Little Sonny - The Best Love I Ever Had

Size: 110.5 MB
Time: 47:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. The Best Love I Ever Had (6:12)
02. The End Of Your Rope (5:13)
03. I'll Never Trust You Again (6:13)
04. The Ghetto (4:00)
05. When Love Begins Friendship Ends (5:58)
06. Jam (3:56)
07. Love Mechanic (3:14)
08. Harmonica Funk Blues (5:42)
09. Watching The Peoples (3:28)
10. Outer Funk (3:25)

If the confusion caused by John Lee Williamson and Rice Miller both using the name ‘Sonny Boy’ wasn’t enough, there were at least FIVE guys using the tag ‘Little Sonny’. Little Sonny Warner was a Gospel-Blues singer from Virginia who had a hit in 1959 with ‘Something On Your Mind’; Little Sonny Jones was a New Orleans singer who often opened shows and made records with his childhood friend Fats Domino; Little Sonny Wimberley sang ‘Funky Broadway’ in 1968, and Little Sonny Parker sang ‘Love is Got Me Down’ in 1970, both for the Spivey Records label. However, the most successful ‘Little Sonny’ was a harp player from Alabama who was a big noise in Detroit a while ago, and is still around today.

Aaron Willis was born in Greensville AL in 1932 and was always called ‘Little Sonny’ by his mother. He moved to Detroit when he was 20, hoping to make it as a baseball player, but when he saw Rice ‘Sonny Boy II’ Miller playing harp, his priorities changed. Sonny started getting gigs blowing a harp around the Detroit clubs, where he played with John Lee Hooker, Washboard Willie and Eddie ‘Guitar’ Burns among others, and when ‘Sonny Boy II’ was in town, the kid always tried to pick up some new tricks to play. He also made money selling photographs of Bluesmen he had snapped on stage, as well as selling used cars. He made his first record for the Duke label in 1958, backed by Eddie Burns and after his second effort ‘Love Shock’ was leased to Excello, the business-savvy Sonny got hold of a tape deck and launched his own Speedway Records, leasing his products to bigger labels. He scored several regional hits in the 60s, but lack of promotion meant he never broke through on a National level.

In 1970, Sonny signed for Enterprise Records, a subsidiary of Stax, and released his first album, the proudly titled ‘New King of the Blues Harmonica’, which was almost all instrumentals. Sonny’s next albums revealed his fine soulful voice on ‘Black and Blue’ in 1972 and ‘Hard Goin’ Up’ the following year, which featured his son Aaron Jr. on guitar. As part of the Stax organisation, Sonny played at the WattStax Festival in LA, and appeared briefly in the subsequent movie, but when Stax went down, Sonny returned to the more low-profile life of a working Blues-club player. He was picked up some twenty years later by the British Sequel label, who issued an album of Sonny’s own material in 1995 called ‘Sonny Side Up’. It sold well enough to earn a follow-up, ‘Blues with a Feeling’ the following year where he also revisited some of his 60s songs, and a live album was recorded on tour in Japan for P-Vine. The same label released Sonny’s album ‘The Best Love I Ever Had’ in 2003. Since then the years have caught up on Sonny a little, but he has played the occasional club or Festival date around Detroit, often in the company of Eddie Burns who sadly passed away in December 2012, so it is still possible that we might hear more from Little Sonny.

The Best Love I Ever Had MP3
The Best Love I Ever Had FLAC

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Little Sonny - Hard Goin' Up

Year: 1973/1997
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:02
Size: 94,9 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues, soul-blues
Scans: Full

1. It's Hard Going Up (But Twice As Hard Coming Down) (3:56)
2. My Woman Is Good To Me (6:12)
3. You're Spreading Yourself A Little Too Thin (2:57)
4. The Day You Left Me (4:32)
5. You Can Be Replaced (3:26)
6. Do It Right Now (2:45)
7. You Made Me Strong (8:09)
8. Sure Is Good (5:33)
9. I Want You (3:29)

Because he hasn't promoted himself aggressively enough, Little Sonny isn't nearly as well known in either blues or R&B circles as he should be. But make no mistake, Sonny is a first-class electric bluesman who's also a pearl of a soul singer. And he excels in both areas on Hard Goin' Up, which Fantasy reissued on CD in the U.S. in 1997.

