Sonny Terry: The Folkways Years, 1944-1963

The Folkways Years (Smithsonian Folkways Series), Sonny Terry | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000001DHN
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,532 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Traditional Blues
  • #18 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > East Coast Blues
  • #24 in Music > Blues > Harmonica Blues

Editorial Reviews

This 17-song anthology, selected from eight Sonny Terry LP's and other unreleased Folkways recordings, illustrates the remarkable variety of styles this influential harmonica player employed in his performance of blues, religious, and folk material. Produced and compiled by Kip Lornell. "...[A] first-rate sampling of Terry's lasting and important contribution to our musical heritage." —Sing Out

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have, November 15, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sonny Terry: The Folkways Years, 1944-1963 (Audio CD)

If you are a fan of blues harmonica - actually, even if can't stand the harmonica, you will love this CD. This is definitely a must-have for any fan of Sonny Terry and a good addition to any blues library.

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic harmonica blues from North Carolina, August 27, 2010

By 

Paul Haspel (State College, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sonny Terry: The Folkways Years, 1944-1963 (Audio CD)

This compilation of Sonny Terry's recordings reminds one of the marvelous and varied talent of the harmonica bluesman from North Carolina. It is impressive to hear the range of sounds that Sonny Terry could coax from his harmonica, as when he recreates the sounds of a fox-and-hounds pursuit on "Fox Chase." These recordings have a stripped-down quality, with many of them featuring nothing but voice, harmonica, and acoustic guitar. Songs that stand out for me on this compilation include the emotional "Going Down Slow"; "Dark Road," with a deep bluesy quality and evocative harmonies; the stark and powerful "Jail House Blues"; and the energetic, uptempo "Custard Pie Blues," the title of which made me wonder if this song might have somehow inspired the Led Zeppelin song "Custard Pie" from "Physical Graffiti." The thorough and helpful liner notes capture well the difficulties of Sonny Terry's life (e.g., his father died when he was 14, and two separate accidents left him legally blind by age 16) as well as his hard-won success as a musician. Other musicians to be heard on this album include not only guitarist Brownie McGhee, who collaborated with Sonny Terry for many years, but also Pete Seeger (Terry worked with Woody Guthrie as well). Strongly recommended for any fan of Southern blues.