SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON ALCOHOL BLUES 78RPM RCA VICTOR 20-2893
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Description
SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON — 78rpm Catalog Description
ARTIST: Sonny Boy Williamson (John Lee Williamson)
TITLE: Alcohol Blues / Apple Tree Swing
LABEL: RCA Victor
CATALOGUE NUMBER: 20-2893
FORMAT: 10" Shellac, 78rpm
COUNTRY OF RELEASE: US
RELEASE DATE: May 1948 (Recorded September 19, 1947, Chicago)
GENRE: Chicago Blues / Post-War Down-Home Blues / Harmonica Blues
Historical Significance & Context
An irreplaceable, historic milestone of American blues history. This original US RCA Victor pressing captures the true "Father of Modern Blues Harmonica," John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson I, during his legendary, final series of studio dates. Recorded in Chicago in September 1947 and issued just weeks before his tragic murder in June 1948, this disc stands as a profound, bittersweet final statement from an artist who single-handedly shaped the vocabulary of urban blues harp.
The personnel assembled for this session represents a magnificent crossroads of acoustic delta heritage and the emerging, driving rhythm of post-war Chicago grit:
Sonny Boy Williamson (Vocals & Harmonica)
Eddie Boyd (Piano)
Willie J. Lacey (Guitar)
Ransom Knowling (Double Bass)
Judge Riley (Drums)
Side A, "Alcohol Blues," is an absolute masterpiece of raw, autobiographical urban blues. Sonny Boy’s world-weary vocal delivery and weeping, highly expressive harmonica lines explore themes of dependency and survival with unflinching emotion, perfectly anchored by Eddie Boyd's syncopated piano chug and Willie Lacey's rhythmic guitar phrasing.
Side B, "Apple Tree Swing," shifts the temperature beautifully into a high-energy, infectious down-home blues stomp. This track gives the stellar Chicago ensemble a marvelous canvas to cut loose, letting the rhythm section roll behind Sonny Boy’s lightning-fast harmonica articulation and unmatched improvisational drive.
Original postwar RCA Victor blues shellac from this final 1947 run is extraordinarily tough to source in clean, collector-grade condition. Because it was issued so close to his sudden passing, copies were heavily played on heavy-tracking vintage phonographs, making lustrous survivors an exceptional rarity. A crown jewel centerpiece for any serious roots, pre-war, or early post-war Chicago blues archive.
Technical Identifiers
Side A Matrix (Stamped): 20-2893A (Runout: 20-2893A 4S)
Side B Matrix (Stamped): 20-2893B (Runout: 20-2893B 4S)
Label Variation: Original post-war US deep maroon/gold label layout featuring the iconic RCA Victor "Nipper" dog logo.
Shipping & Packaging Information
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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