"You Made Me Strong," "It's Hard Going Up (But Twice as Hard Coming Down)" and "You Can Be Replaced" illustrate his mastery of the 12-bar form, while "You're Spreading Yourself a Little Too Thin" and "Do It Right Now" are invigorating examples of the type of horn-driven, sock-it-to-'em soul music Sonny embraced with such conviction.

The punchy "My Woman Is Good to Me" was a minor hit, and Hard made it to #42 on Billboard's R&B albums chart. It's possible that had it not been for the problems Stax was having with CBS at the time, the album would have enjoyed a lot more exposure. At any rate, Hard Goin' Up is one of Sonny's finest accomplishments. /Alex Henderson, AllMusic

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Little Sonny - New King Of The Blues Harmonica

Year: 1970/1995
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:16
Size: 90,7 MB
Styles: Chicago blues, harmonica blues
Scans: Full

1. Baby, What You Want Me To Do (3:58)
2. Eli's Pork Chop (6:43)
3. Hey Little Girl (2:41)
4. Hot Potato (3:14)
5. Don't Ask Me No Questions (4:03)
6. Tomorrow's Blues Today (2:48)
7. Back Down Yonder (2:46)
8. Sad Funk (3:07)
9. The Creeper Returns (4:17)
10. Going Down Slow (Bonus) (5:35)

New King of Blues Harmonica, the first album recorded by Little Sonny, finds the harpist living up to his name, turning out a hard-driving collection of Chicago blues. At times, he's a little too hung up on sounding like Sonny Boy Williamson, but for the most part, this is thoroughly enjoyable, high-octane Chicago blues. However, the presence of an organ on most of the record may be a little distracting for purists. /Thom Owens, AllMusic

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Little Sonny - Black & Blue

Year: 1971/1972/1992
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:53
Size: 87,6 MB
Styles: Harmonica blues, soul-blues
Scans: Full

1. Hung Up (3:39)
2. Sonny's Fever (Instrumental) (3:15)
3. You Got A Good Thing (3:15)
4. A Women Named Trouble (4:30)
5. Honest I Do (3:05)
6. Wade In The Water (Instrumental) (3:20)
7. Paying Through The Nose (3:44)
8. Memphis B-K (Instrumental) (3:38)
9. Where Women Got Meat On Their Bones (3:35)
10. I Found Love (2:52)
11. They Want Money (2:56)

Little Sonny (real name Aaron Willis) is an Alabama born blues harmonica player not surprisingly often confused with Sonny Boy Williamson (the Chess Records harmonica player) because of his chosen instrument and his nickname. Little Sonny is less well known than his more famous mentor from Tennessee, but nonetheless produced some great records that deserve your attention - especially if you like your blues with a funky feel.

Just approaching his forties, Willis started a trio of albums for Stax and its subsidiary label Enterprise in the early seventies. "New King Of Blues Harmonica" came first in 1970 with "Hard Goin' Up" being number three in 1973 (it charted Stateside). "Black & Blue" is the one in the middle - released in 1972 on Enterprise ENS 1018 in the USA - and then remastered and reissued onto this now rare US-only CD in 1992. /Amazon

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VA - The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2: 1968-1971

Size: 1,57 GB
Time: 11:07:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1993
Styles: Blues, Soul, R&B, Rock
Label: Stax Records
Art: Front, Back & CD

