Life span: Born Dec. 5, 1899, Glendora MS; Died May 25, 1965, Helena, AR.

Style synopsis: Although he borrowed both his performing name and the basis of his style from John Lee Williamson, Miller was the most individual and creative of the Chicago blues harp players. He was the only one who defined a style all his own, separate from the highly electrified style of Little Walter, James Cotton, and the rest. And, having given us classics like "One Way Out," "Help Me," "Fattening Frogs for Snakes," and more, he was one of the blues' greatest songwriters. He often played unamplified, with his cupped hands playing a vital role in his choked, sobbing harp style. Smooth rhythms punctuated by sharp, simple melodic lines were his hallmark, and he never played two notes where one, or none, would do. His unaccompanied work is probably the best solo harp ever recorded thanks to a literally perfect sense of time. He started recording late in life, after acheiving fame as the host of the King Biscuit radio show in Helena, AR. In his forties, he recorded series of sides for Lillian McMurtry's Trumpet label that included classics like "Pontiac Blues" and "Mighty Long Time." He then moved to Chicago, and Chess, recording a series of records that marked some of the high points of Chicago blues harmonica, Though he had some puzzling habits beyond his theft of a great man's name, including a passion for bowler hats, English suits, and recording terrible albums with English kids who thought they could play blues, he was probably the most individual and creative player of the blues harmonica.

Representative Recordings: King Biscuit Time, Arhoolie 310, collects most of his best Trumpet sides, and (only on CD) includes a complete King Biscuit Time radio show. None of his Chess albums are bad, but More Real Folk Blues is a good starter, including three essential songs -- "Help Me," "Bye Bye Bird," and "Nine Below Zero," and nothing bad. And Keep It To Yourself, a recent Alligator reissue (4787), includes some unbelievable work, either unaccompanied or with just Memphis Slim and/or Matt Murphy accompanying. Avoid at all costs his work with various English rock bands in the early sixties (the Yardbirds, the Animals, etc.).

Contributor: Ken Ficara (ficara@acm.org)

Contributor's Comments: "Don't start me to talking, I might tell everything I know." Sonny Boy Williamson II

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