Video of the Week #17

I've enjoyed my soundies for the last 16 weeks, and I'm sure I'll select many more. However, the soundies were a '40s phenomenon. By expanding the time frame, I can include some scenes from movies, documentaries, and the early days of TV. I'll stick with artists from the '60s or earlier who are seldom seen on video.

There are several clips available from the American Folk Blues Festival that were recorded for European TV in the early '60s. Here's Sonny Boy Williamson #2 doing “Nine Below Zero,” along with Otis Spann, piano; Matt Murphy, guitar; Willie Dixon, bass, and Bill Stepney, drums. The introduction is by Memphis Slim.

I should explain about Sonny Boy Williamson #1 and #2. John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson (1914-1948) was a Chicago bluesman who recorded for Bluebird beginning in 1938. He was the first blues star whose primary instrument was the harmonica. He was murdered in 1948. Shortly thereafter, Aleck “Rice” Miller (1899-1965), who also sang and played harmonica, began doing live radio in Memphis and recording under the name “Sonny Boy Williamson.” He moved to Chicago and had an even longer career, primarily with Chess Records. To add to the confusion, he claimed to be “the real” Sonny Boy—which he was not. Both were great bluesmen. There is no video of SBW #1. This is SBW #2.

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The Soundies #6 (Big Bill Broonzy)