Sonny Terry - Whoopin Album - Background

1988 Alligator

Producer: Johnny Winter

This album was initially released on Johnny Winter's own record label "Mad Albino" as "I think I got the blues" on Red Vinyl.

In July 1981 Sonny Terry recorded an album called "Whoopin'" with Johnny Winter and Willie Dixon.

Johnny Winter launched his new label,Mad Albino Discs, by recording Sonny Terry in July at Baldwin Sound Productions in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Winter played guitar on the sessions and brought Willie Dixon from Chicago to play bass, while Styve Hominick, who has worked with Terry for the past 3 years, was on drums."

Additional information:

1984 delivered Sonny Terry, Johnny and Willie Dixon on Whoopin'. Alligator billed it as, "Sonny Terry is the blues harmonica master, and his 60 years of touring have taken his famous sound all over the world. This lp, lovingly produced by Johnny Winter (one of his biggest fans), features Sonny, Johnny on guitar and piano, blues legend Willie Dixon on bass, Styve Homnick on drums. Whoopin' is a true blues jam - and it is as much fun to listen to as it was to make! Johnny on piano. My god you get news sometimes that just blows you away. Johnny sure knows his harp players.

Whoopin was recorded on Johnny's own Albino label, in 1981, but it sat on the shelves for 3 years waiting to be realeased in the US. The recording took place at Winter played guitar on the sessions and brought Willie Dixon from Chicago to play bass, while Styve Hominick, who has worked with Terry for the past 3 years, was on drums.

This album is a classic for it shows again what a bluesman Johnny is, always has been. One side of the album Johnny plays entirely electric, on the other, acoustic. Johnny backs up the howling "whoo-whee" harmonica master in the classic country blues tradition.

Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee were some of the first country blues recorded. Johnny loved them but always felt that Sonny was never quite in his element. Brownie had that mellow, pretty Carolina style where Sonny was more raw Mississippi Delta.

Johnny was pleased when Sonny asked if he would produce an album for him. Johnny and Sonny had the same sound running through their heads. Johnny's job as producer was to find people who fit in with Sonny's natural style, not trying to change it. Now Johnny had the opportunity to make a record that represented that sound - that Delta sound with lots of slide.

After the record was recorded Sonny told Johnny this was his favorite record. This really made Johnny feel good since it reaffirmed Johnny's thoughts on Sonny's sound - putting him in his proper element.

This album is classic from Sonny's familiar, famous falsetto "whoop" to Johnny's sound, both electric and National Steel. Johnny stays in the true Mississippi Delta style even when tinkling those ivories rinky tink style. Each song is a masterpiece.

The cover of this album came from a snapshot Susan Warford (Winter) took. All 4 guys hamming it up for the camera. Sonny seated holding his harp, Sonny's old drummer Styve Homnick with his brushes, Willie Dixon beside his stand-up bass, and Johnny crouching down with his old National Steel.

Johnny looks quite different from anything we ever seen before in this picture. He was extra thin at the time and his hair was short and combed away from his face. He looked like an old fella with one eye shut, a cigarette hanging from his mouth, and wearing a white sleeveless t-shirt. He was as gaunt as we had ever seen him.