Billy Boy ARNOLD - Ten Million Dollars 1984

Billy Boy ARNOLD - Ten Million Dollars 1984

Blues

Recording opportunities were scarce for Arnold stateside in 1984. But over in France, Black & Blue welcomed the harpist into their studios to cut this set, backed by guitarist Jimmy Johnson's professional outfit. Only a handful of originals here; the set is predominated by hoary standards such as "My Babe," "Just a Little Bit," "Last Night," and "I Done Got Over It" (but at least they're played with a bit more panache than usual).
By Bill Dahl, All Music Guide.
**
Billy Boy Arnold- (Harmonica, Vocals);
James Bryant- (Piano);
Larry Exum- (Bass);
Fred Grady- (Drums);
Jimmy Johnson- (Guitar);
John Watkins- (Guitar).
**
01. Ten Million Dollars 7:16
02. I Wish You Would 3:10
03. Trust My Baby 6:35
04. My Babe 3:12
05. Just a Little Bit 3:42
06. Going Home 3:49
07. Yellow Roses from Texas (Just Love Won't Do) 4:14
08. Last Night 7:09
09. I Done Got over It 4:11
10. Sugar Mama 4:17
**
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Billy Boy ARNOLD - Boogie 'N' Shuffle 1999

Billy Boy ARNOLD - Boogie 'N' Shuffle 1999

Blues

When I write reviews on some of the lesser known greats such as Mojo Buford, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and Billy Boy Arnold, I feel like I am shouting from a deserted island far from ear shot. That feeling is reinforced when I see a sales rank of 223,648. Oh well, here goes.
Billy Boys new release is produced by Duke Robillard and Robillard and his band perform all of the back up music for the CD. The CD is a good combination of originals, some new some old, as well as a sprinkling of lesser known cover tunes from Ray Charles, "BlackJack" and "Greenback", Jimmy McCrackin, "Just Got To Know" and "Every Night Every Day", and T-Bone Walker.
As you might expect, Robillards band is in top form. The CD has everything from a little swing "Lets Work It out" to soulful blues "Just Got To Know" to a little boogie "Boogie and Shuffle".
The CD won't appeal much to fans of Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Stevie Ray Vaughan or any of the other blues/rock greats and that's a shame because this is the very music that got those greats interested in the blues. On the other hand, if you like Jimmy Rogers, Muddy Waters, James Cotton, the Wolf or any of the three Kings, this CD should be in your collection.
By Deepbluereview.
**
Arnold has moved from Alligator to Canada for this new release. An important figure from the early Chicago blues scene, the 'Gator crowd released a couple of powerful recordings, with some strong performers behind him. Stony Plain have another ace up there sleeve, and have the Duke Robillard band backing Arnold.
With Duke's talents as an arranger and his chameleon-like ability to find the right sound to fit with whoever he is supporting (he's done Jimmy Witherspoon and Wes Montgomery, for example!), this album was a sure fire winner.
If you haven't found Billy Boy Arnold yet, I suggest you do. He is a great song writer, good singer and harp player. He blows harp how it used to be, in support of the vocal, doesn't overdo the soloing and adds just the right amount of colour.
This recording features some new material, such as "Bad Luck Blues" and covers, at least one of which, "Just Got To Know", Arnold has recorded before.
These recordings are a good showcase for Arnold's vocal ability and his song writing skills.
**
Billy Boy Arnold- (Vocals, Harmonica);
Duke Robillard- (Guitar);
Matt McCabe- (Piano);
Doug James- (Baritone Saxophone);
Gordon Beadle- (Saxophone);
John Packer- (Bass);
Jeffery McCallister- (Drums).
**
01. Bad Luck Blues  3.19
02. Let's Work It Out  3.07
03. Just Got to Know  5.07
04. Greenville   4.36
05. Hello Stranger  2.50
06. Home in Your Heart  2.29
07. Blackjack  5.34
08. Boogie & Shuffle  6.20
09. Every Night, Every Day  3.47
10. Come Here Baby  3.46
11. Just Your Fool  3.57
12. Greenback  5.43
13. Interview  15.28
**
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Billy Boy ARNOLD - Goin' To Chicago 1966