CD 1:
01 Shirley Walton - I Was Born To Love You (2:59)
02 Isaac Hayes - Precious, Precious (2:43)
03 Shirley Walton - Send Peace And Harmony Home (2:46)
04 Booker T. & The MG's - Soul Limbo (2:23)
05 Eddie Floyd - I've Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do) (2:45)
06 Delaney & Bonnie - It's Been A Long Time Coming (2:18)
07 Linda Lyndell - What A Man (2:42)
08 Jimmy Hughes - I Like Everything About You (2:51)
09 Johnny Daye - Stay Baby Stay (2:49)
10 Judy Clay & William Bell - Private Number (2:41)
11 The Mad Lads - So Nice (2:39)
12 The Staple Singers - Long Walk To D.C. (2:31)
13 The Soul Children - Give 'em Love (2:49)
14 Rufus Thomas - Funky Mississippi (2:57)
15 The Charmels - Lovin' Feeling (2:54)
16 Carla Thomas - Where Do I Go (2:23)
17 Judy Clay - Bed Of Roses (2:44)
18 Eddie Floyd - Bring It On Home To Me (2:32)
19 Jeanne & The Darlings - It's Unbelievable (How You Control My Soul) (2:15)
20 Johnnie Taylor - Who's Making Love (2:49)
21 Dino & Doc - Mighty Cold Winter (2:39)
22 Booker T. & The MG's - Hang 'em High (3:52)
23 Ollie & The Nightingales - You're Leaving Me (2:51)
24 The Bar-Kays - Copy Kat (2:23)
25 William Bell - I Forgot To Be Your Lover (2:21)
26 Mable John - Running Out (2:09)
27 Judy Clay & William Bell - My Baby Specializes (2:38)
28 The Soul Children - I'll Understand (2:42)

CD 2:
01 The Staple Singers - The Ghetto (3:45)
02 Albert King - Blues Power (3:12)
03 The Epsilons - The Echo (2:40)
04 Rufus Thomas - Funky Way (2:57)
05 Johnnie Taylor - Take Care Of Your Homework (2:38)
06 Carla Thomas - I Like What You're Doing (To Me) (2:56)
07 Eddie Floyd - I've Got To Have Your Love (2:48)
08 Jimmy Hughes - Let 'em Down Baby (2:40)
09 The Mad Lads - Love Is Here Today And Gone Tomorrow (2:46)
10 Judy Clay - It Ain't Long Enough (3:22)
11 Ollie & The Nightingales - Mellow Way You Treat Your Man (2:25)
12 Sonny Stitt - Private Number (2:57)
13 Booker T. & The MG's - Time Is Tight (3:17)
14 The Mar-Keys - Double Or Nothing (2:52)
15 The Staple Singers - (Sittin' On The) Dock Of The Bay (2:57)
16 The Emotions - So I Can Love You (2:50)
17 The Bar-Kays - Don't Stop Dancing (To The Music) (Part 1) (2:50)
18 Margie Joseph - One More Chance (2:25)
19 Jimmy Dotson - I Wanna Be Good (To You) (2:59)
20 Art Jerry Miller - Finger Lickin' Good (2:39)
21 The Soul Children - Tighten Up My Thang (3:04)
22 William Bell - My Whole World Is Falling Down (3:09)
23 Johnnie Taylor - Testify (I Wanna) (4:03)
24 Albert King - Drowning On Dry Land (3:56)
25 The Stingers - Do The Cissy (2:49)
26 Eddie Floyd - Don't Tell Your Mama (Where You've Been) (3:02)

CD 3:
01 Booker T. & The MG's - Mrs. Robinson (3:40)
02 William Bell & Mavis Staples - Love's Sweet Sensation (3:04)
03 Darrell Banks - Just Because Your Love Is Gone (3:36)
04 Jimmy Hughes - Chains Of Love (3:00)
05 William Bell - Happy (2:34)
06 The Staple Singers - The Challenge (3:11)
07 Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Pervis Staples, Carla Thomas, Mavis Staples, Cleotha Staples - Soul-A-Lujah (2:29)
08 Eddie Floyd & Mavis Staples - Never, Never Let You Go (2:28)
09 Johnnie Taylor & Carla Thomas - Just Keep On Loving Me (2:39)
10 William Bell & Carla Thomas - I Need You Woman (2:41)
11 Ollie & The Nightingales - I've Got A Feeling (2:51)
12 Jeanne & The Darlings - It's Time To Pay For The Fun (We've Had) (2:35)
13 Johnnie Taylor - I Could Never Be President (2:17)
14 The Mad Lads - By The Time I Get To Phoenix (2:48)
15 Colette Kelly - Long And Lonely World (2:58)
16 The Bar-Kays - Midnight Cowboy (2:49)
17 Carla Thomas - I've Fallen In Love (With You) (2:44)
18 Booker T. & The MG's - Slum Baby (2:40)
19 The Emotions - The Best Part Of A Love Affair (3:30)
20 Isaac Hayes - By The Time I Get To Phoenix (6:57)
21 Isaac Hayes - Walk On By (4:34)
22 Pop Staples, Albert King, Steve Cropper - Tupelo (Part 1) (2:56)
23 Pop Staples, Albert King, Steve Cropper - Water (3:08)
24 The Soul Children - The Sweeter He Is (Part 1) (2:58)
25 Mavis Staples - You're Driving Me (To The Arms Of A Stranger) (3:21)

