Arhoolie reissued two of Big Joe Williams' seminal rediscovery albums on one disc in 1990. The first, 1960's Tough Times, ranks among his best; the second, 1969's Thinking of What They Did, isn't as strong, but the two albums provide an excellent introduction to this Delta bluesman. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

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Document's Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1935-1941) is an invaluable collection of Big Joe Williams' late-'30s and early-'40s recordings. Most of the best performances of Williams' career are here ("Baby Please Don't Go," "Somebody's Been Borrowing That Stuff," "Crawlin' King Snake," "Little Leg Woman," "Stack of Dollars," "Highway 49"), with support from figures including Sonny Boy Williamson and Henry Townsend. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide

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Those who've never heard Big Joe Williams might be genuinely surprised at just how outstanding a musician he was, being tremendously accomplished on his self-made nine-string guitar and with vocals as expressive and forceful as Muddy Waters. Beautifully remastered, this collection finds Williams' talents at their peak with a fine variation of raw country blues like "Whistling Pines" and "Kings Highway Blues," and more strongly uptempo tracks like "Somebody's Been Fooling #1" and {&"King B...   [ read more ]

CD $16.13