Customer Reviews

Whoopin'

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

 

 

Recorded in three days, Whoopin' is a gritty stomp from the true Mississippi Delta tradition. Absolutely no fillers in this collection. Recorded live with no overdubs, Sonny Terry blows and sings with the fervor of the best, and Johnny Winter's slide work smokes from start to finish. Willie Dixon provides the authentic juke joint slap bass. The only question you'll have after hearing this is why the promotions dept. wasn't sacked for not getting the word out on this release. Get it.

Johnny Winter applied his deft touch to this outstanding recording with Sonny Terry and Willie Dixon. As with the four brilliant Blues Sky recordings he produced for Muddy Waters this set is a killer. Winter's playing is always at it's best when he is in the presence of a Blues Master. He is more restrained and supportive, less invested in overwhelming the music as he is in supporting the artist. Sonny is in top form. It's hard to imagine he was near the end of the road at the time of this effort. His was a remarkably vital and inspired performance. This is a modern-era classic of the blues, at a time that the blues was gasping it's last authentic breath. Essential...Simon

SONNY TERRY IS A COUNTRY BLUES HARMONICA PLAYER WHOSE TRADEMARK "WHOOPIN" RECALLS A LATE NIGHT HOE-DOWN. TERRY HAS PERFORMED SOLO AS WELL AS WITH MANY OF THE GREATS INCLUDING LEADBELLY, LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS, BIG JOE WILLIAMS, AND WOODIE GUTHERIE.

WITH RESPECT TO THIS CD, TERRY IS JOINED BY JOHNNY WINTER WHO PRODUCES AND PLAYS SLIDE GUITAR AND PIANO, THE GREAT WILLIE DIXON ON BASS AND STYVE HOMNICK ON DRUMS. THE END RESULT IS A DELTA STYLE BLUES CD WHICH KEEPS THE "WHOOPIN" TO A MINIMUM.

WHILE THERE ARE SOME STANDOUTS ON THIS CD SUCH AS "I GOT MY EYES ON YOU" AND "BURNT CHILD", THIS IS NOT TERRY'S BEST WORK. PRIOR TO RECOMMENDING THIS CD, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU LOOK INTO TERRY'S "WHOOPIN' THE BLUES: THE CAPITOL RECORDINGS 1947-50" OR "BROWNIE MCGHEE AND SONNY TERRY SING". EITHER OR BOTH CD'S WILL GIVE YOU A BETTER SENSE OF THIS MAN IN HIS HEYDAY.

Saunders Terrell was 72 when this album was recorded, but he sounds as healthy as always, and his joyous whoops still pepper his singing.
Johnny Winter plays excellent, gritty blues behind Sonny Terry, Willie Dixon slaps the upright bass, and drummer Styve Homnick lays down a tough, shuffling backbeat on these ten songs which include one instrumental, and excellent renditions of "I Got My Eyes On You", "Ya Ya", and the infectious, up-tempo boogie "Hooray, Hooray, This Woman Is Killing Me", as well as yet another take on the classic "Worry No More / It Hurts Me Too"-tune, this one titled "Burnt Child", and a swinging, folkish "Crow Jane".

It's a bit of shame that Sonny Terry's harmonica isn't amplified, but otherwise, this is a really strong session, the arrangements are excellent, and Sonny's voice is a powerful as ever.
4 1/2 stars - highly recommended.

Man this is a rockin little record :A nice scenario where we see the acoustic classic harp, and spot -on vocals of Sonny with an electric country blues rhythm section behind him . Nothing I know of recorded by Sonny was ever done this way and i'm so glad we have this most enjoyable blend of blues left behind by Sonny for us to dig forever. The late Willie Dixon, Steve Homnyk, and Producer / Guitar legend Johnny Winter are the band here ,and the whole thing is a pure joy to listen to. Uncluttered rockin acoustic/electric country blues; A true classic .One of the best Alligator Records releases ever .

Excellent, thanks a lot! I really enjoy buy it!

Excellent, thanks a lot! I really enjoy buy it!

Excellent, thanks a lot! I really enjoy buy it!

This was Sonny Terry's favorite recording that he ever made.
That's all I wantd to add....(The rest of the reviews cover the aspects.)