CD 4:
02 Eddie Floyd - Why Is The Wine Sweeter (On The Other Side) (2:43)
03 The Staple Singers - When Will We Be Paid (2:34)
04 John Lee Hooker - Grinder Man (3:56)
05 William Bell - Born Under A Bad Sign (3:13)
06 Margie Joseph - What You Gonna Do (3:01)
07 Jimmy Hughes - I'm So Glad (2:54)
08 Darrell Banks - Beautiful Feelings (2:46)
09 The Dramatics - Your Love Was Strange (3:02)
10 Johnnie Taylor - Love Bones (3:21)
11 Delaney & Bonnie - Hard To Say Goodbye (2:30)
12 J.J. Barnes - Got To Get Rid Of You (3:26)
13 Reggie Milner - Habit Forming Love (2:13)
14 The T.S.U. Toronadoes - My Thing Is A Moving Thing (2:45)
15 The Emotions - Stealing Love (3:11)
16 The Emotions - When Tomorrow Comes (3:02)
17 Albert King - Wrapped Up In Love Again (2:23)
18 Rufus Thomas - Do The Funky Chicken (3:17)
19 Eddie Floyd - California Girl (3:38)
20 Bernie Hayes - Tribute To A Black Woman (Part 1) (2:20)
21 The Bar-Kays - Sang And Dance (2:59)
22 The Soul Children - Hold On, I'm Comin' (3:28)
23 Chuck Brooks - Love's Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down (Part 1) (3:17)
24 Ernie Hines - Help Me Put Out The Flames (In My Heart) (3:13)
25 Roebuck 'Pops' Staples - Black Boy (3:22)

CD 5:
01 Ollie & The Nightingales - Bracing Myself For The Fall (2:54)
02 William Bell & Carla Thomas - All I Have To Do Is Dream (3:20)
03 Jeanne & The Darlings - Singing About Love (2:23)
04 Chris & Shack - Goodies (2:42)
05 Barbara Lewis - Just The Way You Are Today (3:33)
06 Little Sony - The Creeper Returns (4:15)
07 Carla Thomas - Guide Me Well (3:54)
08 The Staple Singers - Give A Damn (3:09)
09 Johnnie Taylor - Steal Away (3:29)
10 Margie Joseph - Your Sweet Lovin' (3:40)
11 Jones Blumenberg - I Forgot To Remember (3:44)
12 David Porter - Can't See You When I Want To (4:29)
13 Carla Thomas - Never Be True (4:20)
14 Albert King - Can't You See What You're Doing To Me (3:40)
15 Rufus Thomas - Sixty Minute Man (Part 2) (3:31)
16 Rufus Thomas - The Preacher And The Bear (3:52)
17 Booker T. & The Mg's - Something (3:34)
18 The Mad Lads - Seeing Is Believin' (4:12)
19 Roz Ryan - You're My Temptation (2:38)
20 Paul Thompson - What I Don't Know Won't Hurt Me (2:58)
21 Branding Iron - Right, Tight And Out Of Sight (3:02)
22 John Casandra - (What's Under) The Natural Do (3:00)

