Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Romance without Finance: Broonzy
From:
harpgirl
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 05:19 PM
An old boyfriend first turned me on to Big Bill Broonzy and this song is one I like a lot. I'll type from some liner notes for posterity.
William Lee Conley Broonzy Born June 26, 1883 Scott, Mississippi. Died August 16, 1958, Chicago, Illinois.
Big Bill Broonzy was in his late thirties before beginning a recording career that would span three decades. Born in Mississippi to parents who had begun their own lives in slavery, Bill moved to Arkansas at an early age where he learned to play fiddle on a home-made instrument.
As a teenager, Broonzy performed at local churches, picnics, and parties, coming into contact with various musicians who played in the tradtional folk blues stylings which influenced Big Bill's music.
In 1920, Broonzy moved to Chicago, where he learned guitar from Papa Charlie Jackson, on of the first blues artists to be recorded.By the late 1930's Big Bill had gained recognition as a key figure in the Chicago blues scene, having performed and recorded with numerous artists, including John Lee Williamson ( the first Sonny Boy williamson) and Jazz Gillium, among others.
His blend of tradtional blues with a more upbeat, sophisticated styling was instrumental in broadening the blues audience, not only in the United States but internationally as well.....
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sj
