Down and Out Blues

• Artist: Sonny Boy Williamson II
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1959
• Total Time: 34:02
• Genre: Blues

Review

Retaining photographer Don Bronstein's cover shot of a disheveled bum lying on the sidewalk (some former Chess artist, perhaps?) Sonny Boy Williamson's original 1959 album made it to digital reissue but has now been supplanted by MCA's exhaustive The Essential Sonny Boy Williamson. Still, for a budget price, there are a dozen unforgettable tracks: "Don't Start Me to Talkin'," and his Checker debut; "All My Love in Vain," "Wake Up Baby," "99," "Cross My Heart," "Let Me Explain," and "The Key (To Your Door)." ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Don't Start Me to Talkin'	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:33)
I Don't Know	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:24)
All My Love in Vain	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:48)
The Key (To Your Door)	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(3:14)
Keep It to Yourself	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:48)
Dissatisfied	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:42)
Fattening Frogs for Snakes	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:19)
Wake Up Baby	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:56)
Your Funeral and My Trial	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:29)
99	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:36)
Cross My Broken Heart	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(3:20)
Let Me Explain	Sonny Boy Williamson	Sonny Boy Williamson	(3:53)

Credits

Willie Dixon (Bass), Robert Lockwood, Jr. (Guitar), Fred Below (Drums), Rice Miller (Harmonica), Rice Miller (Vocals), McKinley Morganfield (Guitar), Muddy Waters (Guitar), Jimmy Rogers (Guitar), Otis Spann (Piano), Luther Tucker (Guitar), Sonny Boy Williamson (Vocals), Sonny Boy Williamson (Main Performer), Studs Terkel (?), Don Kamerer (Liner Notes)