Release Date: November 5, 1996.
Series: Masters Of Jazz.
Recording Time: 70 minutes.
Recording Date: March 29, 1932 - October 18, 1934.
Release Info: Compilation (MJCD 109) Studio Recording.
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Acoustic Chicago Blues, Blues Revival, Country Blues, Pre-War Blues, Regional Blues.
Volume five in the Masters of Jazz anthology of Big Bill Broonzy's early works covers a time line from March 29, 1932 to October 18, 1934. The records he made during this period were issued on the Banner and Bluebird labels under the names Big Bill, Big Bill & His Jug Busters (tracks eight and nine) and the Memphis Nighthawks (tracks six and seven). The Jug Busters were fortunate to have Jimmy Bertrand plying the washboard in their presence; the Memphis Nighthawks were an unusually large group for Broonzy in those days, and included trombonist Roy Palmer, an unidentified violinist, and the great Buddy Burton on drums and washboard. (If you want to hear more out of Buddy Burton -- in fact, he'll sing for you -- seek out a number called "Buddy Burton's Jazz" recorded a few years earlier with clarinetist Johnny Dodds.) The simpler, often slower and more straightforward performances by Big Bill (either alone or accompanied by pianist Black Bob) are each to be cherished and savored for their warmth and sincerity. Fortunately, this volume in the series appears to be relatively free of the audio distortion caused by worn grooves that plagued earlier installments. ~ arwulf arwulf
Credits: Philippe Baudoin - Music Consultant; Christian Bonnet - Director; Big Bill Broonzy - Composer, Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; W.E. Burton - Composer; Cow Cow Davenport - Composer; Marion de Dieuleveult - Graphic Assembly; Charlie Eddi - Mastering; Noël Hervé - Original Concept; Black Bob Hudson - Piano; Bob Hudson - Piano; Isabelle Marquis - Graphic Assembly; Arletta May - Composer; Memphis Nighthawks - Primary Artist; Roy Palmer - Trombone; Bruno Theol - Executive Producer; André Vasset - Reissue Producer; Don Waterhouse - Translation.
Tracklist:
01. Shelby County Blues - Big Bill
02. Mistreatin' Mama Blues - Big Bill
03. Bull Cow Blues - Big Bill
04. How You Want It Done - Big Bill
05. Long Tall Mama - Big Bill
06. Biscuit Roller - Memphis Night Hawks
07. Rukus Juice Shuffle - Memphis Night Hawks
08. M And O Blues - Big Bill & His Jug Busters
09. Rukus Juice Blues - Big Bill & His Jug Busters
10. Friedless Blues - Big Bill
11. Milk Cow Blues - Big Bill
12. Hungry Man Blues - Big Bill
13. I'll Be Back Home Again - Big Bill
14. Bull Cow Blues - Big Bill
15. Serve It To Me Right - Big Bill
16. Starvation Blues - Big Bill
17. Mississippi River Blues - Big Bill
18. At The Break Of Day - Big Bill
19. I Want To Go Home - Big Bill
20. Hard Headed Woman - Big Bill
21. Dying Day Blues - Big Bill
22. Dying Day Blues - Big Bill