Not sure why I never did this before (post a Spotify playlist), but here is a little play list that I like to jam to when I need to get my mojo working
This is one of those low down and dirty blues songs. It covers all the bases, hard work, hard liqueur, and domestic violence. And you have to love that growl in Big Bill's voice on this one. I believe he just wants to be left alone after a hard day of work and drinking.
I have always thought that blues music reflects what is going on in the US well. Right now unemployment is high, this is not the first time that this has happened in this country. And blues musicians have documented it and offered over the years
some hope and escape from the frustration of not having a job.
The Y! Raddish Blog put together a play list of blues songs about Unemployment.
I thought it would be cool to see how many of the videos I could find at YouTube, plus some others that fit the theme. Enjoy, and if you are unemployed, here is hoping that you find a job soon.
Big Bill Blues
Lord my hair's a-rising, my flesh begins to crawl
Aw my hair's a-rising, my flesh begin to crawl
I had a dream last night baby, another mule in my doggone stall
Now there's some people said the Big Bill blues ain't bad
Now some people said the Big Bill blues ain't bad
Lord it must not have been them Big Bill blues they had
Lord I wonder what's the matter, papa Bill can't get no mail
Lord wonder what's the matter now, papa Bill can't get no mail
Lord the post office must be on fire, the mailman must undoubtedly be in jail
I can't be a wagon, since you ain't gonna be a mule
Mmmm can't be a wagon mama, since you ain't gonna be a mule
I ain't gonna fix up your black tradition, I ain't gonna be your doggone fool
Big Bill Broonzy @ iTunes
Lester Melrose was born on December 14, 1891 and he passed away on April 12, 1968. He was one of the first producers of blues records.
According to Wikipedia;
...a freelance A & R man, combining the roles of talent scout and record producer. He started to promote many blues artists who became popular, recording them mainly in Chicago. His first big success was "It's Tight Like That" with Tampa Red and soon-to-be gospel music legend Thomas A. Dorsey, then still known as Georgia Tom.
He worked for several record companies simultaneously in the 1930s, including RCA Victor and its subsidiary Bluebird records, Columbia records, and Okeh Records. Among the artists he recorded and brought to the world's attention were Joe "King" Oliver, Big Bill Broonzy, the first Sonny Boy Williamson, Memphis Minnie, Roosevelt Sykes, Lonnie Johnson, Big Joe Williams, Bukka White, Washboard Sam, Champion Jack Dupree, Jazz Gillum, Big Boy Crudup, Victoria Spivey and Leroy Carr.
If this video is what I think it is then it is too cool, but if it is not then it is still cool. I think this is Big Bill Broonzy playing a guitar shuffle. Enjoy!
Big Bill Blues
Lord my hair's a-rising, my flesh begins to crawl
Aw my hair's a-rising, my flesh begin to crawl
I had a dream last night baby, another mule in my doggone stall
Now there's some people said the Big Bill blues ain't bad
Now some people said the Big Bill blues ain't bad
Lord it must not have been them Big Bill blues they had
Lord I wonder what's the matter, papa Bill can't get no mail
Lord wonder what's the matter now, papa Bill can't get no mail
Lord the post office must be on fire, the mailman must undoubtedly be in jail
I can't be a wagon, since you ain't gonna be a mule
Mmmm can't be a wagon mama, since you ain't gonna be a mule
I ain't gonna fix up your black tradition, I ain't gonna be your doggone fool
Big Bill Broonzy @ iTunes
file under;
music, blues, lyrics, Big Bill Broonzy
mp3s
Big Bill Broonzy mp3; Good Liquor Gonna Carry Me Down
"Down in the Basement Blues" (3:27, 606 kB) - 20922-1, c. Oct, 1928
"Pig Meat Strut" (2:47, 490 kB) - 16579, 2 May, 1930
"Big Bill Blues" (2:55, 513 kB) - 18385, 9 February, 1932
"How Do You Want It Done?" (2:49, 495 kB) - 11611-2, 29 March, 1932
"Good Liquor Gonna Carry Me Down" (2:37, 461 kB) - 96232-1, 31 October, 1935
Chicago Blues artist Big Bill Broonzy, died in 1958, unfortunately missing the 1960s blues renaissance, which surely would have proved very lucrative. Broonzy was one of a wave of artists who migrated to Chicago from the deep South in the '20s and bridged the gap between Country and Urban Blues. His warm vocal style could soar and shout, or be smooth and controlled. Broonzy was a well rounded guitar player equally adept at propulsive Country Blues and swinging single note lines for small jazz combos. He recorded prolifically, hundreds of sides -- as a sideman and as a solo artist. Ironically, as time went on, Broonzy played a less sophisticated, more rural style of blues, which reflected the tastes of white, folk music fans. He was one of the first blues artists to tour Europe and consequently had an enormous influence on the first wave of English Bluesmen like Alexis Korner -- and by proxy, Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones.
File under;
blues
mp3
Big Bill Broonzy
