Topic: Sonny Boy Williamson

[dj]

The irony is DJ that one of the occasional contributors to the paper was Mike Leadbitter who at that point was the research authority on "Rice".

It seems like whenever I read blues scolarship from 40 or 50 years ago, I'm either amazed at how much was known back then or I'm amazed at how little was known back then.   

Bunker Hill, do you have a date for that clipping?

[Bunker Hill]

Bunker Hill, do you have a date for that clipping?

Just about visible my scrawl in top right corner says "Sounds" March '72.

[mmpresti]

There are also a number of blues and jazz musicians who record under the name Joe Williams, among them Big Joe and "Jackson" Joe Williams.

[Chezztone]

Also there was a Memphis Ma Rainey, much younger than the original Ma Rainey, who was still playing in Memphis (and sometimes touring) with the remaining old-time blues and jug players, into the early '80s. She also was known as Lillie Mae Glover, or Ma Rainey #2. But often just went by "Ma Rainey." So when you meet people who tell you they knew Ma Rainey or used to hear her in Memphis, that's probably the woman they are talking about. Not the original Ma, who died in 1939.

[Bunker Hill]

Also there was a Memphis Ma Rainey, much younger than the original Ma Rainey, who was still playing in Memphis (and sometimes touring) with the remaining old-time blues and jug players, into the early '80s. She also was known as Lillie Mae Glover, or Ma Rainey #2. But often just went by "Ma Rainey." So when you meet people who tell you they knew Ma Rainey or used to hear her in Memphis, that's probably the woman they are talking about. Not the original Ma, who died in 1939.

There is a chapter devoted to her based upon a 1973 interview in McKee & Chisenhall's book "Beale, Black & Blue: Life and Music on Black America?s Main Street" (Louisiana State UP, 1981, p. 142-153)

[eddie]

One strange side issuse of the two Sunny Boys is that Sonny Boy 1 and Big Joe Williams recorded Sunny Boy 2's theme - King Biscuit Stomp, in 1947.
That must of been confusiong !

On two musicians using the same name - there were two Howling Wolfs.
And in England a Howling Wilf, but I think that was a Joke !

[uncle bud]

Also there was a Memphis Ma Rainey, much younger than the original Ma Rainey, who was still playing in Memphis (and sometimes touring) with the remaining old-time blues and jug players, into the early '80s. She also was known as Lillie Mae Glover, or Ma Rainey #2. But often just went by "Ma Rainey." So when you meet people who tell you they knew Ma Rainey or used to hear her in Memphis, that's probably the woman they are talking about. Not the original Ma, who died in 1939.

Interesting. On that History Detectives episode awhile back where they were snorkeling for Paramounts in Grafton, WI, there was a daughter of a Paramount staffer who recalled sitting on Ma Rainey's lap at the studios. Only thing is, as far as I can tell, Ma never recorded in Grafton.

[Rivers]

Only thing is, as far as I can tell, Ma never recorded in Grafton.

Dix, God & Rye confirm this, Chicago and NYC, no Grafton.

[mississippijohnhurt1928]

Well there's Chuck Willis and Chuck Willis, but I'm sure that was an accident. 

[Bunker Hill]

Well there's Chuck Willis and Chuck Willis, but I'm sure that was an accident. 

Should one of those Willis be CHICK the guitarist who just happend to be born in Atlanta too, six years after Chuck, and managed to appear on the recording scene in 1956 the very year that Chuck had his first R&B hit with "It's Too Late"?

[mississippijohnhurt1928]

Well there's Chuck Willis and Chuck Willis, but I'm sure that was an accident. 

Should one of those Willis be CHICK the guitarist who just happend to be born in Atlanta too, six years after Chuck, and managed to appear on the recording scene in 1956 the very year that Chuck had his first R&B hit with "It's Too Late"?

Nope, there are indeed TWO rhythm and blues musicians named Chuck Willis

[mississippijohnhurt1928]

Chuck Willis #1
http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Jump-Tonight-Chuck-Willis/dp/B00000293C/ref=sr_1_6/002-3196637-3854424?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1185377221&sr=1-6

Chuck Willis #2
http://www.amazon.com/Remember-Chuck-Willis-King-Stroll/dp/B00005QD4O/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3196637-3854424?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1185377221&sr=1-1

[mississippijohnhurt1928]

Chuck Willis #1
http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Jump-Tonight-Chuck-Willis/dp/B00000293C/ref=sr_1_6/002-3196637-3854424?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1185377221&sr=1-6

Chuck Willis #2
http://www.amazon.com/Remember-Chuck-Willis-King-Stroll/dp/B00005QD4O/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3196637-3854424?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1185377221&sr=1-1

Actually those two are the same people, but there's a modern guitarist named Chuck Willis, too.

[mississippijohnhurt1928]

Actually, I think I'm going crazy, disregard everything I posted previous to this on this thread.

[Bunker Hill]

Speaking of Sonny Boy Williamson, as we haven't in this topic for five years, this link appeared in an email sent to me

http://ourblues.wordpress.com/category/authors/chris-smith/