Release Date: May 15, 1993.
Recording Time: 73 minutes.
Recording Date: January 26, 1940 - December 17, 1940.
Release Info: Compilation Studio (DOCD-5132) Recording.
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Acoustic Chicago Blues, Country Blues, Regional Blues.
The tenth of 11 Document CDs covering all of Big Bill Broonzy's prewar sessions as a leader has three dates (resulting in 14 songs) in which Broonzy is joined by the reliable pianist Joshua Altheimer and either drummer Fred Williams or Washboard Sam on washboard. Altheimer died unexpectedly later that summer; the other two sets included on this CD have either Blind John Davis or Memphis Slim in Altheimer's place, and the trio is rounded off by either drummer Williams or bassist Ransom Knowling. Although Big Bill did not evolve much during 1940, he was near the peak of his popularity and very much in prime form. Among the high points of the 26 selections (including three previously unreleased alternate takes) in this collection are "Jivin' Mr. Fuller Blues," "Leap Year Blues," "What Is That She Got," "Lonesome Road Blues" and "I'll Never Dream Again." Recommended to Broonzy's many fans. ~ Scott Yanow
Credits: Joshua Altheimer - piano; Keith Briggs - liner notes; Big Bill Broonzy - composer, guitar, primary artist, vocals; Blind John Davis - piano; Ransom Knowling - bass; Lester Melrose - composer; Memphis Slim - piano; Johnny Parth - compilation producer, producer; Washboard Sam - washboard; Charles Waterford - composer; Fred Williams - drums.
Abridged from this album's original booklet noes. Big Bill Broonzy recalled that his piano playing partner Josh Altheimer died on February 18th 1940, an assertion disputed by sessions files that record his presence on 17th April and 10th June of that year. However, by September Blind John Davis was back at the keyboard and it was around that time that Bill began to work with Peter Chatman, better known today as "Memphis Slim", a name Bill claimed to have bestowed himself. He was still sticking to his basic sound and all the sides cut under his own name in 1940 featured only his own guitar, a piano and either Fred Williams' thudding drumming or contributions from Ransom Knowling on bass or Washboard Sam's sud-busting. Most interesting is his reply to the Carolina singer Blind Boy Fuller's Jivin' Big Bill Blues of July 1939 (to be heard on DOCD 5095), Jivin' Mr. Fuller Blues. Big Bill Broonzy never seemed to run out of ideas for his songs. Not only was he keeping himself supplied he was producing material for other artists. On the 17th April date he put forward the theory that as it was Leap Year "the women got to take care of the men (I gotta get even somehow)". She would pay the bills and he would wear the 'nation sack tied round his waist. The answer to the question What Is That She Got? would appear to be an eye affliction as the Annie referred to seems to spend most of her life winking at judges and cops. Washboard Sam brightened up the last session on which Bill and Josh worked together. His vigorous scrubbing seemed to spark off a reaction in the piano player and titles like Lone Wolf Blues and Midnight Steppers have a zip to them that was sometimes missing from Big Bill's more elaborate productions involving clarinets and saxophones. So, at the end of 1940 Big Bill Broonzy was still on top, searching around for a replacement for Josh Altheimer and working the clubs and the house rents with people like Sonny Boy Williamson, Memphis Slim and Memphis Minnie. ~ Keith Briggs, 1993 Document Records.
Tracklist:
01. Plow Hand Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
02. Jivin' Mr. Fuller Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
03. Make My Get Away - Big Bill Broonzy
04. Looking For My Baby - Big Bill Broonzy
05. I've Got To Dig You - Big Bill Broonzy
06. Leap Year Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
07. When I had Money - Big Bill Broonzy
08. You Got To Hit The Right Lick - Big Bill Broonzy
09. What Is That She Got? - Big Bill Broonzy
10. Merry Go Round Blues - 3039 - Big Bill Broonzy
11. Medicine Man Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
12. Looking Up At Down - Big Bill Broonzy
13. Midnight Steppers - Big Bill Broonzy
14. Lone Wolf Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
15. Hit The Right Lick - Big Bill Broonzy
16. You Better Cut That Out - Big Bill Broonzy
17. I Wonder What's Wrong With Me (What's Wrong With Me) - Big Bill Broonzy
18. Bed Time Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
19. Merry Go Round Blues - 3309 - Big Bill Broonzy
20. Serenade Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
21. Lonesome Road Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
22. Getting Older Every Day, Take 1 - Big Bill Broonzy
23. Getting Older Every Day, Take 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
24. That Number Of Mine - Big Bill Broonzy
25. My Gal Is Gone - Big Bill Broonzy
26. I'll Never Dream Again - Big Bill Broonzy
Personnel: Big Bill Broonzy - vocals, guitar; Joshua Altheimer - piano; Fred Williams - drums. Big Bill Broonzy - vocals, guitar; Joshua Altheimer - piano; Washboard Sam - washboard. Bill Broonzy - vocals, guitar; Blind John Davis - piano; Fred Williams - drums. Big Bill Broonzy - vocals, guitar; Memphis Slim - piano; Ransom Knowling - stand-up bass.