Sonny Terry

Sonny Terry

23910 fans

Better known as "Blind" simply because he's blind, Sonny Terry, an atypical character, appears before the public armed with his harmonica, playing percussion with a set of knucklebones, all the while executing dance steps. Before making his living from music, he flirted with quackery by selling miracle potions. A street musician, his first public performances took place outside factories. He was hired by John Hammond, who could not resist the original style of this unusual musician and opened the doors of Carnegie Hall to him. He stayed in New York, where he formed one of the best-known duos in blues history with Brownie McGhee. He recorded extensively in the 40s and 50s, primarily for black audiences. As a musician and actor, he appeared on Broadway and in films. The duo's popularity grew, firstly because they crossed stylistic boundaries, and secondly because they were recognized as authors of protest blues. Sonny Terry had to answer to the U.S. administration for his political involvement, so he pretended to be naive in order to avoid legal complications and pursue his activism. As the tastes of the black public evolved towards styles other than the blues, the duo became the darling of the white public. At the end of his career, Sonny Terry recorded with Johnny Winter and Willie Dixon, continued to perform on stage and to appear on cinema screens - for example, with director Steven Spielberg in "The Color Purple". His character remains attached to Piedmont Blues, his music being a reference to the essence of blues in the days of the slave plantations.

photo : © Rue des Archives

Top tracks

09
I'm Crazy 'Bout Your Pie
Sonny Terry
Wizard Of The Harmonica
03:02
01
Diggin' My Potatoes
Sonny Terry
Wizard Of The Harmonica
03:37
03
You Bring Out The Boogie In Me
Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
02:44
Writer: Michael Franks / Composers: Michael Franks
01
One Monkey Don't Stop The Show
Sonny Terry
Sonny Is King
03:12
Composers: Sonny Terry
05
Diggin' My Potatoes (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Is King
03:43
Composers: Sonny Terry
04
Take A Trip With Me
Lightnin' Hopkins
The Complete Prestige / Bluesville Recordings
05:03
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
02
Bring It On Home To Me
Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
03:33
Writer: Sam Cooke / Composers: Sam Cooke
24
Ride and Roll
Sonny Terry
That's All Right (When the Sun Goes Down series)
02:32
Writer: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee / Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
05
Sonny's Thing
Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
02:07
Writer: Sonny Terry / Composers: Sonny Terry
07
Hard To Love A Woman
Lightnin' Hopkins
The Complete Prestige / Bluesville Recordings
03:59
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
05
Poor Boy Blues
Brownie McGhee
Blues Legends
02:53
Writer: Brownie McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee / Other contributors: Cop. Con. (Ascap)
03
So Sorry To Leave You
Lightnin' Hopkins
Last Night Blues
04:18
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
12
Harmonica Blues
Sonny Terry
Sonny Terry's New Sound: The Jawharp in Blues and Folk Music
04:42
Composers: Saunders Terrell "Sonny Terry"
07
The Battle Is Over (But The War Goes On)
Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
02:44
Writer: Hal Winn - Mighty Mo Rodgers / Composers: Hal Winn - Mighty Mo Rodgers
03
Good Morning Blues
Lead Belly
Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Lead Belly Legacy, Vol. 1
02:26
Composers: Unspecified - Huddie Ledbetter
06
Midnight Special
Sonny Terry
Midnight Special
04:07
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
04
Sail Away
Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
03:57
Writer: Randy Newman / Composers: Randy Newman
11
Freight Train (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Back To New Orleans
02:44
Composers: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry
08
Conversation Blues
Lightnin' Hopkins
The Complete Prestige / Bluesville Recordings
03:49
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
01
Rocky Mountain
Lightnin' Hopkins
Last Night Blues
04:55
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
01
Sonny's Squall
Sonny Terry
Midnight Special
03:46
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
11
God And Man
Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
03:46
Writer: Maurice Rogers / Composers: Maurice Rogers
07
That Train and My Woman
Sonny Terry
Going It Alone
02:52
Composers: Not Documented
09
Big Wind (Is A Coming)
Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
03:05
Writer: Mighty Mo Rodgers - G. Michaels / Composers: Mighty Mo Rodgers - G. Michaels
01
People Get Ready
Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
03:55
Writer: Curtis Mayfield / Composers: Curtis Mayfield
09
Jackhammer Blues
Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie Sings Folk Songs
02:39
Composers: Woody Guthrie
11
Blues Before Sunrise
Sonny Terry
Birthright: A Black Roots Music Compendium
04:32
Writer: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee / Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
10
Jesus Gonna Make It Alright
Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
03:13
Writer: Michael Franks / Composers: Michael Franks
01
Born To Live The Blues (Live)
Sonny Terry
Blues Six Pack
03:48
Writer: Brownie McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee
12
On The Road Again
Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
06:02
Writer: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry / Composers: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry

