Customer Reviews

Sonny & Brownie

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the very first blues records I found in my dad's record collection when I was about 14. Yes it's not straight delta blues and yes it has some white guys playing/singing on it. This was Sonny and Brownie's introduction to white american blues fans in the early 70's and it worked. This record is a classic and totally worth the price of admission for the very last track of them telling road stories. Also their version of People Get Ready and Sail Away are near perfect.

When I Met Brownie McGhee shortly before he passed away, he told me this was his favorite record he ever made. He thought this was the one he would be remembered for - so do yourself a favor and buy this amazing album.

the best blues i've ever heard. a simple combo of the harp (sonny), the guitar (brownie) and various other instruments like the violin and the piano. this is great blues.

Sonny and Brown are authentic legends and I share the amazement of a previous reviewer that they were not more highly regarded as such by the world at large. This was the first album of S&B that I heard when I was around 12 and I switched onto it immediately, it is warm, rich, and pure good vibe blues. As well as the pairs Guitar and harp, it features bass and drums. I love their version of 'sail away', it might seem a strange cover at first if you listen to Newmans version, but they just do it so well. 'People Get Ready' and 'Bring Out The Boogie In Me' are standouts.
After I heard it as a kid I went out and found another Sonny and Brown album, the double 'California Blues' which I also loved, especially when they sang harmonies, man, that defined the blues for me, so raw and beautiful and real. These guys were the real thing and I think they need to be ranked as highly as John Lee Hooker and Robert Johnson. One day I believe they will be. Recommended with full conviction.

I bought this album when I was in High School back in the '70s, after I'd purchased quite a few of Sonny and Brownie's older Folkways LPs. While I was genuinely surprised by the sudden turn from acoustic delta blues to what is essentially electric soul, for what it is, it's not horrible. However, Curtis Mayfield, Randy Newman, Sam Cooke and Michael Franks are hardly the kind of writers you would imagine S&B doing, but they do them here. Best tracks: "Sonny's Thing," where Sonny's at his whoopin' and tootin' best, and their take on "People Get Ready," which is a nice little jumping number. John Mayall stops by and gets in the way, as does Arlo Guthrie. Try the Fantasy re-releases of their 1960s-era stuff, or their earlier folkways albums, before you get this one.

Solid album. Pick it up and be happy. For less than 10$, it might just be the next best thing to a free smile.

Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee were an acoustic Blues duo who's career dated back to the 1940's. Brownie McGhee was a master guitar player and Sonny Terry waas a harmonica player of the first magnitude. I have yet to hear any of their records that wasn't a joy to listen to.

This CD is no exception. It contains some of the good, honest down-home Blues that the duo was famous for. iot also contains some surprising covers of Pop standards like "People Get Ready", "Sail Away" and "Bring It On Home To Me". The overall effort is a splendid hour of good listening for any music lover.

I definitely suggest that you give this, or any other Sonny Terry And Brownie McGhee recording a listen.

This album by Sonny & Brownie is fascinating - I am astounded at how well Arlo Guthrie blends in on Sail Way. On the Road Again shows the interplay between Sonny and Brownie that make them such a dynamic duo. While this is not their best, this album reminds you how much better they are than most even when not doing their personal best. In short, don't insist that everything the masters do is perfect - just sit back and enjoy their mastery.

What makes it great is the collaboration with a variety of rock/folk/blues musicians. Also, Sonny and Brownie are treated to a very professional back up band, which gives them a much fuller sound than usual. For what its worth, the songs on this album are what inspired a friend and myself to break out our dusty guitars and (try to) play the blues.

Been listening to this album for 30+ yrs but lost my vinyl copy a long time ago. CD is good but there's nothing like vinyl! This has got to be the best album Sonny & Brownie every produced.

This has been one of my favorite blues albums for 35 years. I am so happy to have found it in CD. I still love listening to it. Two of the warmest men with great senses of humor I have encountered in an album.