Whoopin' (album)
| Whoopin' | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1984 | |||
| Genre | Blues | |||
| Label | Alligator | |||
| Producer | Johnny Winter | |||
| Sonny Terry chronology | ||||
| ||||
Whoopin' is an album by the American musician Sonny Terry, released in 1984.[1][2] He is credited with Johnny Winter and Willie Dixon.[3] The album was also released as I Think I Got the Blues.[4] It was the first of Winter's two 1984 Alligator Records albums.[5]
Production
[edit]Recorded in three days, Whoopin' was produced by Winter.[6][7] He wanted to capture a rawer, Delta sound, rather than the mellower, prettier one that Terry played with Brownie McGhee.[8] "I Think I Got the Blues" was written by Dixon, who also played bass on the album.[9] Styve Homnick played drums.[10] "Ya, Ya" is a cover of the Lee Dorsey song.[11]
Critical reception
[edit]
The Globe and Mail noted that, "although the familiar, jolly material ... jumps along at Terry's usual, casual pace, Winters seems intent on pushing it into overdrive."[9] The Boston Globe wrote that Terry's "playing had its familiar sweeping tone and was still electrifying."[19] The Sydney Morning Herald called the album "excellent," writing that "Johnny and Sonny whoop, holler and jam to their hearts' content."[4] The Pittsburgh Press opined that Winter "shows admirable restraint in these more subtle, traditional blues."[20]
The Press of Atlantic City praised the "outstanding musicianship" and "sweet harp."[11] The Commercial Appeal determined that Whoopin' "is destined for 'classic' status," writing that "every cut is raw, lean, and mean."[13] The Omaha World-Herald stated that Terry plays "a mean harmonica on 10 rocking blues numbers."[16] The Lincoln Journal Star determined that "Terry achieves something that's electrified, but not modernly electronic."[14] The Idaho Statesman listed Whoopin' as the eighth best album of 1984.[21]
AllMusic lamented that "Terry didn't put any amplified muscle behind his harmonica."[12]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Got My Eyes on You" | |
| 2. | "Sonny's Whoopin' the Doop" | |
| 3. | "Burnt Child" | |
| 4. | "Whoee, Whoee" | |
| 5. | "Crow Jane" | |
| 6. | "So Tough with Me" | |
| 7. | "Whoo Wee Baby" | |
| 8. | "I Think I Got the Blues" | |
| 9. | "Ya, Ya" | |
| 10. | "Roll Me Baby" |
References
[edit]- ^ Krampert, Peter (2016). The Encyclopedia of the Harmonica. Mel Bay Publications. p. 172.
- ^ "Sonny Terry Biography by Al Campbell". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Williams, Stephen (13 Mar 1986). "Country blues singer Terry dies at 74". Ottawa Citizen. Newsday. p. C17.
- ^ a b Everingham, Henry (13 Feb 1984). "Sonny and Johnny Holler On". The Guide. The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 6.
- ^ Shepard, Eric (24 Aug 1984). "Other Blues Notes". The Journal-News. p. 5.
- ^ a b Muretich, James (8 Sep 1984). "Whoopin' Terry reveals power of the blues". Calgary Herald. p. F11.
- ^ Morse, Steve (27 Apr 1984). "Johnny Winter Keeps the Blues Coming". Arts/Film. The Boston Globe. p. 1.
- ^ Anderson, J.P. (3 May 1984). "Winter's happy playing the blues". The Citizen Register. p. D3.
- ^ a b Lacey, Liam (30 Aug 1984). "Whoopin' Sonny Terry, Johnny Winter and Willie Dixon". The Globe and Mail. p. E3.
- ^ Clark, Roxanne (7 Apr 1985). "Records". The Indianapolis Star. p. 8E.
- ^ a b Allen, Greg (18 May 1984). "Whoopin' Sonny Terry". The Press of Atlantic City. p. V3.
- ^ a b "Whoopin' Review by Ron Wynn". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ a b Burnett, Brown (3 Jun 1984). "Whoopin' by Sonny Terry". The Commercial Appeal. p. 12.
- ^ a b Becker, Bart (19 Jun 1984). "Rough and Raw". Lifestyle. Lincoln Journal Star. p. 4.
- ^ MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. pp. 359, 360.
- ^ a b Catlin, Roger (5 Jun 1984). "New Sounds". Omaha World-Herald. p. 17.
- ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin. 2006. p. 639.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2013). The Virgin Encyclopedia of the Blues. Virgin.
- ^ Morse, Steve (14 Mar 1986). "Sonny Terry's Legacy: Love of the Country Blues". Arts and Film. The Boston Globe. p. 39.
- ^ White, Jim (8 Jul 1984). "Blues". The Pittsburgh Press. p. E6.
- ^ Weinstein, Norman (9 Dec 1984). "1984's Top 10 Albums". Idaho Statesman. p. D1.