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  • Discography
Albums
Robbin' the Grave
(P) 2014 Fat Possum Records
01-01-2014
Robbin' the Grave
01
Feel Like Robbin' the Grave
Sonny Terry
Robbin' the Grave
03:31
Composers: Not Documented
02
Selling Out
Sonny Terry
Robbin' the Grave
02:27
Composers: Not Documented
03
Black Night Road
Sonny Terry
Robbin' the Grave
04:53
Composers: Not Documented
04
That Train and My Woman
Sonny Terry
Robbin' the Grave
02:48
Composers: Not Documented
05
Playing with the Thing
Sonny Terry
Robbin' the Grave
02:35
Composers: Not Documented
06
Cut off from My Baby
Sonny Terry
Robbin' the Grave
03:13
Composers: Not Documented
07
Mean Old Woman
Sonny Terry
Robbin' the Grave
03:07
Composers: Not Documented
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Backwater Blues
℗ 1999 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1999
Backwater Blues
01
Climbin' On Top Of The Hill (live at Sugar Hill)
Sonny Terry
Backwater Blues
02:58
Writer: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee / Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
02
Louise (live at Sugar Hill)
Sonny Terry
Backwater Blues
04:12
Writer: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee / Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
03
My Father's Words (live at Sugar Hill)
Sonny Terry
Backwater Blues
04:20
Writer: Brownie McGhee - Ruth McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee - Ruth McGhee
04
Backwater Blues (live at Sugar Hill)
Sonny Terry
Backwater Blues
04:27
Writer: Bessie Smith / Composers: Bessie Smith
05
Wine Headed Woman (live at Sugar Hill)
Sonny Terry
Backwater Blues
05:50
Writer: Sonny Terry / Composers: Sonny Terry
06
Careless Love (live at Sugar Hill)
Sonny Terry
Backwater Blues
04:11
Writer: W.C. Handy / Composers: W.C. Handy - Spencer Williams - Martha Koenig - William Christopher Handy
07
Playing With The Blues (live at Sugar Hill)
Sonny Terry
Backwater Blues
04:23
Writer: Brownie McGhee - Ruth McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee - Ruth McGhee
Access the complete album info (18 songs)
At The 2nd Fret
℗ 1993 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1993
At The 2nd Fret
01
Evil Hearted Me (Live)
Sonny Terry
At The 2nd Fret
05:07
Composers: Brownie McGhee
02
Sick Man (Live)
Sonny Terry
At The 2nd Fret
04:36
Writer: Sonny Terry / Composers: Sonny Terry
03
Barking Bulldog (Live)
Sonny Terry
At The 2nd Fret
03:27
Writer: Brownie McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee
04
Spread The News Around (Live)
Sonny Terry
At The 2nd Fret
03:25
Writer: Sonny Terry / Composers: Sonny Terry
05
Backwater Blues (Live)
Sonny Terry
At The 2nd Fret
06:23
Writer: Bessie Smith / Composers: Bessie Smith
06
Custard Pie Blues (Live)
Sonny Terry
At The 2nd Fret
03:49
Writer: Sonny Terry / Composers: Sonny Terry
07
Wholesale Dealin' Papa (Live)
Brownie McGhee
At The 2nd Fret
03:13
Writer: Brownie McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
At Sugar Hill
℗ 1991 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1991
At Sugar Hill
01
Hooray, Hooray, This Woman Is Killing Me (Live)
Sonny Terry
At Sugar Hill
02:22
Composers: Sonny Terry
02
Born To Live The Blues (Live)
Sonny Terry
At Sugar Hill
03:48
Composers: Brownie McGhee
03
Just About Crazy (Live)
Sonny Terry
At Sugar Hill
03:00
Composers: Sonny Terry
04
Up, Sometimes Down (Live)
Sonny Terry
At Sugar Hill
04:00
Composers: Brownie McGhee
05
Baby, I Knocked On Your Door (Live)
Sonny Terry
At Sugar Hill
03:56
Composers: Sonny Terry
06
Keep On Walking (Live)
Sonny Terry
At Sugar Hill
04:35
Composers: Brownie McGhee
07
Baby, I Got My Eye On You (Live)
Sonny Terry
At Sugar Hill
03:33
Composers: Sonny Terry
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
℗ 1991 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1991
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
01
Just A Closer Walk With Thee (Live)
Sonny Terry
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
03:57
Composers: Traditional
02
Children Go Where I Send Thee (Live)
Sonny Terry
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
02:31
Composers: Traditional
03
What A Beautiful City (Live)
Sonny Terry
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
03:38
Composers: Traditional
04
Glory Glory (Live)
Sonny Terry
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
03:33
Composers: Traditional
05
If I Could Hear My Mother Pray (Live)
Sonny Terry
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
04:22
Composers: Traditional
06
I'm Going To Shout (Live)
Sonny Terry
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
02:01
Composers: Traditional
07
I Shall Not Be Moved (Live)
Sonny Terry
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
02:43
Composers: Traditional
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Back To New Orleans
℗ 1989 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1989
Back To New Orleans
01
Let Me Be Your Big Dog (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Back To New Orleans
03:17
Composers: Brownie McGhee
02
Pawn Shop (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Back To New Orleans
03:29
Composers: Brownie McGhee
03
You Don't Know (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Back To New Orleans
02:51
Composers: Brownie McGhee
