BIG BILL BROONZY — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 10 • 1940 | DOCD-5132 (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The tenth of 11 Document CDs covering all of Big Bill Broonzy's prewar sessions as a leader has three dates (resulting in 14 songs) in which Broonzy is joined by the reliable pianist Joshua Altheimer and either drummer Fred Williams or Washboard Sam on washboard. Altheimer died unexpectedly later that summer; the other two sets included on this CD have either Blind John Davis or Memphis Slim in Altheimer's place, and the trio is rounded off by either drummer Williams or bassist Ransom Knowling. Although Big Bill did not evolve much during 1940, he was near the peak of his popularity and very much in prime form. Among the high points of the 26 selections (including three previously unreleased alternate takes) in this collection are "Jivin' Mr. Fuller Blues," "Leap Year Blues," "What Is That She Got," "Lonesome Road Blues" and "I'll Never Dream Again." Recommended to Broonzy's many fans. Scott Yanow

Abridged from this album’s original booklet noes. Big Bill Broonzy recalled that his piano playing partner Josh Altheimer died on February 18th 1940, an assertion disputed by sessions files that record his presence on 17th April and 10th June of that year. However, by September Blind John Davis was back at the keyboard and it was around that time that Bill began to work with Peter Chatman, better known today as “Memphis Slim”, a name Bill claimed to have bestowed himself. He was still sticking to his basic sound and all the sides cut under his own name in 1940 featured only his own guitar, a piano and either Fred Williams‘ thudding drumming or contributions from Ransom Knowling on bass or Washboard Sam‘s sud-busting. Most interesting is his reply to the Carolina singer Blind Boy Fuller‘s Jivin’ Big Bill Blues of July 1939 (to be heard on DOCD 5095), Jivin’ Mr. Fuller Blues. Big Bill Broonzy never seemed to run out of ideas for his songs. Not only was he keeping himself supplied he was producing material for other artists. On the 17th April date he put forward the theory that as it was Leap Year “the women got to take care of the men (I gotta get even somehow)”. She would pay the bills and he would wear the ‘nation sack tied round his waist. The answer to the question What Is That She Got? would appear to be an eye affliction as the Annie referred to seems to spend most of her life winking at judges and cops. Washboard Sam brightened up the last session on which Bill and Josh worked together. His vigorous scrubbing seemed to spark off a reaction in the piano player and titles like Lone Wolf Blues and Midnight Steppers have a zip to them that was sometimes missing from Big Bill’s more elaborate productions involving clarinets and saxophones. So, at the end of 1940 Big Bill Broonzy was still on top, searching around for a replacement for Josh Altheimer and working the clubs and the house rents with people like Sonny Boy Williamson, Memphis Slim and Memphis Minnie. DOCD-5132
Tracklist :
1        Plow Hand Blues    (A) 2:56
2        Jivin' Mr. Fuller Blues (A) 2:54
3        Make My Getaway    (A) 2:46
4        Looking For My Baby (A) 2:48
5        I've Got To Dig You (B) 2:37
6        Leap Year Blues (B) 2:43
7        When I Have Money (B) 2:52
8        You Got To Hit The Right Lick (B) 2:49
9        What Is That She Got? (B)     2:35
10        Merry Go Round Blues (B) 2:41
11        Medicine Man Blues (C) 2:56
12        Looking Up At Down (C) 2:57
13        Midnight Steppers (C)     2:40
14        Lone Wolf Blues (C) 2:56
15        Hit The Right Lick (D) 2:37
16        You Better Cut That Out (D) 2:57
17        I Wonder What's Wrong With Me (D) 2:29
18        Bed Time Blues (D) 2:46
19        Merry-go-round Blues (D) 2:46
20        Serenade Blues (D) 2:50
21        Lonesome Road Blues (E) 2:53
22        Getting Older Every Day [Take 1] (E) 2:37
23        Getting Older Every Day [Take 2] (E) 3:15
24        That Number Of Mine (E) 2:40
25        My Gal Is Gone (E) 2:50
26        I'll Never Dream Again (E) 2:47
Credits :
(A) BBB, vocal, guitar; Joshua Altheimer, piano; Fred Williams, drums. 26/01/1940
(B) BBB, vocal, guitar; Joshua Altheimer, piano; Fred Williams, drums. 17/04/1940
(C) BBB, vocal, guitar; Joshua Altheimer, piano; Washboard Sam, washboard. 10/06/1940
(D) BBB, vocal, guitar; Blind John Davis, piano; Fred Williams, drums.  20/09/1940
(E) BBB, vocal, guitar; Memphis Slim, piano; Ransom Knowling, stand-up bass. 17/12/1940