CD-Charts Position 1
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Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1935-1941)

by: Big Joe Williams

Release Date June 02, 1994
Equipped with the unwieldy handle of "Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order volume 1 (1935 - 1941) - Break 'Em On Down", this is the best collection of Big Joe Williams' early recordings.
Joe Williams' vocals are stronger and more focused than on his 60s "rediscovery" waxings, and while the original 1935 recordings of Williams' all-time classic songs "Baby Please Don't Go" and "Highway 49" are certainly interesting, the 1941 re-recordings, which feature John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson on harmonica, are simply the definitive recordings of those two songs by ANY artist.
John Lee Williamson plays harmonica on a total of ten songs, including a magnificent performance on the mid-tempo shuffle "North Wind Blues".

Big ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Folks, He Sure Do Pull Some Bow! Vintage Fiddle Music 1927-1935: Blues, Jazz, Stomps, Shuffles & Rags

by: Big Bill Broonzy, Charlie Pierce, Andrew Baxter, Clifford Hayes, Bubbling-Over Five, Memphis Jug Band, Mississippi Sheiks, Peg Leg Howell, Frank Stokes, Big Joe Williams, Agusto Abreu

Release Date March 27, 2001
Old Hat Records always goes the extra mile to present incredibly rare sides from vintage 78s. The sound quality is top-notch, and the generous booklet is packed with equally rare photography, highly-informative notes and thorough documentation.

There are lots of reissues of early recordings, but all the offerings from Old Hat are head and shoulders above the rest.

Sure, the pirates of the world can probably find this material in MP3 format, but despicable thievery aside, they're missing out on the complete package. The music combined with the ample booklet is the true prize. The true value is owning this release, holding it in your hand: listening, reading, viewing the rare photos.

Whether you're a hard-core collector ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Blues on Highway 49

by: Big Joe Williams

Release Date September 18, 1993
Another marvellous set of this fabulous musician,with his own creation,a nine-string guitar.Bob Koester is a visionary man and started well his Delmark Records,with the second album,Piney Woods Blues from Big Joe.This "Blues on Highway 49" is really an album that tell all the truth about the trips and migration of this fantastic unrecognized bluesman.His voice has a spectacular tune,so fast,melodical crying all about his hard life;Really a "tour-de-force"!!A gem,to the bluesfans,a masterpiece album!!!!

CD-Charts Position 4
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The Sonet Blues Story

by: Big Joe Williams

Release Date May 16, 2005
Another marvellous set of this fabulous musician,with his own creation,a nine-string guitar.Bob Koester is a visionary man and started well his Delmark Records,with the second album,Piney Woods Blues from Big Joe.This "Blues on Highway 49" is really an album that tell all the truth about the trips and migration of this fantastic unrecognized bluesman.His voice has a spectacular tune,so fast,melodical crying all about his hard life;Really a "tour-de-force"!!A gem,to the bluesfans,a masterpiece album!!!!

CD-Charts Position 5
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Takoma Blues { Various Artists }

from: Takoma

Release Date October 13, 1998
The recordings on this CD were made by Norman Dayton in the Chicago of the early 60's. These are live performances,no overdubbing,the music exactly as it was played. Many of the cuts were recorded during performances in small clubs around Chicago,others in makeshift studios set up in basements or apartments.The sound quality is surprisingly good, the recording venues actually contributing to the raw feel of the tracks. The music is, without exception, excellent. Highlights include Dr. Isiah Ross' "Chicago Breakdown" and "V-8 Ford Blues" by James Cotton, joined by Paul Butterfield on harp and Elvin Bishop on National Resonator guitar. This CD documents the blues scene of this time and place uncluttered by the production and commericalization brought ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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The Devil's Jukebox (Uncut) Rolling Stones

by: Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Buddy Holly, Big Joe Williams, Albert King, Bobby Womack, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Gene Allison, Various Artists

Release Date
The recordings on this CD were made by Norman Dayton in the Chicago of the early 60's. These are live performances,no overdubbing,the music exactly as it was played. Many of the cuts were recorded during performances in small clubs around Chicago,others in makeshift studios set up in basements or apartments.The sound quality is surprisingly good, the recording venues actually contributing to the raw feel of the tracks. The music is, without exception, excellent. Highlights include Dr. Isiah Ross' "Chicago Breakdown" and "V-8 Ford Blues" by James Cotton, joined by Paul Butterfield on harp and Elvin Bishop on National Resonator guitar. This CD documents the blues scene of this time and place uncluttered by the production and commericalization brought ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Delta Blues Masters

by: Bukka White, Big Joe Williams

Release Date December 20, 2005
The recordings on this CD were made by Norman Dayton in the Chicago of the early 60's. These are live performances,no overdubbing,the music exactly as it was played. Many of the cuts were recorded during performances in small clubs around Chicago,others in makeshift studios set up in basements or apartments.The sound quality is surprisingly good, the recording venues actually contributing to the raw feel of the tracks. The music is, without exception, excellent. Highlights include Dr. Isiah Ross' "Chicago Breakdown" and "V-8 Ford Blues" by James Cotton, joined by Paul Butterfield on harp and Elvin Bishop on National Resonator guitar. This CD documents the blues scene of this time and place uncluttered by the production and commericalization brought ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Classic Delta Blues

by: Big Joe Williams

Release Date November 05, 1991
Recorded 1964 in Chicago,Classic Delta Blues from the big man and his nine string guitar covers different Delta artist as in Charlie Patton,Robert Johnson,Sonhouse,in his own Joe Williams style,with blues classics such as Hellhound On My Trail,Pony Blues,Special Rider Blues and another Johnson composition,Crossroad Blues.Big Joe Williams the man from Mississippi plays it like nobody else with that distinctive nine string,(although this cd notes six string)with his powerful vocals,rolling down the line with one song after another,as you listen to a Charlie Patton tune as in,Bird's Nest Bound,you wish Patton's recordings sounded that good,most of Patton's recordings are distorted due to 78's as the only source.Overall this is a good Big Joe Williams recording,not great,just ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

25 Blues Masters Volume 1

Release Date
Recorded 1964 in Chicago,Classic Delta Blues from the big man and his nine string guitar covers different Delta artist as in Charlie Patton,Robert Johnson,Sonhouse,in his own Joe Williams style,with blues classics such as Hellhound On My Trail,Pony Blues,Special Rider Blues and another Johnson composition,Crossroad Blues.Big Joe Williams the man from Mississippi plays it like nobody else with that distinctive nine string,(although this cd notes six string)with his powerful vocals,rolling down the line with one song after another,as you listen to a Charlie Patton tune as in,Bird's Nest Bound,you wish Patton's recordings sounded that good,most of Patton's recordings are distorted due to 78's as the only source.Overall this is a good Big Joe Williams recording,not great,just ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Blues on Highway 49

by: Big Joe Williams

Release Date August 01, 2005
Another marvellous set of this fabulous musician,with his own creation,a nine-string guitar.Bob Koester is a visionary man and started well his Delmark Records,with the second album,Piney Woods Blues from Big Joe.This "Blues on Highway 49" is really an album that tell all the truth about the trips and migration of this fantastic unrecognized bluesman.His voice has a spectacular tune,so fast,melodical crying all about his hard life;Really a "tour-de-force"!!A gem,to the bluesfans,a masterpiece album!!!!