04
Betty And Dupree's Blues (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Back To New Orleans
06:17
Composers: Brownie McGhee
05
Back To New Orleans (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Back To New Orleans
03:01
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
06
Stranger Here (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Back To New Orleans
03:37
Composers: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry
07
Fox Hunt (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Back To New Orleans
02:32
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
Access the complete album info (21 songs)
California Blues
This Compilation ℗ 1981 Fantasy Records Inc.
01-01-1981
California Blues
01
I Got Fooled (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
California Blues
02:39
Writer: Brownie McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee
02
No Need Of Running (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
California Blues
02:42
Writer: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee / Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
03
I Feel So Good (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
California Blues
02:10
Writer: Brownie McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee
04
Thinkin' And Worrying (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
California Blues
03:49
Writer: Brownie McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee
05
I Love You Baby
Sonny Terry
California Blues
02:13
Writer: Sonny Terry / Composers: Sonny Terry
06
California Blues (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
California Blues
02:44
Writer: Sonny Terry / Composers: Sonny Terry
07
Walkin' And Lyin' Down (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
California Blues
03:41
Writer: Brownie McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee
Access the complete album info (26 songs)
Midnight Special
℗ 1977 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1977
Midnight Special
01
Sonny's Squall
Sonny Terry
Midnight Special
03:46
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
02
Red River Blues (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Midnight Special
03:22
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
03
Gone Gal (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Midnight Special
03:31
Composers: Brownie McGhee
04
Blues Before Sunrise
Sonny Terry
Midnight Special
04:32
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
05
Sweet Lovin' Kind (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Midnight Special
03:13
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
06
Midnight Special
Sonny Terry
Midnight Special
04:07
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
07
Take This Hammer Whup (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Midnight Special
02:54
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Sonny's Story
℗ 1990 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1967
Sonny's Story
01
I Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog No More (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny's Story
03:44
Composers: Sonny Terry
02
My Baby Done Gone (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny's Story
03:24
Composers: Sonny Terry
03
Worried Blues (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny's Story
03:55
Composers: J. Harris
04
High Powered Woman
Sonny Terry
Sonny's Story
02:59
Composers: Sonny Terry
05
Pepperheaded Woman (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny's Story
04:06
Composers: Sonny Terry
06
Sonny's Story (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny's Story
03:26
Composers: Sonny Terry
07
I'm Gonna Get On My Feets Afterwhile (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny's Story
04:04
Composers: Sonny Terry
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Sonny Is King
℗ 1990 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1963
Sonny Is King
01
One Monkey Don't Stop The Show
Sonny Terry
Sonny Is King
03:12
Composers: Sonny Terry
02
Changed The Lock On My Door (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Is King
03:39
Composers: Sonny Terry
03
Tater Pie
Sonny Terry
Sonny Is King
02:39
Composers: Sonny Terry
04
She's So Sweet (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Is King
02:49
Composers: Sonny Terry
05
Diggin' My Potatoes (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Is King
03:43
Composers: Sonny Terry
06
Sonny's Coming
Sonny Terry
Sonny Is King
02:58
Composers: Sonny Terry
07
Ida Mae (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Is King
03:21
Composers: Sonny Terry
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Last Night Blues
℗ 1992 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1961
Last Night Blues
01
Rocky Mountain
Lightnin' Hopkins
Last Night Blues
04:55
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
02
Got To Move Your Baby (Album Version)
Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
Last Night Blues
04:05
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
03
So Sorry To Leave You
Lightnin' Hopkins
Last Night Blues
04:18
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
04
Take A Trip With Me
Lightnin' Hopkins
Last Night Blues
05:03
