Big Joe Williams and the Stars of Mississippi Blues

• Artist: Big Joe Williams
• Rating:
• Release Date: March 09, 2004
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Blues

Review

A five-disc box set from England's JSP Records, Big Joe Williams and the Stars of Mississippi Blues collects 126 tracks by Big Joe Williams and loosely related artists like Willie Lofton, Honeyboy Edwards, Robert Petway, and Tommy McClennan. Disc one opens with a half dozen tracks from Williams (including "49 Highway Blues") with Henry Townsend on second guitar that were recorded in Chicago in February 1935, followed by four sides (including Williams' signature song, "Baby Please Don't Go") recorded the following Halloween. The disc closes out with four songs from a session in Aurora, IL, in 1937, and nine tracks recorded in March and December of 1941. The second disc collects 17 songs Williams recorded in Chicago in 1945 and 1947, followed by two sides (including "Jivin' Woman") tracked in St. Louis in 1949, and six songs from a 1951 session in Jackson, MS. Disc three and the start of disc four feature the complete recorded output of Tommy McClennan, a gruff-voiced blues shouter best known for "Cross Cut Saw Blues" and "Whiskey Head Woman" and a penchant for interjections and spoken asides during his recordings. Disc four concludes with seven tracks from Robert Petway, including his influential version of "Catfish Blues." The final disc opens with six more Petway recordings, followed by a dozen Honeyboy Edwards field recordings made for Alan Lomax in 1942, and then concludes with the eight sides Willie "Poor Boy" Lofton recorded for Decca Records in 1934 and 1935 (including his "Dark Road Blues," a version of Tommy Johnson's "Big Road Blues"). What holds all of this together? Countless songs that are essentially variations of "Baby Please Don't Go" and "49 Highway Blues," showing the real and pervasive influence of Williams' rough and ragged approach to Mississippi blues. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Little Leg Woman	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(3:08)
Somebody's Been Borrowing That Stuff	Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(3:05)
Providence Help the Poor People	Big Joe Williams, Public Domain	Big Joe Williams	(3:06)
49 Highway Blues	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(3:08)
My Grey Pony	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(3:11)
Stepfather Blues	Big Joe Williams, Public Domain	Big Joe Williams	(3:08)
Baby Please Don't Go	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(3:25)
Stack of Dollars	Tiny Bradshaw	Big Joe Williams	(3:11)
Wild Cow Blues	Big Joe Williams, Public Domain	Big Joe Williams	(3:15)
Worried Man Blues	Public Domain	Big Joe Williams	(2:39)
I Know You Gonna Miss Me	Big Joe Williams, Public Domain	Big Joe Williams	(3:03)
Rootin' Ground Hog	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:57)
Brother James	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:53)
I Won't Be in Hard Luck No More	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:39)
Crawlin' King Snake	John Lee Hooker, Bernard Besman	Big Joe Williams	(2:50)
I'm Getting Wild About Her	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:48)
Peach Orchard Mama	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:42)
Meet Me Around the Corner	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:58)
Throw a Boogie Woogie	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:42)
North Wind Blues	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:54)
Please Don't Go	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:47)
Highway 49	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(3:13)
Someday Baby	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(3:10)
Break 'Em on Down	Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(3:13)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Drop Down Blues	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:57)
Somebody's Been Worryin'	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(3:12)
Wanita	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(3:23)
Vitamin A	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:48)
His Spirit Lives On	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:46)
Baby Please Don't Go	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:47)
Baby Please Don't Go [Alternate Take]	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:49)
Stack of Dollars	Tiny Bradshaw	Big Joe Williams	(2:49)
Mellow Apples	Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(2:48)
Wild Cow Moan	Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(2:54)
P Vine Blues	Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(3:11)
Bad and Weakhearted Blues	Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(2:43)
King Biscuit Stomp	Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(2:34)
I'm a Highway Man	Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(2:53)
Banta Rooster Blues	Big Joe Williams, Traditional	Big Joe Williams	(2:59)
Mean Stepfather Blues	Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(2:47)
House Lady Blues	Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(2:57)
Don't You Leave Me Here	Big Joe Williams, Swamp Dogg, Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Joe Williams	(2:53)
Jivin' Woman	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:48)
She's a Married Woman	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:41)
Mama Don't Allow Me	Public Domain	Big Joe Williams	(2:44)
Delta Blues	Public Domain	Big Joe Williams	(2:40)
Overhauling Blues	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:46)
Whistling Pines	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:34)
She Left Me a Mule	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:32)
Bad Heart Blues	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams	(2:45)

