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Big Bill Broonzy
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Big Bill Broonzy was a prolific United States composer, recorder and performer of blues songs.
“Big Bill” was born William Lee Conley Broonzy in Scott County, Mississippi on June 26, 1893 or 1898 (the exact year is unclear). While Broonzy himself claimed to be born in 1893, another source claims that Broonzy had a twin sister named Lannie Broonzy who had proof they were born on June 26, 1898. During this time, it was common for black men to add years to their actual age in order to get a job or join the military, which may very well have been Broonzy’s case as well. Regardless, Broonzy left Mississippi in 1924 and arrived in Chicago, where he met Papa Charlie Jackson, who taught him to play guitar (Broonzy had previously been a fiddler). Broonzy first recorded as a self-accompanied singer in 1929, and continued to record in that style. Around 1936, he became one of the first blues singers to use a small instrumental group, including “traps” (drums) and acoustic bass as well as one or more melody instruments (horns and/or harmonica). These discs were usually issued as Big Bill and his Chicago Five. At that time, Broonzy was recording for the American Record Corporation on their line of less expensive labels (Melotone, Perfect Records, et al). In 1939, ARC was acquired by CBS, and Broonzy then appeared on Vocalion (later Okeh) and, after 1945, on Columbia Records. One of his best-known songs was written at that time, “Key To the Highway.”
“Big Bill” was born William Lee Conley Broonzy in Scott County, Mississippi on June 26, 1893 or 1898 (the exact year is unclear). While Broonzy himself claimed to be born in 1893, another source claims that Broonzy had a twin sister named Lannie Broonzy who had proof they were born on June 26, 1898. During this time, it was common for black men to add years to their actual age in order to get a job or join the military, which may very well have been Broonzy’s case as well. Regardless, Broonzy left Mississippi in 1924 and arrived in Chicago, where he met Papa Charlie Jackson, who taught him to play guitar (Broonzy had previously been a fiddler). Broonzy first recorded as a self-accompanied singer in 1929, and continued to record in that style. Around 1936, he became one of the first blues singers to use a small instrumental group, including “traps” (drums) and acoustic bass as well as one or more melody instruments (horns and/or harmonica). These discs were usually issued as Big Bill and his Chicago Five. At that time, Broonzy was recording for the American Record Corporation on their line of less expensive labels (Melotone, Perfect Records, et al). In 1939, ARC was acquired by CBS, and Broonzy then appeared on Vocalion (later Okeh) and, after 1945, on Columbia Records. One of his best-known songs was written at that time, “Key To the Highway.”
Top Albums
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Good Time Tonight
Big Bill Broonzy
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Big Bill Broonzy Vol. 2 1932 - 1934
Big Bill Broonzy Buy- Download Album
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St. Louis Blues
Big Bill Broonzy Buy- Download Album
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Top Tracks
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Key To The Highway
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Glory Of Love
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Big Bill Blues
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Bull Cow Blues
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Long Tall Mama
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How You Want It Done?
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The Dozen
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Mississippi River Blues
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She Caught the Train
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I Can't Be Satisfied
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Whiskey And Good Time Blues
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Don't Tear My Clothes
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Ash Hauler
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All By Myself
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| 15 |
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I Feel So Good
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Shoutbox
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gabethevegan wrote:
Sweet Pic of The man.Might not be many shouts here but its great to see this man honoured by all ages and tastes,great quote from Bonnie Raitt:Legend herself For some of us Music is an essential part of our being,couldn't do without it..Gabe
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HurricaneBob wrote:
Been listening to Big Bill since I was a child, I'm 61 now, my father was a guitar man and just loved Big Bill, he used to plug in his guitar get a Mason Jar of moonshine and play along with Big Bill's records .. See if you can find "Keep Your Hands Off Of Her".. or listen to him do backup work for Washboard Sam (Robert Brown) on "Morning Dove Blues" or "Prowling Groundhog".. Big Bill was one of the best accoustic guitar players, if you like the blues you'll enjoy Big Bill Broonzy.
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gabethevegan wrote:
Another shout for this giant of the blues,See See Rider is a stunning recording ...only 10 shouts..how come..what the fuck is wrong with the listeners of Last.fm
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gabethevegan wrote:
They dont come bigger than this colossus..The real deal, and shinning amongst many Gems is "John Henry" quite possibly the best recording of this trad song..fast becoming one of my faves of all time; up there with "heard it through the Grapevine""Vodoo Chile"...etc
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bcwilliamson wrote:
key to the highway... masterpiece. forgotten songwriter and master of the blues. some of you people might like to check out my music of a similar era... http://www.last.fm/music/B.C.+Williamson god bless
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Shaunography wrote:
http://www.last.fm/group/We+love+bad+production!
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Shaunography wrote:
Mighty fine, I tell ya
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SYL2Oh wrote:
This solid guitarist with the powerful voice is one of the principal artists of the urban blues, immortalized by abundant discography is the soul of Bluebird Beat
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WilliamNl wrote:
MUSIC IS THE KEY! Music is never about one generation.Listen to it all or you’re going to miss some great stuff!” ~Will ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “It’s Not All About Selling Records.It’s About Having Interesting Things To Say ~Bonnie Raitt ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So …,Join Also: The Sonny Landreth Group: http://www.last.fm/group/Sonny+Landreth See you there ; - )~W
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Themactator wrote:
Pure Gold!
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guitarguy33 wrote:
http://www.last.fm/group/Real+Deal+Blues
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muller_00 wrote:
Very true.
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theplanetearth wrote:
Big Bill Broonzy rules
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qackees3 wrote:
my god, I think I've found a new favorite
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Recent Activity
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brzegal, giorgos54, nekkidhead and 15 other people added Big Bill Broonzy to their libraries. 4 hours ago
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PhilAbernethy connected Big Bill Broonzy to the group Chess Records. Saturday morning
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bobfrench, nataliewoody, paolododet and 11 other people added Big Bill Broonzy to their libraries. Saturday morning
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Floydess tagged Big Bill Broonzy with ‘delta blues’. last week
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chiptotec tagged Big Bill Broonzy with ‘totec radio’. 16 days ago
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chiptotec, FLMB, snoreis and 5 other people added Big Bill Broonzy to their libraries. 16 days ago
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GregorzIV tagged Big Bill Broonzy with less than 10, folk, guitar and 3 other tags. 21 days ago
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leablues, Hengoes and oldrnb added Big Bill Broonzy to their libraries. 21 days ago
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vanda__ tagged Big Bill Broonzy with delta blues and blues. 22 days ago
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Groups (25)
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BLUES council
61 members
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Pre-War Blues
205 members
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The Blues House
38 members
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Smithsonian Folkways
155 members
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