CD 6:
01 Eddie Floyd - My Girl (3:22)
02 Mavis Staples - I Have Learned To Do Without You (4:07)
03 The T.S.U. Toronadoes - Play The Music Toronadoes (2:33)
04 William Bell - Lonely Soldier (3:56)
05 The Emotions - Heart Association (3:04)
06 Isaac Hayes - I Stand Accused (4:06)
07 The Staple Singers - Brand New Day (3:45)
08 Margie Joseph - Sweeter Tomorrow (3:13)
09 Bernie Hayes - Cool Strut (2:54)
10 The Newcomers - You Put The Sunshine In My World (3:01)
11 The Bar-Kays - Montego Bay (2:34)
12 Rudy Robinson & The Hungry Five - Got It Together (Parts 1 & 2) (5:29)
13 Little Sonny - Wade In The Water (3:17)
14 The Nightingales - You're Movin' Much Too Fast (2:52)
15 Eddie Floyd - Best Years Of My Life (3:06)
16 Johnnie Taylor - I Am Somebody (Part 2) (3:25)
17 Carla Thomas - I Loved You Like I Love My Very Life (2:50)
18 Reggie Milner - Soul Machine (2:26)
19 The Temprees - (Follow Her) Rules And Regulations (2:52)
20 Rufus Thomas - (Do The) Push And Pull (Part 1) (3:19)
21 Charlene & The Soul Serenaders - Love Changes (3:53)
22 The Soul Children - Put Your World In My World (Best Of Two Worlds) (2:56)
23 The Staple Singers - Love Is Plentiful (2:30)

CD 7:
01. The Staple Singers - Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom) (3:07)
02. The Staple Singers - Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas (2:32)
03. Shack - Too Many Lovers (2:44)
04. The Emotions - Black Christmas (2:46)
05. Isaac Hayes - The Mistletoe And Me (3:58)
06. Barbara Lewis - Ask The Lonely (3:12)
07. Johnnie Taylor - Jody's Got Your Girl And Gone (3:02)
08. The Soul Children - Finish Me Off (3:39)
09. Eddie Floyd - Oh, How It Rained (3:10)
10. Isaac Hayes - The Look Of Love (3:19)
11. Ernie Hines - Electrfied Love (3:07)
12. Booker T. & The MG's - Melting Pot (3:53)
13. Barbara Lewis - That's The Way I Like It (I Like It That Way) (3:05)
14. Jean Knight - Mr. Big Stuff (2:34)
15. The Emotions - You Make Me Want To Love You (3:16)
16. Margie Joseph - Stop! In The Name Of Love (4:54)
17. Johnnie Taylor - I Don't Wanna Lose You (4:00)
18. The Temprees - (Girl) I Love You (3:14)
19. Rufus Thomas - The World Is Round (3:18)
20. William Bell - A Penny For Your Thoughts (3:07)
21. Isaac Hayes - Never Can Say Goodbye (3:38)
22. The Nightingales - I Don't Want To Be Like My Daddy (3:20)

CD 8:
01 Staple Singers - You've Got To Earn It (3:30)
02 Limitations - Hold On To It (2:34)
03 Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (3:35)
04 Branding Iron - Born Too Late (2:32)
05 Jimmy Hughes - Just Ain't Strong As I Used To Be (You Done Fed Me Sumpin') (3:04)
06 Margie Joseph - That Other Woman Got My Man And Gone (3:29)
07 Emotions - If You Think It (You May As Well Do It) (3:03)
08 Calvin Scott - Shame On The Family Name (2:48)
09 Eddie Floyd - Blood Is Thicker Than Water (2:43)
10 Johnnie Taylor - Hijackin' Love (3:20)
11 Melvin Van Peebles - Sweetback's Theme (3:24)
12 Rufus Thomas - The Breakdown (Part 1) (3:15)
13 Newcomers - Pin The Tail On The Donkey (2:58)
14 Lee Sain - Them Hot Pants (3:06)
15 Little Milton - If That Ain't A Reason (For Your Woman To Leave You) (3:24)
16 Shack - It's Good To Be Careful (But It's Better To Be Loved) (2:51)
17 Ilana - Where Would You Be Today (3:16)
18 Albert King - Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven (3:46)
19 Soul Children - Got To Get Away From It All (3:24)
20 United Image - Love's Creeping Up On Me (2:26)
21 Emotions - Show Me How (3:06)
22 David Porter - If I Give It Up I Want It Back (2:26)
23 Little Sonny - A Woman Named Trouble (4:22)