CD 3

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
You Can Mistreat Me Here	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:45)
New "Shake 'Em on Down"		Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:10)
Bottle It Up and Go	Tommy McClennan, Traditional	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:49)
Whiskey Head Woman	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:00)
Brown Skin Girl	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:45)
Cotton Patch Blues	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:47)
Baby Don't You Want to Go	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:58)
Baby, Please Don't Tell on Me	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:44)
I'm Going Don't You Know	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:44)
New Highway 51	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:51)
She's Just Good Huggin' Size	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:59)
My Little Girl	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:51)
My Baby's Gone	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:45)
It's Hard to Be Lonesome	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:38)
My Baby's Doggin' Me	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:40)
She's a Good Looking Mama	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:52)
Whiskey Head Man	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:50)
New Sugar Mama	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:58)
Down to Skin and Bones Blues	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:42)
Katy Mae Blues	Hudson Whittaker	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:46)
Love With a Feeling	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:00)
Drop Down Mama	Sleepy John Estes	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:52)
Black Minnie	Traditional	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:56)
Elsie Blues	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:59)
Des'e My Blues	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:16)

CD 4

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Cross Cut Saw Blues [Take 1]	Tommy McClennan, Tony Hollins	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:44)
Cross Cut Saw Blues [Take 2]	Tommy McClennan, Tony Hollins	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:47)
Classy Mae Blues	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:48)
You Can't Read My Mind	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:01)
Travelin' Highway Man	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:01)
Deep Blue Sea Blues	Alger "Texas" Alexander	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:01)
I'm a Guitar King	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:49)
It's a Crying Pity	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:52)
Mozelle Blues	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:57)
Blues Trip Me This Morning	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:03)
Mr. So and So Blues	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:46)
Roll Me, Baby	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:03)
I Love My Baby	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:07)
Shake It Up and Go	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:56)
Blue as I Can Be	Tommy McClennan	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:45)
Bluebird Blues	Sonny Boy Williamson	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:59)
Bluebird Blues [Take 2]	Sonny Boy Williamson	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(2:55)
Boogie Woogie Woman	Robert Petway	Tommy McClennan, Big Joe Williams	(3:00)
Catfish Blues	Robert Petway	Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(2:55)
Ride 'Em on Down	Robert Petway	Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(2:58)
Rockin' Chair Blues	Robert Petway	Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(3:03)
My Little Girl	Tommy McClennan	Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(3:11)
Let Me Be Your Boss	Robert Petway	Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(3:13)
Left My Baby Crying		Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(3:09)
Sleepy Woman Blues	Robert Petway	Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(2:46)

CD 5

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Don't Go Down Baby		Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(3:03)
Bertha Lee Blues	Robert Petway	Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(2:53)
Hollow Log Blues		Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(3:05)
In the Evening	Robert Petway	Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(2:53)
My Baby Left Me		Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(3:16)
Cotton Pickin' Blues		Big Joe Williams, Robert Petway	(3:14)
Roamin' and Ramblin' Blues	Arthur Phelps	Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(3:01)
You Got to Roll (Levee Camp Song)		Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(0:58)
You Got to Roll	Robert Smith	Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(2:32)
Water Coast Blues	Walter Davis	Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(5:54)
Stagolee	Traditional	Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(1:06)
Just a Spoonful	Traditional	Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(1:46)
Spread My Raincoat Down	David Honeyboy Edwards	Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(2:40)
Hellatakin' Blues	David Honeyboy Edwards, Traditional	Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(0:50)
Wind Howlin' Blues	David Honeyboy Edwards	Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(3:15)
Worried Life Blues	Sleepy John Estes, Hammie Nixon	Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(2:55)
Tear It Down Rag		Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(1:09)
The Army Blues	David Honeyboy Edwards	Big Joe Williams, David Honeyboy Edwards	(3:51)
It's Killin' Me		Big Joe Williams, Willie Lofton	(2:54)
Poor Boy Blues		Big Joe Williams, Willie Lofton	(2:43)
Jake Leg Blues	Willie Lofton	Big Joe Williams, Willie Lofton	(3:05)
My Mean Baby Blues		Big Joe Williams, Willie Lofton	(2:56)
Dirty Mistreater	Willie Lofton	Big Joe Williams, Willie Lofton	(2:50)
Rainy Day Blues		Big Joe Williams, Willie Lofton	(3:00)
Beer Garden Blues		Big Joe Williams, Willie Lofton	(3:00)
Dark Road Blues	Big Joe Williams	Big Joe Williams, Willie Lofton	(3:04)

Credits

Tommy McClennan (Guitar), Tommy McClennan (Vocals), Henry Townsend (Guitar), Big Joe Williams (Guitar), Big Joe Williams (Vocals), Singleton Palmer (Bass), Chasey Collins (Washboard), Clifford Dinwaddie (Washboard), David Honeyboy Edwards (Guitar), David Honeyboy Edwards (Harmonica), David Honeyboy Edwards (Vocals), Alfred Elkins (Bass), T.J. Green (Bass), Jump Jackson (Drums), Ransom Knowling (Bass), Willie Lofton (Guitar), Willie Lofton (Vocals), Robert Lee McCoy (Guitar), Judge Riley (Drums), Neil Slaven (Liner Notes), Black Bob (Piano), William Mitchell (Bass), Robert Petway (Guitar), Robert Petway (Vocals)