Down & Out Blues in Bloomington, MN

Retaining photographer
Don Bronstein
's cover shot of a disheveled bum lying on the sidewalk (some former
Chess
artist, perhaps?)
Sonny Boy Williamson
's original 1959 album made it to digital reissue but has now been supplanted by
MCA
's exhaustive
The Essential Sonny Boy Williamson
. Still, for a budget price, there are a dozen unforgettable tracks:
"Don't Start Me to Talkin',"
and his
Checker
debut;
"All My Love in Vain,"
"Wake Up Baby,"
"99,"
"Cross My Heart,"
"Let Me Explain,"
and
"The Key (To Your Door)."
~ Bill Dahl