When the Sun Goes Down

Big Bill Broonzy's 1935 recording of "When the Sun Goes Down" is a masterclass in adaptation. Drawing from the melancholy standard "In the Evening" established by pianist Leroy Carr, Broonzy translated the urban, twilight mood to the acoustic guitar. Broonzy played an intricate, swinging rhythm, displaying the polish and professionalism that made him the leading figure on the Chicago club scene in the 1930s. His smooth, confident vocal delivery refined the rough country edges of his earlier work, cementing his reputation as a sophisticated entertainer capable of adapting traditional material for a modern city audience.