Big Bill Broonzy

2 LPs ON 1 CD

THE BLUES Plus BIG BILL’S BLUES

One of the most popular and important figures of the acoustic blues tradition, the legendary Big Bill Broonzy combined ragtime and hokum blues with elements of folk, country and urban sounds in his songs. His lyrics often touched on African-American dignity. With his earthy, rock-solid guitar playing, Broonzy created a style that foreshadowed the post-World War II Chicago sound, which was later defined by such artists as Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon.

This quintessential CD release includes two of Broonzy’s finest albums, both issued in 1958: The Blues, and Big Bill’s Blues. Highlights include such well-known numbers as “Key to the Highway,” “Trouble in Mind,” “See See Rider,” “Southbound Train,” and “Hey, Hey,” among others. Both masterpieces have been remastered and packaged together in this very special collector’s edition. Without a doubt, this is an indispensable set for any fan of acoustic blues.

PERSONNEL:

BIG BILL BROONZY, vocals, guitar and foot stomping, plus:

Tracks 1-8: Ransom Knowling (bass).
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, Illinois, November 8, 1951.

Tracks 9-12: Ransom Knowling (bass), Robert Call (piano), Judge Riley (drums),
Sax Mallar, William Casimir (saxophone).
Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, Illinois, November 9, 1951.

Tracks 13-22: Solo recordings.
Recorded at Phillips Studios, Baarn, Holland, February 1956.

INCLUDES 16-PAGE BOOKLET

TRACKS:

THE BLUES (EmArcy/Mercury MG-36137, 1958)
01 WALKIN’ THE LONESOME ROAD
02 MOPPER’S BLUES
03 GET BACK (aka BLACK, BROWN, AND WHITE)
04 HEY, HEY
05 WILLIE MAE
06 STUMP BLUES
07 I KNOW SHE WILL
08 HOLLERIN’ BLUES
09 LEAVIN’ DAY
10 SOUTHBOUND TRAIN
11 YOU CHANGED
12 TOMORROW

BIG BILL’S BLUES (Columbia WL-111, 1958)
13 BOSSIE WOMAN
14 TEXAS TORNADO
15 TELL ME WHAT KIND OF MAN JESUS IS
16 TROUBLE IN MIND
17 SEE SEE RIDER
18 WHEN I’VE BEEN DRINKIN’
19 MARTHA
20 SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT
21 KEY TO THE HIGHWAY
22 GOODBYE BABY BLUES

TOTAL TIME: 78:04