Release Date: July 12, 2005.
Recording Time: 285 minutes.
Release Info: Compilation (JSP7750), Studio Recording.
Recording Date: January 31, 1937 - April 17, 1940.
Featuring: Ransom Knowling, Blind John Davis, Black Bob, Punch Miller, Washboard Sam.
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Acoustic Chicago Blues, Country Blues, Regional Blues, Blues Revival, Pre-War Blues.
The second volume in JSP's Big Bill Broonzy retrospective is four discs long, covering the bluesman's years in Chicago and New York. What is astonishing is that there are 100 tracks here. While it's true that there are many alternate takes for the sake of the historical record, nonetheless, when combined with volume one, this accounts for a prolific output by the singer and guitarist. Each disc is fully annotated with session information. Some of the musicians on these sessions include Blind John Davis, Washboard Sam, Punch Miller, Black Bob, and Ransom Knowling. The sound is good to very good indeed, as the music here has been completely remastered. Presentation is sparse but more than serviceable, and as always with JSP, the price is excellent. Neil Slaven wrote biographical liner notes for the set. ~ Thom Jurek
Credits: Joshua Altheimer - piano; Albert Ammons - piano; George Barnes - guitar; Alfred Bell - trumpet; Buster Bennett - sax (alto); Big Bill Broonzy - guitar, primary artist, vocals; Blind John Davis - piano; Black Bob Hudson - piano; Ransom Knowling - bass; Punch Miller - trumpet; Walter Page - bass; Odell Rand - clarinet; Aletha Robinson - piano; Bill Settles - bass; Neil Slaven - liner notes; Washboard Sam - vocals; Fred Williams - drums.
Tracklist:
1-01. You Do Me Any Old Way, Tk 1 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-02. You Do Me Any Old Way, Tk 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-03. Down In The Alley, Tk 1 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-04. Down In The Alley, Tk 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-05. Stuff They Call Money - Big Bill Broonzy
1-06. Louise, Louise Blues, Tk 1 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-07. Louise, Louise Blues, Tk 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-08. Let Me Be Your Winder - Big Bill Broonzy
1-09. Hattie Blues, Tk 1 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-10. Hattie Blues, Tk 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-11. My Old Lizzie - Big Bill Broonzy
1-12. Come Home Early - Big Bill Broonzy
1-13. Come Home Early, Tk 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-14. Come Home Early, Tk 3 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-15. Come Home Early, Tk 4 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-16. My Gal Is Gone - Big Bill Broonzy
1-17. Evil Hearted Me - Big Bill Broonzy
1-18. I Want My Hands On It, Tk 1 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-19. I Want My Hands On It, Tk 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-20. It's Too Late Now, Tk 1 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-21. It's Too Late Now, Tk 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-22. Make A Date With An Angel (Got No Walking Shoes), Tk 1 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-23. Make A Date With An Angel (Got No Walking Shoes), Tk 1 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-24. Play Your Hand - Big Bill Broonzy
1-25. Hattie Blues, Tk 3 - Big Bill Broonzy
1-26. Somebody's Got To Go - Big Bill Broonzy
2-01. Good Boy - Big Bill Broonzy
2-02. I Want You By My Side - Big Bill Broonzy
2-03. Border Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
2-04. Sweetheart Land - Big Bill Broonzy
2-05. It's A Low Down Dirty Shame - Big Bill Broonzy
2-06. Got To Get Ready Tonight - Big Bill Broonzy
2-07. Trucking Little Woman - Big Bill Broonzy
2-08. Unemployment Stomp - Big Bill Broonzy
2-09. Why Do You Do That To Me - Big Bill Broonzy
2-10. It's Your Time Now - Big Bill Broonzy
2-11. I'll Start Cutting On You - Big Bill Broonzy
2-12. Sad Letter Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
2-13. The Mill Man Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
2-14. I'll Do Anything For You - Big Bill Broonzy
2-15. Sad Pencil Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
2-16. New Shake-em On Down - Big Bill Broonzy
2-17. Night Time Is The Right Time No. 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
2-18. Let Me Dig It - Big Bill Broonzy