CD 9:
01 Eddie Giles - Losing Boy (3:05)
02 The Staple Singers - Respect Yourself (3:32)
03 Hot Sauce - I'll Kill A Brick (About My Man) (2:45)
04 Jean Knight - You Think You're Hot Stuff (2:29)
05 William Bell - All For The Love Of A Woman (3:12)
06 Isaac Hayes - Theme From 'shaft' (3:17)
07 The MG's - Jamaica, This Morning (3:07)
08 The Mad Lads - Gone! The Promises Of Yesterday (3:39)
09 Major Lance - Girl, Come On Home (2:41)
10 Joni Wilson - (Let Hurt Put You In The) Loser's Seat (3:17)
11 The Temprees - My Baby Love (2:53)
12 The Leaders - How Do You Move A Mountain (2:22)
13 Black Nasty - Black Nasty Boogie (Part 6) (2:40)
14 Rufus Thomas - Do The Funky Penguin (Part 1) (3:07)
15 Carla Thomas - You've Got A Cushion To Fall On (3:42)
16 The Dramatics - Get Up And Get Down (3:10)
17 The Bar-Kays - Son Of Shaft (3:12)
18 L.V. Johnson - Don't Cha Mess With My Money, My Honey, Or My Woman (3:38)
19 Eric Mercury - I Can Smell That Funky Music (3:01)
20 Calvin Scott - A Sadness For Things (3:18)
21 Little Milton - That's What Love Will Make You Do (3:56)
22 Johnnie Taylor - Standing In For Jody (3:47)

The first Stax-Volt box was a monolith, standing as the definitive document of the labels and, therefore, gritty Southern soul. Its sequel, The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2: 1968-1971 is considerably more problematic. Covering only four years compared to its predecessor, which showcased nine years, Vol. 2 contains 216 tracks, including all of the A- and B-sides released during that era. Most critics consider these four years to be substantially less interesting than Stax's earlier years, and in a sense, they're right. There's no Otis Redding or Sam & Dave, and the music doesn't have the same innovative, kinetic spark of the early years. There's still a lot of great, great music here, but it's difficult to sort it out among these nine discs. About three or four discs' worth of material is truly essential, and it might have been better to boil this era down to a smaller box set, since that would have made for a necessary purchase. As it stands, it's too sprawling and comprehensive to be an essential purchase for anyone other than soul fetishists and hardcore collectors, but those listeners should find much of this fascinating. ~by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2 CD 1
The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2 CD 2
The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2 CD 3
The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2 CD 4
The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2 CD 5
The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2 CD 6
The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2 CD 7
The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2 CD 8
The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 2 CD 9

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Little Sonny - Blues With A Feeling: Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival 1972

Size: 144,0 MB
Time: 61:44
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1994
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Full

01. The Creeper Returns (2:08)
02. They Want Money (6:39)
03. A Woman Named Trouble (8:25)
04. Goin' Down Slow (6:51)
05. Hot Potatoes (7:32)
06. Honest I Do (5:25)
07. Blues With A Feeling (3:55)
08. Sad Funk (9:42)
09. Comments By John Sinclair (3:11)
10. Comments By Little Sonny (7:52)

Personnel:
Aaron 'Little Sonny' Willis: Harmonica, Vocals
Roderick Chandler: Bass (Electric)
Aaron G. Willis Jr.: Guitar
Curtis Sharp: Drums
Sam Witcher: Guitar (Rhythm)

The Stax empire wasn't exactly renowned for its legion of blues harpists, but Little Sonny found the Memphis firm quite an agreeable home during the early '70s (he even appeared in the label's grandiose concert film, Wattstax, albeit very briefly).

Little Sonny, whose birth name is Aaron Willis, is a product of Detroit's blues scene. He moved to the Motor City in 1953 after growing up on his dad's farm in Alabama (his mom gave him his nickname). When Little Sonny wasn't working local haunts with John Lee Hooker, Eddie Burns, Eddie Kirkland, Baby Boy Warren, or Washboard Willie (who gave him his first paying gig), he was snapping photos of the patrons for half a buck a snap.

Sonny Boy Williamson rambled through town in 1955 and gave Willis some valuable pointers. In 1958, Sonny made his blues recording debut, cutting for both Duke ("I Gotta Find My Baby") and local entrepreneur Joe Von Battle, who leased Little Sonny's "Love Shock" to Nashville's Excello imprint.

