Big Bill Broonzy Albums (15)
'Blues Is My Business'
Release Date 11/25/2003
Tracks 16
Label Varese
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What The Critics Say
Actually a reissue of Absolutely the Best, which appeared on the Varese Sarabande in 2000, with the addition of �House Rent Stomp," this is far from the definitive Big Bill Broonzy (and certainly doesn't compare to the Trouble in Mind release on Smithsonian Folkways. Toward the end of his career, Broonzy slipped away from being the compleat bluesman who inspired Muddy Waters so much that he recorded a tribute to the master to become more of a folk singer, and that is more of the person reflected here. Granted, blues artists had a repertoire that extended beyond the blues, but �Down By The Riverside" and �In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)" feel more like folk singalongs, and even on �I Got Up One Mornin' Blues" there's no real sense of anguish -- he's more going through the motions. Perhaps the biggest problem is that Broonzy simply doesn't inject enough of himself into this material. He was one of the greats, although you'd be hard pressed to discover it from this set. Blues was indeed his business, but from the sound of this, it was time to retire. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
'On Tour in Britain, 1952: Live in England and Scotland'
Release Date 12/10/2002
Tracks 47
Label Jasmine
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What The Critics Say
There are plenty of Big Bill Broonzy albums on the market, but this one is definitely a little special, as it's taken from his first trip to England, where a small but enthusiastic group of fans saw him play on tour. For most, it was their first live exposure to real American blues, certainly of the Mississippi Delta variety, and Broonzy didn't let them down -- although he did throw in a few surprises, like his take on the standard "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover" or a version of "In the Evening When the Sun Goes Down," which must have left the audiences a little stunned. However, his takes on "John Henry" and "House Rent Stomp" (both of which have two versions here, from different shows) are very much the real deal, while "Trouble in Mind" and "Midnight Special" are nothing less than superb. Considering that Broonzy must have been wondering about his audience as much as they were about him, he treated them like a Saturday night juke joint crowd, and gave them the real experience, rather than a concert -- which means throwing in some popular standards. The audio is surprisingly good, and about the only thing one could wish is that the disc included his trademark "Key to the Highway." Otherwise, a fine and informative document of a major tour. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
'Big Bill Broonzy in Concert'
Release Date 4/9/2002
Tracks 23
Label Jasmine
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'Lonesome Road Blues'
Release Date 11/15/1997
Tracks 13
Label GNP Crescendo
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'Feelin' Low Down'
Release Date 11/15/1997
Tracks 14
Label GNP Crescendo
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'I Can't Be Satisfied'
Release Date 3/1/1996
Tracks 18
Label Collector's Edition
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What The Critics Say
This mid-priced reissue of the Archive of Folk Music recording Big Bill Broonzy (FS-213) chronicles the blues singer-guitarist's European comeback of the early '50s, when he was in his late fifties. He is assured and comfortable with the material, which includes such standards as "Baby Please Don't Go," "See Rider," and even "Sixteen Tons" (the last suggesting his eclecticism). His performance of "St. Louis Blues" should serve as a lesson to guitar players everywhere, and "Ridin' on Down," which he speak-sings in a deadpan manner, is hilarious. Complete with warmups and coughs, this is hardly a professional session, but a pro like Broonzy doesn't require much more than a microphone and a tape recorder to make a good record. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
'Black, Brown and White'
Release Date 1/1/1995
Tracks 13
Label Evidence
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What The Critics Say
Black, Brown and White includes live tracks recorded in Belgium in March 1952 (three featuring pianist Blind John Davis) and December 1955 during Europe's discovery of Big Bill Broonzy. The highlight of the disc is the laid-back atmosphere in the living room setting recorded at Broonzy biographer Yannick Bruyoghes' house in Brussels. Several Broonzy classics are revisited, along with traditional blues standards "Nobody's Business," "Alberta," and "Careless Love." ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide
'Unissued Test Pressings'
Release Date 1/1/1992
Tracks 15
Label Milan
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What The Critics Say
Unissued Test Pressings compiles 15 alternate versions of Big Bill Broonzy classics like "WPA Blues," "Married Life Is a Pain" and "Unemployed Stomp," released here with their spoken introductions intact; that alone makes these sides invaluable for scholars, as the intros not only run down the other musicians on the session but also provide additional track information. Unfortunately, scholars and Broonzy fanatics are about the only listeners to whom the collection will appeal -- the overall sound quality is simply too poor for casual fans to endure. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
