Lake Records LACD 278, released in September 2009.

Recordings made in 1958; several tracks appeared on the LP by the same title, plus the CD includes rare, and in some cases previously-unissued, bonus tracks.

When I first saw this new CD, I believed to be a "normal reissue" of old material. But while listening to it, I noticed how carefully Paul Adams has selected the tracks. Collectors who missed Lake CD LACD 87 have a second chance to get the complete content of the original 10-inch LP, "Sonny, Brownie & Chris". But there are more titles with the two blues singers and quite a lot of jazz tunes that have been released here for the first time on CD, including most notably instrumental versions of Just A Closer Walk With Thee and Do Lord. Also previously unissued is the title Blue Bells Goodbye. When You And I Were Young, Maggie is presented here as a straight band version; it was normally played at that time as a solo number by Monty Sunshine.

There are a lot more tunes to name. In the repertoire of the current Big Chris Barber Band is the song Cornbread, Peas & Black Molasses. At concerts Chris always refers to the Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee tour when announcing the title. Here you can listen to the original version by the two great blues singers. (By the way the Sonny Terry/Browne McGhee titles on this CD are not the same versions as are on the "Blues Legacy CDs Lost & Found, Volumes 1 and 2", issued in 2008.)

The CD comes with an eight-page booklet and a great deal of discographical information. Thanks to Linda & Paul Adams for this great CD album.

Andreas Wandfluh
September 2009