Willie Littlefield, Jr was born 16th September, 1931 in El Campo, Texas., growing up in Houston with his mother. Playing from an early age, he was performing in the local clubs by the age of sixteen and already recording for a local producer. He was influenced very much by Albert Ammons, with one of his favourites being ‘Swanee River Boogie’ (which is strangely one of my least favourites), which he later recorded for Eddies Records. He was also influenced by Amos Milburn and Fats Domino, incorporating a triplet style into his playing.
His song ‘Little Willie’s Boogie’ was a hit in 1949 and brought him to the attention of ‘Modern Records in Los Angeles. From there he recorded ‘It’s Midnight’ which was a hit, reaching number three on the R&B chart, which in turn led to quite a number of successful recordings, although he did move labels several times. Moving to northern California in 1957, he continued to record and play in the local clubs and later toured Europe successfully in the 1970’s, which resulted in him moving to the Netherlands and settling there.
Having toured and performed for fifty years, Little Willie Littlefield took a break in 2000. and stopped playing for five years. Fortunately for us, he said that he got ‘bored’ and wanted to go back to playing, which included the 20th Burnley Blues Festival in 2008 and the 5th U.K Boogie Woogie Festival in Sturminster Newton, Dorset in 2009 (sadly I was not at either, which is a shame, it would have been great to have seen him perform).
Little Willie Littlefield passed away at his home in Voorthuizen, Netherlands in 2013 because of cancer, he was eighty one years old.
| Little Willie Littlefield – Paris Streetlights | 1980 |
| Paris Streetlights I Got The Blues Over You Cours De Vincennes (Part 1, Part 2) Sometimes Messin’ Around Town | Dirty My Baby’s Back In Town (And I Won’t Be Lonely Now) Paris Little Willie’s Reggae So Long |
| Little Willie Littlefield – Houseparty | 1982 |
| Beggin Houseparty Honky Tonk Train Blues Just Relax Chief Boogie Woogie Raining Swanee River Boogie | Farmsound Boogie San Antonio Rose Holland Boogie Wiggle Walking Through The Streets There’s Good Rocking Tonight After Hours Willie Rolls The Boogie |
| Little Willie Littlefield – I’m In The Mood | 1983 |
| Then I Wonder Ain’t A Better Story To Be Told Jump The Boogie Riffin’ Along See See Rider Found My Baby Little Willie’s Boogie | One More Drink Rollin’ The Basses A Little Cure The Breeze Jive At Five Boogie Woogie Playgirl |
| Little Willie Littlefield – Happy Pay Day | 1985 |
| Happy Pay Day I Love You Because Willie’s Boogie A Friend In Need There Is Water In My Ears Chinatown Boogie | Since I Met You Baby Fortune Cookie Spanish Harlem Easy Hey Good Lookin’ Blues For Moody |
| Little Willie Littlefield – Plays The Boogie Woogie | 1987 |
| Free Fun Boogie Johnson Rag Ruby, Ruby 12th Street Rag One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer One O’clock Jump Chicken Shack Boogie | Cow Cow Boogie Undecided Boogie Roomin’ House Boogie St. Louis Blues Bobby McGhee Shake, Rattle, And Roll Cajun Queen |
| Little Willie Littlefield – Singalong With Little Willie Littlefield | 1990 |
| Love Letters In The Sand Sentimental Journey On The Sunny Side Of The Street Frankie And Johnny Don’t Fence Me In Misty Pretty Brown Eyes What A Wonderful World Houston | Looking Back Bad Bad Leroy Brown Mona Lisa Take These Chains From My Heart Moon Over Napels – Spanish Eyes When I Fall In Love Brahm’s Lullaby Tennessee Waltz Blueberry Hill |
| Little Willie Littlefield – Goes Rhythm ‘n Blues | 1992 |
| Bad Bad Whiskey Going Down Slow Walk Right In Waltz Away Boogie Trembling Adam Come And Get Your Bone Prisoner For Tonight 12th Street And Vine | When I Lost My Baby My Luck Is Bound To Change Toe Tapping Boogie Bad Luck Hold Me Baby As Time Goes By Blue And Lonesome It Took A Long Time, Baby |
| Little Willie Littlefield – The Stars Of Rhythm’n Blues | 1993 |
| Chicago Breakdown Come On Baby Water In My Ears I Want A Little Girl C-Jam Blues Everyday I Have The Blues | Wake Up Old Maid Route 66 Just Boogie The Great Pretender Christmas Blues Shake, Rattle, And Roll |
| Little Willie Littlefield – Yellow Boogie & Blues | 1994 |
| Everyday I Have the Blues New Orleans Blues Goodmorning Judge The Last Date Do You Want to Boogie Georgia on My Mind Rancho Grande Lowdown Shame Me and My Bobby McGee Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie | Stormy Monday Blues Rocking Chair Boogie Chief and Job Blues Rockin’ the Blues Gonna Tell My Mama Lucky Old Sun Trembling Wampie Blues Those Kansas City Nights |
| Little Willie Littlefield – The Red One | 1997 |
| Here We Go Again Willie’s Boogie Woogie Blues I Wonder Sea Cruise The Red One Drifting Blues Get Your Kicks On Route 66 Boogie Woogie Jam Blues At Sunrise Caldonia | Wooden Heart Boogie Rhumba Blues Tribute To The Count Piano Roll Blues Down By The Riverside Little Willie’s Boogie Thunder And Rumble Call Him Mr. Blues Chief’s 40 Years Anniversary “Oldie’Blues” Boogie |
| Little Willie Littlefield – Old Time Feeling | 2008 |
| Old Time Feeling Roomin´ House Boogie One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer New Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie Cheerful Baby Bad Bad Whiskey I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love With You) | Blue and Lonesome Driftin’ Blues Jammin’ On ’Soft Winds’ Happy Payday The Rising Sea Driftin’ Blues I’m Gonna Tell My Mama |