2-19. W.P.A. Rag - Big Bill Broonzy
2-20. Going Back To Arkansas - Big Bill Broonzy
2-21. Rider Rider Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
2-22. Living On Easy Street - Big Bill Broonzy
2-23. Good Time Tonight - Big Bill Broonzy
2-24. Trouble And Lying Woman - Big Bill Broonzy
2-25. I'll Believe I'll Go Back Home - Big Bill Broonzy
3-01. Flat-Foot Susie With Her Flat Yes Yes - Big Bill Broonzy
3-02. Trucking Little Woman No. 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
3-03. Hell Ain't But A Mile And A Quarter - Big Bill Broonzy
3-04. Don't You Lay It On Me - Big Bill Broonzy
3-05. Done Got Wise - Big Bill Broonzy
3-06. Louise, Louise - Big Bill Broonzy
3-07. Spreadin' Snake Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
3-08. Baby Don't You Remember - Big Bill Broonzy
3-09. Whiskey And Good Time Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
3-10. Baby I Done Got Wise - Big Bill Broonzy
3-11. Preachin' The Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
3-12. Just A Dream (On My Mind) - Big Bill Broonzy
3-13. Fightin' Little Rooster - Big Bill Broonzy
3-14. Mary Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
3-15. You Can't Sell 'Em In Here - Big Bill Broonzy
3-16. Just Got To Hold You Tight, Tk 1 - Big Bill Broonzy
3-17. Just Got To Hold You Tight, Tk 2 - Big Bill Broonzy
3-18. Just Wondering - Big Bill Broonzy
3-19. Keep On A-Smilin' - Big Bill Broonzy
3-20. She Never - Big Bill Broonzy
3-21. Woodie Woodie - Big Bill Broonzy
3-22. Too Many Drivers - Big Bill Broonzy
3-23. You Can't Win - Big Bill Broonzy
3-24. Ride, Alberta, Ride - Big Bill Broonzy
3-25. That's All Right,Baby - Big Bill Broonzy
4-01. Please Be My So And So - Big Bill Broonzy
4-02. I.C. Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
4-03. Cotton Choppin' Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
4-04. Hot Dog Mama - Big Bill Broonzy
4-05. Dreamy Eyed Baby - Big Bill Broonzy
4-06. My Last Goodbye To You - Big Bill Broonzy
4-07. Don' You Want To Ride - Big Bill Broonzy
4-08. Don't You Be No Fool - Big Bill Broonzy
4-09. Just A Dream No.2 - Big Bill Broonzy
4-10. Tell Me What I Done - Big Bill Broonzy
4-11. Oh Yes - Big Bill Broonzy
4-12. I'm Still Your Sweetheart, Baby - Big Bill Broonzy
4-13. Down And Lost In Mind - Big Bill Broonzy
4-14. Let's Have A Little Fun - Big Bill Broonzy
4-15. Messed Up In Love - Big Bill Broonzy
4-16. Plow Hand Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
4-17. Jivin' Mr Fuller Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
4-18. Make My Get Away - Big Bill Broonzy
4-19. Looking For My Baby - Big Bill Broonzy
4-20. I've Got To Dig You - Big Bill Broonzy
4-21. Leap Year Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
4-22. When I Had Money - Big Bill Broonzy
4-23. You Got To Hit The Right Lick - Big Bill Broonzy
4-24. What Is That She Got - Big Bill Broonzy
4-25. Merry Go Round Blues - Big Bill Broonzy
Personnel: Big Bill Broonzy - Guitar, Vocals; Washboard Sam - Vocals (tracks: 1-3, 1-4, 1-5); George Barnes - Guitar (tracks: 2-4, 2-5); Albert Ammons - Piano (tracks: 3-5, 3-6); Aletha Robinson - Piano (tracks: 1-9 to 1-13); Black Bob - Piano; Blind John Davis - Piano (tracks: 1-18 to 1-26, 2-1 to 2-5, 2-18 to 2-25); Joshua Altheimer - Piano; Bill Settles - Bass (tracks: 1-1, 1-2, 1-25, 1-26); Ransom Knowling - Bass (tracks: 3-3, 3-4, 3-18 to 3-25, 4-1); Walter Page - Bass (tracks: 3-5, 3-6); Buster Bennett - Alto Saxophone (tracks: 2-18 to 2-21, 3-1, 3-2); Odell Rand - Clarinet (tracks: 3-18 to 3-25, 4-1); Odell Rand - Clarinet (tracks: 3-18 to 3-25, 4-1); Alfred Bell - Trumpet (tracks: 1-6, 1-7, 1-8); Punch Miller - Trumpet; Fred Williams - Drums.
Recorded in Chicago:
January 31, 1937: 1-1, 1-2;
March 10, 1937: 1-3 to 1-5;
June 9, 1937: 1-6 to 1-8;
July 8, 1937: 1-9 to 1-13;
August 16, 1937: 1-14, 1-15;
August 19, 1937: 1-16, 1-17;
October 13, 1937: 1-18 to 1-24;
October 21, 1937: 1-25, 1-26, 2-1 to 2-3;
March 1, 1938: 2-4, 2-5;
March 30, 1938: 2-6 to 2-9;
April 5, 1938: 2-10 to 2-13;
May 5, 1938: 2-14 to 2-17;
September 15, 1938: 2-18 to 2-25;
September 27, 1938: 3-1, 3-2;
November 10, 1938: 3-3, 3-4;
December 23, 1938: 3-5, 3-6 (Carnegie Hall, New York City);
February 6, 1939: 3-7 to 3-12;
February 10, 1939: 3-13 to 3-17;
May 11, 1939: 3-18 to 3-25, 4-1;
September 14, 1939: 4-2 to 4-11;
December 8, 1939: 4-12 to 4-15;
January 26, 1940: 4-16 to 4-19;
April 17, 1940: 4-20 to 4-25.