When I first put on Joe Willie Wilkins & His King Biscuit Boys (Adamo ADS 9507) I received a jolt. The opening "Mr. Downchild" and "Muddy Walter's "Sad Letter" (a great version) had all the power of Muddy's great recordings from the early fifties . Wilkins was Robert Lockwood's .successor as Sonny Boy Williamson's accompanist on the famed King Biscuit Time radio program. This album is his first lengthy exposure on wax and if there are occasional bum notes from the assorted accompanists don't let that deter you. Also, much of this album is from a live performance and if the sound isn't perfect, the music is funky and down home. A truly great record of blues that anyone into Muddy, the Wolf or others will dig. My choice for album of the month.
Here is "Mr. Downchild" from another live recording.
2 comments:
joe Willie Wilkins is lying in an unmarked grave in Memphis!
Joe Willie Wilkins is lying in an unmarked grave in Memphis!
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