The harpist acquired a two-track tape machine and took matters into his own hands during the early '60s, helming his tiny Speedway label. He leased "The Creeper" and "Latin Soul" to Detroit's Revilot Records (his labelmates included Darrell Banks and George Clinton's Parliament) in 1966. That set the stage for his joining Stax's Enterprise label in 1970; his first album was the largely instrumental New King of Blues Harmonica -- a rather brash boast for a relative unknown.

Two more Enterprise sets that more effectively featured Little Sonny's vocal talents soon followed: Black & Blue and 1973's Hard Goin' Up, the latter distinguished by the Bettye Crutcher-penned "It's Hard Goin' Up (But Twice as Hard Coming Down)" and a variety of other soul-inflected tracks. Not much was heard from the harpist until the British Sequel imprint released Sonny Side Up in 1995. His backing crew included keyboardist Rudy Robinson and guitarist Aaron Willis, Jr., (his son) both of whom graced Hard Goin' Up more than two decades before. ~by Bill Dahl

Blues With A Feeling

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VA - Blues Hangover: The Excello Blues Rarities

Size: 133,2+147,8 MB
Time: 56:53+63:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: Blues
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Jimmy Anderson - I'm A King Bee (2:59)
02. Jimmy Anderson - Going Through The Park (2:25)
03. Jimmy Anderson - Naggin' (2:19)
04. Jimmy Anderson - Nothing In This World (2:36)
05. Jimmy Anderson - Frankie And Johnny (3:16)
06. Jimmy Anderson - Love Me Babe (2:55)
07. Jimmy Anderson - Goin' Crazy Over Tv (2:32)
08. Jimmy Anderson - Ain't Gonna Let Her Go (2:25)
09. Jimmy Anderson - Rats And Roaches On Your Mind (2:20)
10. Jimmy Anderson - Going Through The Park (2:24)
11. Blue Charlie - Don't Bring No Friend (3:02)
12. Blue Charlie - I'm Gonna Kill That Hen (2:47)
13. Whispering Smith - Harmonica Twist (2:07)
14. Whispering Smith - Please Give Me One More Chance (2:58)
15. Whispering Smith - Wake Up Old Maid (2:09)
16. Lightnin' Slim - Death Valley Blues (2:59)
17. Little Sonny - Love Shock (1:56)
18. Little Sonny - I'll Love You Baby (2:05)
19. Little Al - No Jive (3:13)
20. Little Al - Little Lean Woman (2:04)
21. Ole Sonny Boy - You Better Change (2:20)
22. Ole Sonny Boy - Blues And Misery (2:49)

CD 2:
01. Early Drane - I'm Leaving This Morning (2:48)
02. Early Drane - I Hate To See You Leave (3:10)
03. Early Drane - My New Chevrolet (2:35)
04. Early Drane - Evil Ways Blues (2:36)
05. Early Drane - Find My Little Darlin' (2:06)
06. Early Drane - Look On Yonder's Wall (2:15)
07. Early Drane - Nobody Prayin' (2:34)
08. Early Drane - Were You There When They Crucified My Lord¿ (2:52)
09. Early Drane - My Little Banty (4:03)
10. Early Drane - Take A Little Walk With Me (3:57)
11. Early Drane - Hillbilly Serenade (2:33)
12. Early Drane - I'm Gonna Scratch Your Back, Pt. 1 (3:45)
13. Early Drane - Honey Bee Lonely (3:20)
14. Early Drane - I'm Gonna Scratch Your Back, Pt. 2 (3:44)
15. Early Drane - Late In The Evening (4:04)
16. Early Drane - Not Welcome Anymore (2:50)
17. Early Drane - Bring My Machine Gun (2:47)
18. Early Drane - Chuck-A-Luck (3:13)
19. Early Drane - Hello Stranger (2:43)
20. Early Drane - When I Met You Baby (3:02)
21. Early Drane - She's Got Me (2:16)

