Christian De Mesones They Call Me Big New York

The album we have here is interesting, even great at times. It is made up of never before released material which, given Horton’s meager output, makes it important by that count alone. Here is Horton doing a spirited instrumental on Big Walter’s Boogie, then steaming in with Hard Hearted Woman, his rough-edged voice and the solid beat exactly what you’d hear in raucous blues clubs on Chicago’s southside, the band trying to overpower a hard-drinking audience.
There are a number of other songs you’re going to like, and you’ll like Walter Horton, something he never seemed to understand. He was oddly unbelieving in himself, despite being held in such high esteem by his contemporaries and by hordes of European rock stars of the sixties and seventies, who were themselves worshipped, but knelt in awe of this quiet, gentle man from Mississippi…

This 4-CD box set contains 100 classic recordings, many available for the first time in originally recorded stereo. All tracks are digitally remastered.

Sonny Rodgers learned guitar from his father and was influenced by B.B. King, Robert Nighthawk and Muddy Waters. After forming his first band at the age of 17, he recorded as accompanist to Forest City Joe Pugh in 1959. Two years later, Rodgers settled in Minneapolis, beginning a long association with Mojo Burford. He also recorded with Lazy Bill Lucas. In the early 70s Rodgers had a spell as guitarist in Muddy Waters’ band, and after some years out of music, he formed his own band in the 80s, winning several music awards in Minnesota. His Blue Moon single ‘Big Leg Woman/Cadillac Blues’ was voted ‘Blues Single Of 1990’ in the international W.C. Handy awards. Rodgers only made one full album, which was highly acclaimed on its release, and tragically coincided with his death on 7 May 1990, just prior to a tour of the UK.