Sonny Is King is an album by blues musician Sonny Terry, recorded in sessions in 1960 and 1962 and released on the Bluesville label.Jazzdisc: Sonny Terry Catalog accessed October 26, 2018Both Sides Now: Prestige/Bluesville Album Discography accessed October 26, 2018
Reception
AllMusic reviewer Thom Owens stated: "Half of Sonny Is King is devoted to a rare session between Sonny Terry and Lightnin' Hopkins ... but the rhythm section fails to kick the pair into overdrive, and much of the music disappointingly meanders ... That's proven by the second side of the album, where Terry falls into the comfortable setting of duetting with Brownie McGhee. While these aren't among the duo's very best recordings, they are nonetheless enjoyable, suggesting that there's something to be said for the familiar".
Track listing All compositions by Sonny Terry "One Monkey Don't Stop the Show" – 3:04 "Changed the Lock On My Door" – 3:30 "Tater Pie" – 2:32 "She's So Sweet" – 2:39 "Diggin' My Potatoes" 3:32 "Sonny's Coming" – 2:50 "Ida Mae" – 3:10 "Callin' My Mama" – 2:33 "Bad Luck" – 4:10 "Blues from the Bottom" – 4:17
Personnel Sonny Terry – harmonica, vocals Lightnin' Hopkins (tracks 1–5), Brownie McGhee (tracks 6–10) – guitar Leonard Gaskin – bass (tracks 1–5) Belton Evans – drums (tracks 1–5) Ozzie Cadena (tracks 1–5), Kenneth S. Goldstein (tracks 6–10) – producer Rudy Van Gelder – engineer
References