Show 59: Big Bill Broonzy's Legacy
Big Bill stands here as a bridge man: country to city, race records to folk revival, working blues to concert stage. The show groups his heirs and fellow travelers to prove how long his shadow runs across the music.
I'm your host. For today's 59th episode of the CC Blues Show, we will be exploring the life and legacy of my favorite blues artist, Mr. Chicago legend Big Bill Broonzy. Throughout his near four-decade recording career, Bill recorded more than 300 songs, including traditional folk songs and original blues numbers. As a blues composer, he was unique in writing songs that reflected his rural-to-urban and rags-to-riches experiences that truly were the American dream. Up first we have a track originally called "Rockin' Chair Blues" when Bill recorded it in the '30s, but here's Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's version entitled "Rock Me Mama." Here it is.
Big Bill stands here as a bridge man: country to city, race records to folk revival, working blues to concert stage. The show groups his heirs and fellow travelers to prove how long his shadow runs across the music.
| Order | Track | Artist | Segment | Bridge | Story |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rock Me Mama | Arthur Big Boy" Crudup" | 1 | - | |
| 2 | Key To The Highway | Big Bill Broonzy | 1 | Story | |
| 3 | Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad | Big Bill Broonzy | 1 | - | |
| 4 | In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down) | Big Bill Broonzy | 1 | - | |
| 5 | Black Brown & White | Brownie McGhee | 1 | - | |
| 6 | Go Away from My Window | Josh White | 1 | - | |
| 7 | The Hangman | John Jacob Niles | 1 | - | |
| 8 | Good Morning Blues | Lead Belly | 1 | - | |
| 9 | Alberta | Big Bill Broonzy | 1 | Yes | - |
| 10 | This Train | Big Bill Broonzy | 2 | Yes | - |
| 11 | You Don't Know My Mind | Pink Anderson | 2 | - | |
| 12 | Frankie and Johnny | Jimmie Rodgers | 2 | - | |
| 13 | I Feel so Good | Memphis Slim | 2 | - | |
| 14 | Rockin' Chair Blues | Memphis Slim | 2 | - | |
| 16 | Just A Dream | Eddie Cleanhead" Vinson" | 2 | - | |
| 16 | Just A Dream (On My Mind) | Muddy Waters | 2 | - | |
| 17 | When I Get To Thinking | Muddy Waters | 2 | - | |
| 18 | South Bound Train | Big Bill Broonzy | 2 | - | |
| 19 | All By Myself | Memphis Slim,Willie Dixon | 2 | Yes | - |
| 20 | It Was Just a Dream | Billy Boy Arnold | 3 | Yes | - |
| 21 | Baby Please Don't Go | Big Bill Broonzy | 3 | - | |
| 22 | Why Did You Do That to Me? | Washboard Sam | 3 | - | |
| 23 | New Shake 'Em On Down | Big Bill Broonzy | 3 | - | |
| 24 | Worryin' My Life Away | Smokey Hogg | 3 | - | |
| 25 | Truckin' Little Woman | Willie Nix | 3 | - | |
| 26 | Backwater Blues | Big Bill Broonzy | 3 | - | |
| 26 | Backwater Blues | Lead Belly | 3 | - | |
| 27 | Better Cut That Out | Sonny Boy Williamson I | 3 | - | |
| 28 | Long Tall Mama | Smokey Hogg | 3 | Yes | - |
| 29 | Night Time Is the Right Time | Big Bill Broonzy | 4 | Yes | - |
| 31 | Friendless Blues | Lonnie Johnson | 4 | - | |
| 32 | Trouble In Mind | Big Bill Broonzy | 4 | Story | |
| 33 | Diggin' My Potatoes | Buddy Guy,Junior Wells | 4 | - | |
| 34 | Willie Mae Blues | Big Bill Broonzy | 4 | - | |
| 36 | Too Many Drivers | Smiley Lewis | 4 | - | |
| 37 | When I've Been Drinking | Champion Jack Dupree | 4 | Yes | - |
| Evil Women Blues | Big Bill Broonzy | - |