Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee - 'Sonny & Brownie'

In 1939, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee started a partnership that would last for forty years, probably longer than any working blues or folk duo or group.  The style of blues that Sonny and Brownie play is called "Piedmont Blues"; a term coined by American folklorist, writer, record producer, and ethnomusicologist, Peter B. Lowry.

Sonny and Brownie's sound has been called the perfect blues duo, characterized by Brownie's clean, tasteful guitar work, and vocals, along with Sonny's distinctive harmonica and vocal "whoops".

The duo, surfed different trends, becoming stars of the 60s blues revival and also transcended the blues genre by including American folk songs and ballads in their repertoire.

In 1982 Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee were named National Heritage Fellows in recognition of their distinctive musical contributions and accomplishments.

On the surface of things, they appeared to be the closest of friends, but in truth, they couldn't stand the sight of each other. (Or rather, each other's presence, as Sonny Terry injured his eyes as a child, and was blind by the age of 16.)

'Sonny & Brownie' was recorded at Paramount Recording Studios in 1973, and released the same year.  The album was co-produced by Hal Winn and Mo Rodgers.

Along with Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, is an all-star backing band, that includes John Mayall, Arlo Guthrie, John Hammond Sugarcane Harris, Michael Franks, Clydie King, Jackie Ward, Venetta Fields, and others.   

The material performed is some original Sonny and Brownie songs, and covers written by Sam Cooke ("Bring It On Home To Me"), Curtis Mayfield ("People Get Ready") and Randy Newman (finally, a cover of "Sail Away" that gets it right).  While this may not be a "pure blues" album, it is a helluva lot of fun.

The freeload, is the 1995 Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab reissue from their Ultradisc II series, and it sounds pretty great.

For the freeload tells us who some of your favorite duos, musical or otherwise, are.