This two disc, 43 track collection collects up a treasure trove of rare and unissued performances from the vaults of Excello Records. All but one of the 17 tracks collected on the first disc were produced by Jay Miller in his Crowley, Louisiana studio, home of Excello's unmistakable 'swamp blues' sound. The first 10 tracks are by Jimmy Anderson, who impersonates the vocal and harmonica style of Jimmy Reed so pervasively, it's downright eerie. Three tracks from Whispering Smith, a stray Lightnin' Slim cut and both sides of the mysterious Blue Charlie single are aboard, as well as rare singles from the equally mysterious Ole Sonny Boy, Little Al (Gunter) and Little Sonny. But the true find here are the first time release of 15 tracks from a 1966 audition tape by one Early Drane. For all intents and purposes, this appears to be the same 'Earl Draines' that recorded for the label as part of The Blues Rockers ("Calling All Cows") in the mid 50s. But these remarkable tapes are the man alone in his living room, singing and playing a quirky collection of original material, blues and gospel covers that careen from brilliant to downright loony. Add to this lineup four tracks by Detroit bluesman Baby Boy Warren (featuring Sonny Boy Williamson on harmonica) and two early 60s stereo swingers by the little known James Stewart and you've got an Excello rarities packages that's pretty hard to beat. ~Review by Rovi Staff

Thanks to Marc.
Blues Hangover CD 1
Blues Hangover CD 2

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Little Sonny - Sonny Side Up / Blastin' The Blues

Album: Sonny Side Up
Size: 106,8 MB
Time: 45:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1995
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. Sonny Side Up (5:44)
02. Positive Mind (4:35)
03. I Got To Find My Baby (4:32)
04. Let Me Love You (6:08)
05. Ready Set Go (4:54)
06. The Best Of The Best (5:49)
07. I'm With You All The Way (4:20)
08. Tough Times Never Last (4:56)
09. The Next Dance With You (4:44)

The Stax empire wasn't exactly renowned for its legion of blues harpists, but Little Sonny found the Memphis firm quite an agreeable home during the early '70s (he even appeared in the label's grandiose concert film, Wattstax, albeit very briefly).

Little Sonny, whose birth name is Aaron Willis, is a product of Detroit's blues scene. He moved to the Motor City in 1953 after growing up on his dad's farm in Alabama (his mom gave him his nickname). When Little Sonny wasn't working local haunts with John Lee Hooker, Eddie Burns, Eddie Kirkland, Baby Boy Warren, or Washboard Willie (who gave him his first paying gig), he was snapping photos of the patrons for half a buck a snap.

Sonny Boy Williamson rambled through town in 1955 and gave Willis some valuable pointers. In 1958, Sonny made his blues recording debut, cutting for both Duke ("I Gotta Find My Baby") and local entrepreneur Joe Von Battle, who leased Little Sonny's "Love Shock" to Nashville's Excello imprint.

The harpist acquired a two-track tape machine and took matters into his own hands during the early '60s, helming his tiny Speedway label. He leased "The Creeper" and "Latin Soul" to Detroit's Revilot Records (his labelmates included Darrell Banks and George Clinton's Parliament) in 1966. That set the stage for his joining Stax's Enterprise label in 1970; his first album was the largely instrumental New King of Blues Harmonica -- a rather brash boast for a relative unknown.

Two more Enterprise sets that more effectively featured Little Sonny's vocal talents soon followed: Black & Blue and 1973's Hard Goin' Up, the latter distinguished by the Bettye Crutcher-penned "It's Hard Goin' Up (But Twice as Hard Coming Down)" and a variety of other soul-inflected tracks. Not much was heard from the harpist until the British Sequel imprint released Sonny Side Up in 1995. His backing crew included keyboardist Rudy Robinson and guitarist Aaron Willis, Jr., (his son) both of whom graced Hard Goin' Up more than two decades before.

Sonny Side Up

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Album: Blastin' The Blues: Live At Parker Tower Blues Festival
Size: 167,9 MB
Time: 72:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997
Styles: Modern Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. Sonny Side Up (5:30)
02. It's Hard Going Up (6:45)
03. The Creeper Returns (4:55)
04. Honest I Do (6:02)
05. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay (6:45)
06. Let Me Love You (6:37)
07. Memphis B-K (5:50)
08. I'm A Man - Mannish Boy (8:19)
09. Thank Yopu (Arigato) (6:52)
10. Goin' Down Slow - Stormy Monday (9:20)
11. A Woman Named Trouble (5:13)

Blastin' The Blues: Live At Parker Tower Blues Festival

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