One of a number of cautionary warnings recorded by the suspicious and distrustful Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), “Don’t Start Me Talkin’” was his biggest hit on the Billboard R&B charts. Sonny Boy had been recording for Trumpet Records in Mississippi, but when Trumpet sold his contract to a pressing plant owner to settle a debt, the record presser (Buster Williams) in turn sold it to Chess Records in Chicago. The pairing was a good match, as Sonny Boy came up with strong material throughout his association with the Chess/Checker combine, showing his prowess as a singer, lyricist, and harmonica maestro. This jaunty single, from his first Chicago session, found him in the good company of Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Jody Williams, Willie Dixon, and Fred Below.
Sonny Boy Williamson, vocal and harmonica; Muddy Waters and Jody Williams, guitar; Otis Spann, piano; Willie Dixon, bass; Fred Below; drums. Recorded Aug. 12, 1955, Chicago. Released as Checker 824 (45 and 78 rpm) in 1955.