All the Classic Sides 1928-1937 [Box set]

Big Bill Broonzy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 29, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 5
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Jsp Records
• ASIN: B0000DF5U4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,398 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #52 in Music > Blues > Delta Blues
  • #91 in Music > Blues > Acoustic Blues

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. House Rent Stomp

2. Big Bill Blues

3. Down In The Basement Blues

4. Starvation Blues

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Worried In Mind Blues

2. Too Too Train Blues

3. Mistreatin' Mamma

4. Big Bill Blues

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Starvation Blues

2. Mississippi River Blues

3. At The Break Of Day

4. I Want To Go Home

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Rising Sun Shine On

2. Mountain Blues

3. Bad Luck Blues

4. I Can't Make You Satisfied

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Disc: 5

1. Nancy Jane

2. Lowland Blues

3. Seven-Eleven (Dice Please Don't Fail Me)

4. You Know I Got Reason

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

All The Classic Sides 1928 - 1937 CD E by Big Bill Broonzy

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ****, February 20, 2004

By 

Docendo Discimus (Vita scholae) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All the Classic Sides 1928-1937 (Audio CD)

Finally! All of Big Bill Broonzy's classic and hugely influential prewar sides gathered together. 128 sides recorded for labels like Paramount, ARC and Perfect Records, and featuring Big Bill as a solo performer, as well as leading various small combos.

Big Bill Broonzy was one of the major links between country blues and the urban Chicago variety, and artists like Memphis Slim and Muddy Waters recorded entire LPs of his material.
The sound on these five discs is not great, but you probably won't find any better-sounding Big Bill-sides from the 20s and 30s, and this is certainly no second-rate compilation, in spite of the relatively low price and the cartoonish design of the box. On the contrary, it is a well-annotated, carefully remastered overview of the music of Big Bill Broonzy in his prime.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From another viewpoint..., August 14, 2010

By 

John N. Fulmore "Idaho John" (Payette, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: All the Classic Sides 1928-1937 (Audio CD)

I don't think I can be very objective about Big Bill Broonzy.

Broonzy had a long career spanning the early days of the onset of blues, ragtime blues and hokum to the late 50s when he performed "Black, Brown and White," an anthem about the persistent mistreatment of African Americans. Big Bill managed to do it all (and did it with grace): Delta, Piedmont, popular tunes, protest and gospel. And he created a unique and distinctive guitar style that has echoes in modern music (see Clapton's "Unplugged" CD).

The other reviews may provide more specifics (and more criticism). I am just trying to add back a little emotion - gratitude, and awe at the talent of this fine musician.

I recommend this box set for the fan who truly loves and appreciates this man's art. And I envy you your discovery of this giant of American music.

Idaho John

24 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Big Bill's Best Box...3.5 stars, November 30, 2004

By 

Pharoah S. Wail (Inner Space) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: All the Classic Sides 1928-1937 (Audio CD)

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 would imagine is probably already in there for no other reason than Clapton and Keith Richards can't seem to ever shut up about him. Detach yourself from the hype and actually just listen to the musics of Broonzy and Johnson. There is nothing of Johnson's sound or style that widely found its way into rock & roll. Now listen to quite alot of Broonzy's music. Much of Broonzy's music isn't even so much blues as it is rhythm & blues... the very foundation of the later Chicago blues sound, and early R&R sounds. Water down the lyrics, add some horns or an electric guitar, speed it up a bit, make it 25 years later and some of Big Bill's music is 1950s rock & roll.

Not that I give or take two doo-doos of merit to something because it did or did not influence rock, but seeing as how so many classic-rock fans are always regurgitating the same stuff they've read in 50 Clapton interviews, it annoys me how many blues-rock fans will go on and on about how Robert Johnson was the greatest blues musician ever, as well as some sort of genius proto-architect of rock, when this guy (Broonzy) that most of those same people have never heard, clearly, at times, sounds like a main influence for everyone from Little Richard to Johnny Cash & the Tennessee Two. I'm not slighting Robert's music here, just saying that if you believe the hype, he seemed to do everything but create the earth and sky.

As for Broonzy's music itself, this is a blessing and a curse. Sometimes he does indeed fall into many of the repetitious and bland pitfalls that became the hallmark of the famed post-war "Chicago Blues sound" that oftentimes bores me to tears. That is certainly not all the music in this great box, though. And of course some of his music does dig deep. It's not all just sex and fun.

I feel special mention must be made of Black Bob, Broonzy's longtime pianist. He is as much the star of this box as is Broonzy himself.

As for JSP's work on this box, it is lovely as usual. This is the best sounding Big Bill I have heard. My 3.5 stars don't slight JSPs fine transfers, it's just that as much as I like Big Bill, I personally have never elevated him to the same level as the Memphis Minnies, Lonnie Johnsons, Skip James', Blind Willie McTells, etc... of the world. If you're a huge Big Bill fan, or a first-timer just looking to check him out, this is as fine a box (and price) as you will ever find. I've had this box for 4 or 5 months now and it has yet to escape my player for more than a couple days.