Down and Out Blues

Recording

The first session that Williamson recorded for Checker was on August 12, 1955 where he recorded "Don't Start Me to Talkin'" and "All My Love in Vain", which were released as a single a month later in September. On January 7, 1956 he recorded "Let Me Explain". The single "Keep It to Yourself" b/w "The Key (To Your Door)" was recorded on August 7, 1956. "Fattening Frogs for Snakes" b/w "I Don't Know" was recorded on February 6, 1957 and was released either in late May or early June. "99" was recorded on September 1, 1957 and was released as the B-side of "Born Blind" in late January or early February 1958. The single "Cross My Heart" b/w "Dissatisfied" was recorded at the same session. "Wake Up Baby" b/w "Your Funeral and My Trial" was the last song on Down and Out Blues to be recorded on March 27, 1958.

Artwork and packaging

The album cover features a photograph of a homeless person by Don Bronstein, and the liner notes were written by Studs Terkel, who had written Giants of Jazz.

Accolades

Down and Out Blues was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2007. In 1988, the album won a W.C. Handy Award for Vintage/Reissue Album (US).

Track listing

All songs written by Sonny Boy Williamson.

1. "Don't Start Me to Talkin'" – 2:30
2. "I Don't Know" – 2:20
3. "All My Love in Vain" – 2:45
4. "The Key (To Your Door)" – 3:10
5. "Keep It to Yourself" – 2:45
6. "Dissatisfied" – 2:40

1. "Fattening Frogs for Snakes" – 2:16
2. "Wake Up Baby" – 2:21
3. "Your Funeral and My Trial" – 2:26
4. "99" – 2:35
5. "Cross My Heart" – 3:18
6. "Let Me Explain" – 2:50

Personnel

Per liner notes

Charts

Down and Out Blues peaked at #20 on the UK Albums Chart.