Legend Big Bill Broonzy Blues 78 RPM Record Vocalion Post Robert Johnson Rare
$
150
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Description
In 1930, Paramount for the first time used Broonzy's full name on a recording, "Station Blues" – albeit misspelled as "Big Bill Broomsley". Record sales continued to be poor, and Broonzy was working at a grocery store. He was picked up by Lester Melrose, who produced musical acts for various labels, including Champion Records and Gennett Records. Harum Scarums, a trio comprising Broonzy, Georgia Tom and Mozelle Alderson, recorded the two-part "Alabama Scratch" inGrafton, Wisconsin, for Paramount Records(Paramount 13054) in January 1931, and it was reported that it sounded "as if it was a real party."[13] Broonzy recorded several sides released in the spring of 1931 under the name Big Bill Johnson.[14] In March 1932 he traveled to New York City and began recording for theAmerican Record Corporation on their line of less expensive labels (Melotone Records,Perfect Records and others).[10] These recordings sold better, and Broonzy was becoming better known. Back in Chicago he was working regularly in South Side clubs, and he toured with Memphis Minnie.[15]
In 1934 Broonzy moved to RCA Victor's subsidiary Bluebird Records and began recording with the pianist Bob "Black Bob" Call. His fortunes soon improved. With Call his music was evolving to a stronger R&Bsound, and his singing sounded more assured and personal. In 1937, he began playing with the pianist Joshua Altheimer, recording and performing with a small instrumental group, including "traps" (drums), double bass and one or more melody instruments (horns or harmonica or both). In March 1938 he began recording for Vocalion Records.[16]
Broonzy's reputation grew. In 1938 he was asked to fill in for the recently deceasedRobert Johnson at the "From Spirituals to Swing" concert at Carnegie Hall, produced byJohn H. Hammond. He also appeared in the 1939 concert at the same venue.[17] His success led him in the same year to a small role in Swingin' the Dream, Gilbert Seldes's jazz adaptation of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, set in New Orleans in 1890 and featuring, among others, Louis Armstrong asBottom and Maxine Sullivan as Titania, with the Benny Goodman sextet.
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