Big Bill Broonzy
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“Big Bill” Broonzy was a prolific American blues composer, recorder and performer.
“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 the case for Broonzy as well. Regardless, Broonzy, originally a fiddler, left Mississippi in 1924 for Chicago, where he met Papa Charlie Jackson, who taught him to play guitar. Broonzy first recorded as a self-accompanied singer in 1929. Around 1936, he became one of the first blues singers to use a small instrumental group, including “traps” (drums), acoustic bass and one or more melodic instruments (horns and/or harmonica). These recordings were usually issued as “Big Bill and his Chicago Five.” At the 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 the case for Broonzy as well. Regardless, Broonzy, originally a fiddler, left Mississippi in 1924 for Chicago, where he met Papa Charlie Jackson, who taught him to play guitar. Broonzy first recorded as a self-accompanied singer in 1929. Around 1936, he became one of the first blues singers to use a small instrumental group, including “traps” (drums), acoustic bass and one or more melodic instruments (horns and/or harmonica). These recordings were usually issued as “Big Bill and his Chicago Five.” At the 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.
Shouts:
32 shouts
Featured Tracks
| FULL TRACK Hey Bud Blues | 3:05 |
| FULL TRACK Coal black curly hair | 4:07 |
| FULL TRACK Letter To My Baby | 3:08 |
| FULL TRACK When Did You Leave Heaven | 3:32 |
Top Albums
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Good Time Tonight
Big Bill Broonzy
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Big Bill Broonzy Sings Folk Songs
Big Bill Broonzy Buy- Download Album
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Big Bill Broonzy Vol. 2 1932 - 1934
Big Bill Broonzy Buy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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Druid66 wrote:
Weren't nobody bigger in his field!
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smee85 wrote:
Muddy Waters Sings Bill Bill Broonzy/Folk Singer
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Davadarho wrote:
Bill Almighty. Great singer and guitar player.
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gerard_d wrote:
"that's the glory of love" what a sweet ragtime track
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pauljinks wrote:
Every bit as good as they say. Legend.
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DeucesAreWild wrote:
one of the greatest players, singers, what have you. Period.
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Theeboon wrote:
Play that guitar boy
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IamFlood wrote:
The man, regardless of sound quality.
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bernarducs wrote:
looking for his early work "Big Bill Broonzy - The Young Big Bill Broonzy (1928-1935)" and one late record "Trouble Mind" - both amazing albuns
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golfmade wrote:
So I've only just found out about him. Where should I start?
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musicgodlything wrote:
84K listeners - not sure if that would qualify as under-rated. I get your point though. Banker's Blues and Good Liquor Gonna Carry Me Down on the other hand...
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TheMongKey wrote:
♥
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TobySligo123 wrote:
yeah, the sound quality is beautiful. Broonzy is criminally under-rated too!
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kayfabbs wrote:
I like the sound quality.
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king_prawn95 wrote:
Only trouble with listening to old blues albums is the terrible sound quality, but other than that it is some good music.
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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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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
Videos
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Play
long tall mama
4 shouts
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Play
Long Tall Mama
2 shouts
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Play
Shuffle Rag (Big Bill Broonzy)
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Play
Hey, Hey (Big Bill Broonzy)
1 shout
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Recent Activity
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solomonwrites, larrythesquid, liltrain423 and 6 other people added Big Bill Broonzy to their libraries. Thursday afternoon
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Pedroraposa tagged Big Bill Broonzy with classic blues, delta blues and blues. last month
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JKowalczyk tagged Big Bill Broonzy with ‘country blues’. last month
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