Customer Reviews

Sonny Terry: The Folkways Years, 1944-1963

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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.

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.