Search - Big Bill Broonzy :: 1955 London Sessions

An exellent, but not too well known session

BigDick | NY, NY | 06/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"most people have the Big Bill Broonzy Yazoo cd of his early works, which are exellent, as well as his 40's r&b sides on Document, however this Collectibles cd, documents Broonzy late in his career, but in his musical prime vocally and instrumentally. Broonzy's "ready to party" vocals are as strong and appealing as ever, and his guitar picking is deep rooted in ragtime and swing. The big highlight here is how Broonzy turns the swing classic tune ofte nassociated with Helen Ward & Benny Goodman, into a ragtime swinger, with his baritone voice just easing over the song, slightly improvising the lyrics, and still sounding like he's partying in the recording studio. Some tracks feature horns, or rhythm section, but the solos sides sre exellent including a killer diller version of St. Louis Blues, he way Blind Blake would have played it. Great cd that shows what a great ragtime guitarist he was, and taht he might have been the best male blues singer of all time, but definately he's the greatest good time blues singer(along with his half brother Washboard Sam). Great 55 session!"