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Muddy Waters sequence started on CD2—and introduces Little Hudson, JB Lenoir
and Eddie Taylor and others. The quality of the music is beyond reproach.

Because of the large number of tracks on these four CDs, one example of the
recordings must serve for many. I have chosen two tracks, ‘Southern Dream’ and ‘I
Love You for Myself’ by Sonny Boy Williamson, that is John Lee Williamson, now
known as Sonny Boy #1, which, when they were released in September 1949,were
back-to-back 78s.

The tracks were recorded in Chicago on November 12, 1947 and Sonny Boy was
joined on both by Blind John Davis - piano, Big Bill Broonzy - guitar, the fabulous
Ransom Knowling - string bass and Judge Riley - drums.
These are wonderful examples of the kind of music being produced during the late
1940’s in the windy city. Driven by John Davis’ rolling piano, Sonny Boy’s vocal and
harp rise above the fray, while Broonzy, Knowling and Riley provide an unerring,
faultless backing beat. This is ‘classic’ Chicago blues, by masters of their craft.
Needless to say, almost without exception, many of the other tracks follow suit.

This set is, will be, a valuable addition to the library of anyone who has an interest
in what are sometimes known as the ‘real blues’ and should be required listening
before anyone can call themselves a blues person.
Ian K McKenzie

Cat Squirrel—Blues What Am—Diggers Factory ASIN
: B0CBW8P7YW

Legendary producer Mike Vernon has now returned to
fronting a band again after the disbanding of his ‘Mighty
Combo’ during the pandemic, Spanish guitarist Kid Car-
los remains and he writes the songs here along with
Mike, the rest of the band is also Spanish – Mingo Bala-
guer (harmonica), Oriol Fontanals (bass) and Pascual
Monge (drums). The album kicks off with a swinging
version of the old Big Bill Broonzy song ‘I Feel So Good’,
followed by their own ‘What Might Be Your Name’ – great
ensemble Chicago blues - and then they also tackle Dr. Ross’s ‘Cat Squirrel’ which
sounds more like Jethro Tull’s version than the Cream version. ‘Out on a Limb’ is
quite jazzy and features Mingo on chromatic harp and ‘Heart of Gold’ has Carlos on
electric slide - Elmore James-style.

‘Tell Me Mama’ sounds very low down and dirty (in a good way!), while ‘What the
Blues Will Do’ is again quite jazzy, or even country-sounding? However, with ‘All She
Wants is Me’ we’re back to the blues, ditto Jimmy Reed’s ‘You Got Me Dizzy’ and
‘Baby Please’. ‘One Minute’ is a pleasant-sounding ballad and Arbee Stidham’s ‘Let
the Boogie Rip’ is an insistent boogie with a repeating riff featuring unison harp and
guitar. I was very impressed by the band, Kid Carlos has a great feel and tone on
guitar, Mingo is excellent on harp on every single track and the rhythm section
drives the whole thing perfectly. Mike’s vocals are OK (I hate to say "the weakest
link in the band") but his original songs are good and his production is outstanding
– this is modern-sounding blues that sounds much more authentic than many of his
previous productions, all-in-all a highly recommended release.

Graham Harrison