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When Big Bill Broonzy moved to Chicago from Arkansas in 1920 he was still a "country" bluesman but, as he was to prove time and again in his long career, he was also adaptable and despite his supremely affable, easy-going manner he knew what he wanted and was prepared to persevere until he got it. One of the things he wanted was to make records. His break came when he approached Mayo 'Ink' Williams of Paramount Records. Bill and his music partner John Thomas cut four tracks, the resultant record presented Big Bill and Thomas performing 'House Rent Stomp' and 'Big Bill Blues'. Bill later justified knowing that he was bilked on the pay he received because he and Thomas alone bought at least fifty copies!

There was to be only one more release on Paramount before Big Bill hit his big year of 1930, when, using the pseudonym of Sammy Sampson he cut five tracks, four of which appear here, for the Perfect label in New York, then, learning the tricks of the trade he became Big Bill Johnson for Gennett in Richmond before returning to Paramount as Big Bill Broomsley. All this time Bill, who professed to be so lazy, worked at improving his technique, extending his range and composing new songs. From his country origins he moved on to investigate hokum numbers and vaudeville songs. Always keeping an eye out for the main chance, he upgraded his sound by the addition of a piano when he cut three sides utilising the talents of Georgia Tom Dorsey; forever malleable at the same time moulding himself into his basic, unchanging role of good-time rounder, some-time philosopher and full-time bluesman.

Track Listing

Bonus Materials

• Complete Recorded Works (1927-1932)
• Informative booklet notes & detailed discography

Sales Points

• For fans of Hokum Blues
• For fans of Country Blues
• For fans of Country Blues Guitar

Press Quotes

This disc reveals Big Bill as the ragtime guitarist, the hokum singer, the good times performer and above all, as the lowdown but urban blues singer, with the straw still clinging to his sharp city suit. The choice of themes and guitar accompaniments must surely demonstrate that he was always a very catholic performer, and with luck, may lay to rest once and for all, the old canard of Big Bill the 'folk singer'. Exceptional.

     —Paul Oliver , Blues & Rhythm