Billy Boy Arnold - Kings Of Chicago Blues Vol.3

Styles : Chicago Blues, Harmonica Blues

Released : 1975 (Recorded 1970)

Lable : Vogue

01 - Hi Heel Sneakers
02 - Back Door Friend
03 - I Was Fooled
04 - Annie Lee
05 - Blues On Blues
06 - I'm Gonna Move
07 - Tomorrow Night
08 - Troubles

09 - Sinner's Prayer

Born William Arnold in Chicago, Illinois on September 15, 1935, at the age of thirteen he was captivated by the music of John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson and visited him at his home in Chicago for a series of informal harmonica lessons, just before Williamson’s untimely death in 1948. “That first visit was the most exciting day of my life, and made me determined to become a Bluesman” states Arnold. His 2008 Electro-Fi release Billy Boy Sings Sonny Boy is a heartfelt tribute to his mentor, released 60 years after they first met.

Billy Boy Arnold’s recording debut was a 45 rpm of “Hello Stranger" b/w "I Ain’t Got No Money” released in 1952 on the local Cool label, who gave him the nickname “Billy Boy.” After joining forces with street musician Ellas McDaniel, a.k.a. Bo Diddley, they did a session for Chess Records, where Arnold played harp on the March 1955 classic “I’m A Man,” released on Checker Records. But not content with being a sideman, he signed with Vee Jay Records, recording the original versions of “I Wish You Would” and “I Ain’t Got You.” Both songs were later covered by Eric Clapton and The Yardbirds, and “I Wish You Would” was also covered by David Bowie on his 1973 LP Pin Ups and by Hot Tuna on the 1976 album Hoppkorv.

In the early 1960’s Arnold recorded his first LP, More Blues From The Southside, for the Prestige label. But live gigs began to dry up in Chicago, which led to difficult times for Arnold, who had worked the club circuit steadily since the mid 1950’s with bands that included his brother, bassist Jerome Arnold, and guitarist Jody Williams. He found work driving a bus and as a parole officer for the State of Illinois.

By the early 1970s Billy Boy Arnold was enjoying the Blues revival, touring Europe and the U.K, and recording again. He recorded a session for BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel on October 5, 1977. In 1993 he released Back Where I Belong on Alligator Records, followed in 1995 by Eldorado Cadillac. In 2001 he released the Duke Robillard-produced Boogie Shuffle on the Stony Plain label.

In 2005 Arnold signed with Electro-Fi Records and released Consolidated Mojo, originally produced and recorded in 1992 by Electro-Fi label mate Mark Hummel, following a month-long Harmonica Blowout Tour of California. The album also features the guitar work of a young Rusty Zinn. In 2008 he released Billy Boy Sings Sonny Boy, where he was joined by Willy “Big Eyes” Smith, Bob Stroger, Billy Flynn and Mel Brown.

Discography

More Blues On The South Side (1963, Prestige/Original Blues Classics)

King Of Chicago Blues, Vol. 3 (1975, Vogue)

Sinner's Prayer (1976, Red Lightnin')
Checkin' It Out (1979, Sequel)

Ten Million Dollars (1984, Evidence)

Back Where I Belong (1993, Alligator)

Eldorado Cadillac (1995, Alligator)

Going To Chicago (1995, Testament)

Blowin' The Blues Away (1998, Culture Press)

Live At The Venue (2000, Catfish)

Boogie 'n' Shuffle (2001, Stony Plain)

Chicago Blues Harp (2003, P-Vine)

Consolidated Mojo (2005, Electro-Fi)

Dirty Mother (2007, Music Avenue)

Billy Boy Sings Sonny Boy (2008, Electro-Fi)

original LP from sussex