1937-1940, Vol. 2 (2005)

About this title: The second volume in JSP's Big Bill Broonzy retrospective is four discs long, covering the bluesman's years in Chicago and New York. What is astonishing is that there are 100 tracks here. While it's true that there are many alternate takes for the sake of the historical record, nonetheless, when combined with volume one, this accounts for a prolific output by the singer and guitarist. Each disc is fully annotated with session information. Some of the musicians on these sessions include Blind John Davis, Washboard Sam, Punch Miller, Black Bob, and Ransom Knowling. The sound is good to very ... read more

Tracks:

1. You Do Me Any Old Way
2. You Do Me Any Old Way [Take 2]
3. Down in the Alley [Take 1]
4. Down in the Alley [Take 2]
5. Stuff They Call Money
6. Louise, Louise Blues [Take 1]
7. Louise, Louise Blues [Take 2]
8. Let Me Be Your Winder
9. Hattie Blues [Take 1]
10. Hattie Blues [Take 2]
11. My Old Lizzie
12. Come Home Early
13. Come Home Early [Take 2]
14. Come Home Early [Take 3]
15. Come Home Early [Take 4]
16. My Gal Is Gone
17. Evil Hearted Me
18. I Want My Hands on It [Take 1]
19. I Want My Hands on It [Take 2]
20. It's Too Late Now [Take 1]
21. It's Too Late Now [Take 2]
22. Make a Date with an Angel (Got No Walking Shoes) [Take 1]
23. Make a Date with an Angel (Got No Walking Shoes) [Take 2]
24. Play Your Hand
25. Hattie Blues [Take 3]
26. Somebody's Go to Go
27. Good Boy
28. I Want You by My Side
29. Border Blues
30. Sweetheart Land
31. It's a Low Down Dirty Shame
32. Got to Get Ready Tonight
33. Trucking Little Woman
34. Unemployment Stomp
35. Why Do You Do That to Me
36. It's Your Time Now
37. I'll Start Cutting on You
38. Sad Letter Blues
39. The Mill Man Blues
40. I'll Do Anything for You
41. Sad Pencil Blues
42. New Shake-Em on Down
43. Night Time Is the Right Time No. 2
44. Let Me Dig It
45. W.P.A. Rag
46. Going Back to Arkansas
47. Rider Rider Blues
48. Living on Easy Street
49. Good Time Tonight
50. Trouble and Lying Woman
51. I'll Believe I'll Go Back Home
52. Flat Foot Susie with Her Flat Yes Yes
53. Trucking Little Woman
54. Hell Ain't But a Mile and a Quarter
55. Don't You Lay It on Me
56. Done Got Wise
57. Louise, Louise
58. Spreadin' Snake Blues
59. Baby Don't You Remember
60. Whiskey and Good Time Blues
61. Baby I Done Got Wise
62. Preachin' the Blues
63. Just a Dream (On My Mind)
64. Fightin' Little Rooster
65. Mary Blues
66. You Can't Sell 'Em in Here
67. Just Got to Hold You Tight [Take 1]
68. Just Got to Hold You Tight [Take 2]
69. Just Wondering
70. Keep on A-Smilin'
71. She Never
72. Woodie Woodie
73. Too Many Drivers
74. You Can't Win
75. Ride, Alberta, Ride
76. That's All Right, Baby
77. Please Be My So and So
78. I.C. Blues
79. Cotton Choppin' Blues
80. Hot Dog Mama
81. Dreamy Eyed Baby
82. My Last Goodbye to You
83. Don't You Want to Ride
84. Don't You Be No Fool
85. Just a Dream No. 2
86. Tell Me What I Done
87. Oh Yes
88. I'm Still You Sweetheart, Baby
89. Down and Lost in Mind
90. Let's Have a Little Fun
91. Messed Up in Love
92. Plow Hand Blues

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.