SONNY TERRY & HIS MOUTH HARP
Fantasy Original Blues Classics (Riverside)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Sonny Terry is probably best known as one-half of the Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee blues duo, but this Riverside re-release captures one of Sonny's rare 1953 recordings without McGhee. This time, Alec Seward, who'd recorded under the name of Guitar Slim, joins him on guitar. Sonny's harp plays off of Alec's great picking on "Move to Kansas City" and the great blues story song, "The Fox (AKA Hound Dog Holler)." This Riverside disc captures country harp at its best. While his "Old Woman Blues" won't win any female fans of the over 35 set, it's a humorous take on older bluesmen and younger women, particularly when Sonny talks us through what happens when the music starts at his favorite blues club. Whether Sonny's growling though "Talkin' About the Blues" or singing "Baby, Baby," this reissue captures a giant of country blues at his best.

Track List:

In The Evening * Move to Kansas City * John Henry * The Fox * Louise * Red River * Goodbye Leadbelly * Custard Pie * I Woke Up This Morning and Could Hardly See * Old Woman Blues * Talking About the Blues * Changed The Lock on My Door * Moaning and Mouring * Baby, Baby

© 2000 - Eric Steiner