SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON Blind John Davis Miss Stella Brown BLUEBIRD 34-0736 78
£
60
$
80
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Description
This disc captures a masterclass in the foundational formulas that defined modern harmonica blues. Released in October 1945 on the iconic RCA Bluebird imprint, this original US pressing features the definitive pioneer of the instrument, Sonny Boy Williamson (John Lee Williamson), delivering his self-penned classics Miss Stella Brown-Blues b/w Desperado Woman. This specific specimen is a highly sought-after first-state Camden factory pressing, instantly recognizable to advanced collectors by the two concentric label lines broken away from the small RCA shield at the base of the design.
The performances represent an immaculate piece of post-war Chicago music history. On Miss Stella Brown-Blues, Williamson's legendary, rich vocal delivery and crying, speech-like harmonica phrasing anchor a high-velocity ensemble. The true prize for advanced musicologists lies in the magnificent uncredited studio combo backing the track. The session reunites Williamson with the legendary house pianist Blind John Davis, whose intricate, ragtime-inflected blues stride forms a spectacular, rolling pocket alongside Ted Summitt on electric guitar and the driving traps of Armand "Jump" Jackson. Side B (Desperado Woman) continues the fierce, syncopated momentum, highlighting Williamson's masterful songwriting and unmatched rhythmic timing. Finding clean, unscuffed examples of mid-1940s Bluebird entries entirely free of heavy steel-needle gray tracking wear, deep surface scuffs, or center-hole stress fractures is an absolute rarity. This archive specimen has been beautifully looked after, boasting a strong original factory gloss, exceptionally sharp groove walls, and pristine label faces.
Technical Data
Artist: Sonny Boy Williamson (Blues Singer with Piano, Guitar, and Traps)
Lead Vocals & Harmonica: Sonny Boy Williamson
Featured Piano: Blind John Davis
Featured Electric Guitar: Ted Summitt
Featured Drums / Traps: Armand "Jump" Jackson
Compositions: * Side A: Miss Stella Brown-Blues (Sonny Boy Williamson)
Side B: Desperado Woman (Sonny Boy Williamson)
Label: Bluebird Records (Original US RCA Victor Division Blue & Silver Label)
Catalog Number: 34-0736
Factory Pressing Variant: Camden Pressing Plant, New Jersey (Concentric rings broken at base)
Master Session Matrices: D4AB-0324-1 (Miss Stella Brown) / D4AB-0325-1 (Desperado Woman)
Format: 10" Shellac Record, 78RPM
Manufacture: Made in USA (RCA Victor Division of Radio Corporation of America)
Recording Date: December 14, 1944 (RCA Studio A, Chicago, Illinois)
Release Date: October 16, 1945
Genre: Chicago Blues / Harmonica Blues / Blind John Davis Piano / Post-War Shellac Rarities
The disc is sandwiched between corrugated cardboard and wrapped in bubble wrap. This is then placed inside a double-skin box filled with packing void to prevent movement and provide maximum protection.
Carefully packed and promptly dispatched
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