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Shake Your Boogie

Big Joe Williams
Shake Your Boogie

One of the fiercest of the Mississippi blues singers, Big Joe Williams recorded this emotionally charged album for Arhoolie records in 1960. Williams accompanies his vocal lines on a 9-string guitar, using it to add percussive elements and a slapping bass effect. Singing autobiographical, traditional, and improvised blues tunes, Williams gives a forceful delivery steeped in the sound of the hot, humid delta country and of his life’s hardships. Many of the songs are infused with the emotional stress of a recent arrest, which he describes in “Greystone Blues.” Liner notes give a bio of the artist and detail the recording session.

Track Listing

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101
Sloppy Drunk Blues Big Joe Williams 02:48
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102
Yo Yo Blues Big Joe Williams 03:10
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103
President Roosevelt Big Joe Williams 03:53
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104
Forty Four Blues Big Joe Williams 03:10
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105
Greystone Blues Big Joe Williams 02:34
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106
I Want My Crown Big Joe Williams 02:25
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107
Mean Step Father Big Joe Williams 02:46
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108
Brother James Big Joe Williams 03:38
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109
Shake Your Boogie Big Joe Williams 02:21
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110
Vitamin A Blues Big Joe Williams 03:03
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111
She Left Me A Mule To Ride Big Joe Williams 02:35
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112
So Glad Big Joe Williams 04:17
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113
Louisiana Bound Big Joe Williams 02:44
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114
Killing Floor Blues Big Joe Williams 03:04
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115
Throw The Boogie Woogie Big Joe Williams 02:02
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116
Dirt Road Blues Big Joe Williams 02:18
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117
Montreal Blues Big Joe Williams 02:38
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118
Take Me Out Of The Bottom Big Joe Williams 02:28
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119
Thinking Of What They Did To Me Big Joe Williams 02:47
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120
The Death Of Dr. Martin Luther King Big Joe Williams 02:51
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121
Army Man In Vietnam Big Joe Williams 02:59
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122
Creole Queen Big Joe Williams 02:00
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123
Remember Way Back Big Joe Williams 02:32
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124
King Jesus Big Joe Williams 01:43