Billy Boy ARNOLD - Goin' To Chicago 1966

Blues

Uneven but intriguing 1966 collection, most of it previously unreleased. The first half-dozen sides are the best, full of ringing West Side-styled guitar licks by Mighty Joe Young and Jody Williams and Arnold's insinuating vocals (he rocks "Baby Jane" with a Chuck Berry-inspired fury). An odd drumless trio backs Arnold on the next seven selections, which get a little sloppy at times but retain period interest nonetheless.
By Bill Dahl, All Music Guide.
**
Billy Boy Arnold- Harmonica,Vocals
Jody Williams- Guitar
Jerome Arnold- Bass
Clifton James- Drums
Mighty Joe Young- Guitar
Johnny Turner- Guitar
Mickey Boss-  Tenor Sax
Robert Sinclair Wilson- Bass
**
01.Left My Happy Home (2:34)
02.Billy Boy's Jump (2:31)
03.Cryin' and Pleadin' (2:34)
04.Left My Happy Home [Alternate Take] (2:34)
05.Baby Jane (2:43)
06.Rock & Roll (2:33)
07.Baby Left Me With a Mule to Ride (3:40)
08.Hello Baby (1:57)
09.I Love Only You (2:39)
10.Evalina (2:10)
11.Come See Me Early in the Morning [Take 1] (2:50)
12.Why Is Everybody Down on Me (2:28)
13.Come See Me Early in the Morning [Take 2] (1:57)
14.Somebody Help Me With These Blues [Live] (7:26)
**
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Billy Boy ARNOLD - Consolidated Mojo 2005

Billy Boy ARNOLD - Consolidated Mojo 2005

Blues

Recorded in San Francisco in 1992 with producer/harpist Mark Hummel's band of the time, but not released until 2005 for reasons that are not explained in the liner notes, this is better than average traditional Chicago blues from one of the genre's creators. All 14 tracks were cut in a single eight-hour session with no time for overdubs at the end of one of Arnold's tours, which adds a more edgy but still professional tone to the album. Hummel's tight band included a young Rusty Zinn on guitar and noted blues pianist Tom Mahon, both of whom take their share of solos and push Arnold to some of his better late-period performances. The program runs through standard Chicago shuffles and tempos, with tough remakes of Billy Boy's own big hits such as "I Ain't Got You," "You Got Me Wrong," and the dependable "I Wish You Would" as icing on the cake. Hummel keeps the sound stripped down and his band doesn't hot dog the proceedings, while providing a solid and energized backup for Arnold's expressive vocals and sturdy harp. While the world probably doesn't need another version of his old friend Bo Diddley's "I'm a Man," this one adds extra verses most blues fans haven't heard. Arnold pays tribute to Little Walter by including a cover of Walter's arrangement of "Me and Piney Brown." He also brings a few tracks from his mentor, Sonny Boy Williamson I, with "Sonny Boy's Jump" and "I Hear My Name Ringing." Consider this a warm-up for the harp master's unexpectedly successful 1993 Alligator comeback, but it's a powerful session on its own that proves Arnold hadn't lost a step since his '60s heyday.
By Hal Horowitz, All Music Guide.
**
While Billy Boy Arnold did not receive the publicity and public acclaim of some of his contemporaries, I'd think long and hard before writing off this old fox. This veteran Chicago bluesman played a part in the birth of the unique Chicago blues sound of the 50s. British superstars, Eric Clapton, the Animal, David Bowie, the Yardbirds and more covered his songs. He also influenced countless up and coming young blues stars.
  Recorded in 1992 and produced by West Coast harmonica master Mark Hummel, Consolidated Mojo shows Arnold as still a force to be reckoned with. Backed by Hummel's touring band, the Blues Survivors, Billy Boy delivers 14 dynamite tracks of pure, unadulterated Chicago Blues. The presence of the Blues Survivors is a definite plus, with Rusty Zinn on guitar, but Arnold is in great vocal form, and blows some real nice harp. If anything, Billy Boy Arnold may have gotten better with age. You'll find no fireworks here, but this piece is rock solid, easy on the ears and full of heart and soul. Guys like Arnold are a dying breed…long live the true Blues survivors! In short, Consolidated Mojo comes highly recommended. This is Chicago blues at its finest.
By Bill Wilson.
**
Billy Boy Arnold-  Vocal
Rusty Zinn-  Guitar
Tom Mahon-  Piano
Mark Bohn-  Drums
**
01. I'm a Man 3:39
02. Me and Piney Brown 3:29
03. Here's My Picture 2:35
04. Sonny Boy's Jump 2:33
05. I Ain't Got You 3:00
06. If You Would Just Let Me Love You 3:17
07. I Hear My Name Ringing 3:15
08. I Wish You Would 3:51
09. She Fooled Me 3:58
10. You Got Me Wrong 5:32
11. My Heart Is Crying 4:09
12. Prisoner's Plea 3:33
13. Low Down Blues 5:31
14. Dirty Muther Fuyer 4:20
**
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Billy Boy ARNOLD - Dirty Mother F... 1977

