Sonny Boy was the baddest harp player ever. No doubt about it. Not sure if anybody noticed, while the pictures are scrolling by as the song plays, listen to what he's playing while the picture of him in the casket is featured. He's playing the rhythm and the melody at the same time. Next to impossible unless you can play through your mouth and nose simultaneously. the man was a genius.
You're right. A true genius. What more can be says--cept sure wish ida seen him live...the closest I got was working with Eddie 'Guitar" Burns from Detroit back in '88. Eddie had met Sonny Boy as a kid walking down a Mississippi road. Sonny Boy was walking down from the other direction. Then in Boston we played a gig a set opening up for Johnny Shines, and Robert Lockwood Jr. Before Mr. Lockwood began playing he asked the audience to give "Eddie Burns, and his young harp player an applause for the fine job they did." He didn't need to remember my name. Coming from Robert Lockwood Jr. Sonny Boy's old guitar player was just plain good enough. RIP KINGS SONNY BOY II....RICE MILER & SONNY BOY 1 JOHN LEE WILLIAMSON Gone, but loved forever. 😎 Jon Beckley Morris Harp Sideman to R.L. Burnside 1982 - 1994
maybe John Lee Curtis Williamson the guy who he stall the name sonny boy did not think he was the coolest dude. Jhon lee even try to catch him ones in chicago but he couldn't.
Shut up troll. Rice Miller adopted the name from SBW 1 just like two dozen other hero-worshipping young harpists. It is tribute to his legacy that he filled some large shoes. Exactly what have you done?
This is Sonny Boy Williamson II . There was a Sonny Boy Williamson before him who also played mouth harp. Both of their musical repertoires were amazing with enough difference to make each distinct. I had a big collection of both which I would listen to for hours. Played the hell out of them when I had my Blues radio show. Now to make things crazier, about 20, 25 years ago there was a young harp player come along claiming he was II's nephew and billing himself as Sonny Boy III. He came and went pretty quickly. You can't go wrong with I or II. Both played real Blues the right way. Or as my old Blues Brother J.Wood, leader of the Blues Commandos, would say, "Blues To You!"😎🎶
As a pro harp player for over 40 years maybe the biggest regret in my life was never to have seen Sonny Boy Rice Miller play. He is Country Blues and Chicago Blues all mixed together Sonny Boy style. People can play his licks, but it ain't the same. But, they we sure keep his spirit alive.
No Walter Marion Jacobs is the "Lord "of the harmonica.Sonny Terry told me that in Paris in 1979.In 1980 interviewing him,Walter Horton told me the same thing in his house (south indiana avenue Chicago,next to the "smitty corner lounge")!!!
Little Walter was the best ,Sonny boy was the best also ,I really think Jimmy Reed could stand in there with them too ,all three were the best in my book ,,top of the line bluesmen ,no doubt.
