John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson’s first record, “Good Morning, School Girl” (with “Sugar Mama Blues” on the flip side) was also his best remembered and most influential release. Williamson brought the lowly harmonica (never previously regarded as a serious instrument by many) to such prominence in blues that, according to some in Chicago, the local musicians’ union finally started requiring harp players to join. This record – usually called “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” — would be an important influence in Chicago blues, but it was a product of Sonny Boy’s west Tennessee roots and his pre-Chicago ensemble work in St. Louis. The melody for his engaging romantic greeting was one he’d heard back home; Son Bonds had used it in “Back and Side Blues” in 1934, and Sleepy John Estes reworked it in “Airplane Blues” shortly after Sonny Boy, in 1937. Williamson was based in St. Louis in 1937, as were Big Joe Williams and Robert Nighthawk, who both came with him to Aurora, Illinois, to play guitar on the session for Bluebird on May 5, 1937.
Released on Bluebird B7059 (78rpm) in 1937.