Billy BOY ARNOLD - Dirty Mother F... 1977
Label: Music Avenue
Recorded at Pathway Studios,
London, England 1977

Blues

Born: September 16, 1935
Billy Boy Arnold firmly established himself as one of the foremost practitioners of classic Chicago blues. His wailing harmonica playing and soulful vocals are a perfect match for his streetwise songwriting. The combination of Delta-influenced blues with a more urban sophistication not only defines Arnold's sound, but was also a significant contribution in the early, formative days of rock and roll. His early work with Bo Diddley and his highly influential singles in the late 1950s, brought him some local attention, but he never received the recognition he rightly deserved.

There are many harmonica players to come out the Chicago blues scene. Many, like Little Walter, Big Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Jr. Wells and James Cotton, have made blues history. Billy Boy Arnold was also there during this great movement.

Born in Chicago in 1935, Arnold grew up in an environment teeming with blues legends from Muddy Waters to Howlin' Wolf. Actually upon hearing the records of John Lee Williamson, Arnold decided to pursue the harmonica and by age 17 he was performing with Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Minnie and the great Johnny Temple. It was also at the age of 17 that he recorded his first record. Chicago, in the early '50s, was a time when a blues band couldn't get work unless it featured a harmonica player. Arnold, who got his nickname “Billy Boy” from a record executive commenting on his youth, met Bo Diddley performing on a Chicago street corner in 1953 and soon teamed up with the great guitarist. Arnold's unique beat helped develop the Diddley sound and in 1955 they recorded a huge hit for Chess Records, “Bo Diddley” b/w “I'm A Man.”

Chess was quite taken with Arnold but a mis-communication forced Arnold to sign with Vee Jay, where he cut the hit record, “I Wish You Would.” Arnold was very popular at this time, and was a main feature in such clubs as Sylvio's, Ricky's, the 708 Club and Kid Riviera's. Arnold shared billings with such notables as Elmore James, Robert Nighthawk, Jr. Wells, and Howlin' Wolf. His Vee Jay release “I Wish You Would” was covered by the Yardbirds, who turned it into a hit in the 1960s.

His Vee Jay recordings have since been re-issued on CD and he has released over a dozen albums, among them acclaimed releases on Alligator Records as: “Back Where I Belong,” (’93) and “El Dorado Cadillac,” from ’95. In 2001 he released “Boogie 'n' Shuffle,” on Stony Plain. He did “Consolidated Mojo,” in 2005, “Dirty Mother,” (2007) and “Billy Boy Sings Sonny Boy,” in 2008, quite a busy man of lately.

Rolling Stone Magazine recently lauded the Chicago harp legend for his “meaty, undiminished attack.” Billy Boy Arnold is among the very last of the Chicago blues harmonica kings.

This long-buried treasure, ... Full Descriptionfeaturing a recording session from 1977 available on disc for the first time, reveals two like-minded hard-blues gods getting on like a house afire. Both Billy Boy Arnold and the backing unit here, Tony McPhee & the Groundhogs, were arguably as good as anybody at their instruments (Arnold on harmonica and McPhee on guitar), but were always eclipsed in popularity by bigger acts such as Sonny Boy Williamson for the former or Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix for the latter. A shame that success eluded both, as they can shred with the best of them, and DIRTY MOTHER represents one of the best meldings of Chicago and London electric blues. Arnold, McPhee, and the Hogs tear through 15 blues standards and Arnold originals with a rawness and energy that sounds more like 1964 than 1977. Very highly recommended for fans of hard electric blues.
**
Billy Boy Arnold- (Harmonica,Vocals);
Tony McPhee- (Guitar);
Alan Fish- (Bass Guitar);
Wilgar Campbell- (Drums).
**
01. Dirty Mother F...
02. Don't Stay Out All Night
03. 1-2-99
04. Riding the El
05. Just Got to Know
06. Christmas Time
07. Wish You Would
08. Ah' W' Baby
09. Sweet Miss Bea
10. Blue and Lonesome
11. Eldorado Cadillac
12. Mary Bernice
13. It's Great to Be Rich
14. Just a Dream
15. Catfish
**
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