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
05
Last Night Blues (Album Version)
Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
Last Night Blues
05:19
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
06
Lightnin's Stroke
Lightnin' Hopkins
Last Night Blues
04:53
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
07
Hard To Love A Woman
Lightnin' Hopkins
Last Night Blues
03:59
Writer: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins / Composers: Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
Folk Songs Of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
℗ 1959 Rhino Entertainment, a Warner Music Group Company
01-01-1959
Folk Songs Of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
01
I Love You Baby
Sonny Terry
Folk Songs Of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
02:00
Writer: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry
02
Corn Bread, Peas and Black Molasses
Sonny Terry
Folk Songs Of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
02:30
Writer: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry
03
That's How I Feel
Sonny Terry
Folk Songs Of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
03:54
Writer: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry
04
You'd Better Mind
Sonny Terry
Folk Songs Of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
02:09
Writer: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry
05
Treated Wrong
Sonny Terry
Folk Songs Of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
03:26
Writer: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry
06
Brownie's Blues
Sonny Terry
Folk Songs Of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
05:27
Writer: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry
07
Southern Train
Sonny Terry
Folk Songs Of Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
02:43
Writer: Brownie McGhee - Sonny Terry
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Sonny Terry And His Mouth-Harp
℗ 1999 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1958
Sonny Terry And His Mouth-Harp
01
In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down) (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Terry And His Mouth-Harp
02:36
Composers: Leroy Carr - Don Raye
02
Move To Kansas City (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Terry And His Mouth-Harp
02:35
Composers: Jim Jackson
03
John Henry (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Terry And His Mouth-Harp
03:15
Composers: Traditional
04
The Fox Chase (AKA Hound Dog Holler) (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Terry And His Mouth-Harp
02:25
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
05
Louise (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Terry And His Mouth-Harp
02:55
Composers: Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee
06
Red River (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Terry And His Mouth-Harp
02:30
Composers: Traditional
07
Goodbye Leaderbelly (Album Version)
Sonny Terry
Sonny Terry And His Mouth-Harp
03:06
Composers: Unknown
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
Featured in
Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
(P) 2015 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
17-02-2015
Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
01
Irene (Goodnight Irene)
Lead Belly
Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
01:52
Composers: John A. Lomax - Huddie Ledbetter
02
The Bourgeois Blues
Lead Belly
Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
02:18
Composers: Alan Lomax - Huddie Ledbetter
03
Fannin Street (Mister Tom Hughes Town)
Lead Belly
Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
03:30
Composers: Alan Lomax - John A. Lomax - Huddie Ledbetter
04
The Midnight Special
Lead Belly
Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
02:03
Composers: Unspecified - Alan Lomax - John A. Lomax - Huddie Ledbetter
05
John Henry
Lead Belly
Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
03:09
Composers: Traditional - Huddie Ledbetter
06
Black Girl (Where Did You Sleep Last Night)
Lead Belly
Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
02:06
Composers: Traditional - Huddie Ledbetter
07
Pick a Bale of Cotton
Lead Belly
Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
01:33
Composers: John Lomax - Alan Lomax - Huddie Ledbetter
Access the complete album info (121 songs)
Memories of My Trip
℗ 2011 Chris Barber
14-02-2000
Memories of My Trip
01
Memories of My Trip
Chris Barber
Memories of My Trip
02:55
Writer: Brownie McGhee / Composers: Brownie McGhee
02
When Things Go Wrong
Chris Barber
Memories of My Trip
02:44
Writer: Hudson Whittaker / Composers: Hudson Whittaker
03
Do Lord, Do Remember
Chris Barber
Memories of My Trip
02:27
Writer: Traditional / Composers: Traditional
04
Weeping Willow
Chris Barber
Memories of My Trip
03:55
Writer: Jerry Fuller / Composers: Jerry Fuller
05
Kansas City
Chris Barber
Memories of My Trip
07:02
Writer: Jimmy Witherspoon / Composers: Jimmy Witherspoon
06
Love Me or Leave Me
Chris Barber
Memories of My Trip
04:00
Writer: Jimmy Cotton / Composers: Jimmy Cotton
07
Can't Be Satisfied
Chris Barber
Memories of My Trip
04:42
Writer: McKinley Morganfield / Composers: McKinley Morganfield
Access the complete album info (31 songs)