Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee Albums (14)
'The Real Folk Blues'
Release Date 3/12/2002
Tracks 10
Label Prestige Elite
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'Live at the New Penelope Cafe'
Release Date 11/18/1997
Tracks 10
Label Just A Memory
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What The Critics Say
It sometimes seems like there are about 90 live albums by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, all from the 1960s. This one, taped at a show in Montreal in 1967, stands out from the rest because the duo are in unusually lively form, and its having been recorded in a more raw than usual manner. As with other releases in this Canadian-taped series by Michael Nerenberg, it's possible that the duo weren't even thinking about the fact that they were being recorded, and so were less stiff and formal than they could sometimes sound playing in front of white collegiate audiences. The result is a record a bit louder and noisier, but also more exciting than most of their other live albums -- the voices mesh together a bit rougher and more honestly than they do on some of their other live releases. The sound is clean mono, with the audience present but not overly obtrusive, and the repertory includes "Cornbread, Peas and Black Molasses," "Sportin' Life," "Easy Rider," "Pack It Up and Go," "Hooray Hooray (These Women Is Killing Me)," Champion Jack Dupree's "Under Your Hood," and a medley of stuff like the Broonzy/Segar "Key to the Highway" and Leroy Carr's "In the Evening." ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
'Going It Alone'
Release Date 4/29/1997
Tracks 14
Label Blues Alliance
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What The Critics Say
The title doesn't lie; Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee may share equal billing on this reissue, but they do so separately, with separate bands from separate mid-'70s recording dates. Both of the sessions on Going It Alone found the respective "loners" striving for more of an ensemble sound, with Terry fronting an acoustic trio rounded out by guitarist Bob Malenky and pianist Michael Rura, and McGhee opting for an electric combo that included guitarist Louisiana Red and harp blower Sugar Blue. The results are enjoyable but uneven, mainly due to the tentative chemistry between the frontmen and their individual sidemen. McGhee's combo seems to gel better than Terry's, which is no surprise considering Terry's more irregular sense of timing; perhaps another factor was that most of the songs in Terry's set were written by Malenky and producer Kent Cooper, whereas McGhee stuck to his own material. Despite the hit-or-miss quality of these informal sessions, Terry and McGhee still come off as masters of their craft. It might not be as strong as classic Terry & McGhee material, but Going It Alone gives a compelling glimpse of how two former partners had to cope without each other. ~ Ken Chang, All Music Guide
'Sing the Blues'
Release Date 3/1/1996
Tracks 10
Label Sony Special Products
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'Conversation with the River'
Release Date 11/21/1995
Tracks 11
Label World Network
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'Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry at the 2nd Fret'
Release Date 8/18/1993
Tracks 10
Label Bluesville/Original Blues Classics
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What The Critics Say
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee were the ultimate blues duo; McGhee's stylized singing and light, flickering guitar was wonderfully contrasted by Terry's sweeping, whirling harmonica solos and intense, country-tinged singing. They were in great form during the ten tunes featured on this live date. Sometimes, as on "Custard Pie" or "Barking Bull Dog," they're funny; at other times, they were prophetic, chilling, or moving. This is Piedmont blues at its best, and this disc's tremendous remastering provides a strong sonic framework. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
'Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry Sing'
Release Date 1/1/1990
Tracks 13
Label Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
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What The Critics Say
One of the duo's best acoustic folk-blues collaborations, originally issued in 1958. They convincingly run through a very enjoyable series of collaborations marked by affectionate interplay, with drummer Gene Moore adding rhythmic power. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide
'I Couldn't Believe My Eyes'
Release Date 1/1/1973
Tracks 10
Label BluesWay
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