixon) – 2:39
- 'My Younger Days' – 3:24
- 'One Way Out' (Williamson, Elmore James) – 2:46
Personnel[edit]
All personnel per Allmusic[1]
- Performers
- Sonny Boy Williamson II – lead vocals, harmonica
- Buddy Guy – guitar
- Robert Lockwood, Jr. – guitar
- Matt 'Guitar' Murphy – guitar
- Eugene Pierson – guitar
- Jimmy Rogers – guitar
- Luther Tucker – guitar
- Muddy Waters – guitar
- Willie Dixon – double bass
- Jack Meyers – bass
- Milton Rector – bass
- Lafayette Leake – piano
- Otis Spann – piano
- Fred Below – drums
- Al Duncan – drums
- Clifton James – drums
- Jarrett Gibson – saxophone
- Donald Hankins – saxophone
- Production
- Leonard Chess – producer, engineer
- Phil Chess – producer, engineer
- Willie Dixon – producer, engineer
- Andy McKaie – producer, compiler
- Dick Shurman – liner notes, compiler
- Erick Labson – remastering
- Bill Inglot – remixing
- John Strother – remixing
- Artwork/Design
- Vartan – art director
- Geary Chansley – photo research
- Meire Murakami – design
- Val Wilmer – photography
- Galen Gart – photography
References[edit]
- ^ abcdeCub Koda. 'His Best [MCA] - Sonny Boy Williamson II | Songs, Reviews, Credits'. AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
- ^Cub Koda. 'Sonny Boy Williamson II | Biography & History'. AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
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