Sonny Boy Williamson – Polly Put Your Kettle On

Born 1914, Sonny Boy Williamson I was one of the pioneering first wave of bluesmen to achieve a level of success and national notoriety as a recorded artist. In his all too brief life and career, Williamson popularized harmonica blues and after landing in Chicago in 1934 became one of the key movers and influences on the cities now infamous blues scene.

Both sides here were cut in 1947 and showcase an evolving sound which was to be tragically cut short when Williamson died a year later at the desperately young age of 34. Williamson’s influence and popularity always remained as blues and R&B performers through the 50s and 60s continued to reference and cover his work. ‘Polly Put Your Kettle On’ was in turn rediscovered and became something of a club favourite on the roots music scenes of the 80s and has long since continued to light up the floor as the quintessential early ‘Blues Bopper’. The fact that it was issued in ’48 on 78rpm only has meant that this classic has never had a proper DJ friendly 45rpm issue – and the same goes for the hep shuffler ‘Mellow Chick Swing’ … Until now!