CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Down In The Basement: Joe Bussard's Treasure Trove of Vintage 78s 1926-1937 (Jewel Case with 28-page booklet)

by: Uncle Dave Macon, Rev Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Stripling Brothers, Kokomo Arnold, Bill Johnson's Louisiana Jug Band, Long Cleve Reed, Charley Jordan, Blind Blake, Ernest Stoneman

Release Date June 17, 2003
After seeing " DESPERATE MAN BLUES " on TV; I found out about this CD & knew that I had to own it. Even though ( as I indicated in a prior review ) I am NOT a 78 rpm Collector; I do know that this CD really is a TREASURE TROVE of some extremely special records that are definitely worth listening to. Kudos to JOE BUSSARD for being the superb Collector that he so obviously is & for putting this incredible Collection together !!!......My only question is ( as other reviewers have also inquired )......JOE; HAVING SOME AWARENESS OF THE EXTENT OF YOUR COLLECTION.....WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO FOLLOW UP WITH ANOTHER CD LIKE THIS ?????

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Trouble in Mind

by: Big Bill Broonzy

Release Date February 22, 2000
This "Trouble In Mind" compilation from the Smithsonian is the best collection of Broonzy's later period acoustic work. I think this is a better collection than the other 'best of' compilation ("Absolutely The Best" on Varese Records). The remastering on these tracks is excellent and they are the best sounding recordings of Broonzy I have ever heard. The songs here are all of his classics. The only thing that's disappointing is that they left off the track "Never Satisfied", which would have made this the ultimate collection of Broonzy acoustic blues songs. Highly recommended!

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

The Essential

by: Big Bill Broonzy

Release Date February 06, 2001
From the back waters of the Mississippi Delta playing a cigar box fiddle he made himself in 1903 at age ten to Carnegie Hall in 1938, Big Bill Broonzy set the course for all the other Blues greats to follow. Pure magic on the guitar!

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Folks, He Sure Do Pull Some Bow! Vintage Fiddle Music 1927-1935: Blues, Jazz, Stomps, Shuffles & Rags

by: Big Bill Broonzy, Charlie Pierce, Andrew Baxter, Clifford Hayes, Bubbling-Over Five, Memphis Jug Band, Mississippi Sheiks, Peg Leg Howell, Frank Stokes, Big Joe Williams, Agusto Abreu

Release Date March 27, 2001
Old Hat Records always goes the extra mile to present incredibly rare sides from vintage 78s. The sound quality is top-notch, and the generous booklet is packed with equally rare photography, highly-informative notes and thorough documentation.

There are lots of reissues of early recordings, but all the offerings from Old Hat are head and shoulders above the rest.

Sure, the pirates of the world can probably find this material in MP3 format, but despicable thievery aside, they're missing out on the complete package. The music combined with the ample booklet is the true prize. The true value is owning this release, holding it in your hand: listening, reading, viewing the rare photos.

Whether you're a hard ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Big Bill Blues: His 23 Greatest Hit Songs 1927-1942

by: Big Bill Broonzy

Release Date February 03, 2004
Old Hat Records always goes the extra mile to present incredibly rare sides from vintage 78s. The sound quality is top-notch, and the generous booklet is packed with equally rare photography, highly-informative notes and thorough documentation.

There are lots of reissues of early recordings, but all the offerings from Old Hat are head and shoulders above the rest.

Sure, the pirates of the world can probably find this material in MP3 format, but despicable thievery aside, they're missing out on the complete package. The music combined with the ample booklet is the true prize. The true value is owning this release, holding it in your hand: listening, reading, viewing the rare photos.

Whether you're a hard ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Good Time Tonight

by: Big Bill Broonzy

Release Date August 20, 1990
I bought this because I am a big fan of Washboard Sam, and I found out that he had a half brother, Big Bill Broonzy. Well Washboard Sam and Broonzy's music is almsot the same sounding, both are good time blues singers, who really have a hard driving style, however Broonzy plays guitar and Sam plays washboard, other then that they have similar voices, that rock gently and roll with rhythm!

This cd is exellent and Big Bill sounds like he's ready to party. If you like this you should also check out any of Washboard Sam's recordings, he also recorded with small blues swing combos like the one Broonzy plays with here. Also they made a number of recordings together that can be found on the out of print cd of Washboard Sam called Rockin' My Blues ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

All the Classic Sides 1928-1937

by: Big Bill Broonzy

Release Date September 29, 2003
With this box you get the pre-war sides of the Chicago Gentleman of the blues. Broonzy was interesting in that, at least to me, he seems rather emotionally detatched, vocally, much of the time. Particularly in comparison to many of his contemporaries. Whereas Skip James can make you feel like you just heard a ghost crying on the wind, Broonzy kinda sounds like a stately, distinguished gentleman. Certainly a feat, considering how sexually explicit some of his lyrics are.

I think the idea of a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is ridiculous to begin with, but if Broonzy isn't in it (maybe he is, I don't know), then it's even more ridiculous than I thought. Broonzy had a much larger stylistic impact upon rock & roll than did, say, Robert Johnson, who I ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Absolutely the Best

by: Big Bill Broonzy

Release Date December 05, 2000
This CD gives a distorted picture of who Big Bill Broonzy really was.
Filled with Broonzy's renditions of spirituals, folk and country songs such as "Sixteen Tons", "This Train" and "The Midnight Special", it forgoes the excellent and highly influential bluesman that was William Lee Conley Broonzy, in favor of the ageing songster who traveled around Europe playing folk songs, because that's what people wanted him to play.

Big Bill Broonzy was a huge source of inspiration to Muddy Waters (who recorded a tribute album of Broonzy's songs), Memphis Slim (who did the same), J.B. Lenoir, Little Walter and countless others - including Eric Clapton.

He was also a tremendous guitar player, a powerful singer, and the author ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

The Young Big Bill Broonzy (1928-1935)

by: Big Bill Broonzy

Release Date April 08, 1991
Although originally recorded in the 1930's .Big Bill Broonzy's music lives on through his influences on todays heros.This CD is a must for any serious acoustic blues musician & is the supplement to Woody Mann's Guitar Learning Video , Big Bill Broonzy .The Liner notes by the folks @ Yazoo Music are equally important & insightful .

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

1955 London Sessions

by: Big Bill Broonzy

Release Date February 18, 2003
Although originally recorded in the 1930's .Big Bill Broonzy's music lives on through his influences on todays heros.This CD is a must for any serious acoustic blues musician & is the supplement to Woody Mann's Guitar Learning Video , Big Bill Broonzy .The Liner notes by the folks @ Yazoo Music are equally important & insightful .