Muddy Waters Sings "Big Bill" (The Songs Of "Big Bill" Broonzy)

Big Bill Broonzy, was one of the most famous and hard-working country-blues, folk-blues, and urban blues performers of the first half of the 20th century.  He was also one of Muddy’s primary mentors and sources of inspiration.  Tragically, Broonzy passed away from Cancer at the age of 65 in August 1958, leaving Muddy with a profound sense of obligation to pay his teacher a fitting tribute.

One thing Muddy never did in his life was to impersonate somebody else.  This album doesn't sound much like Big Bill Broonzy so much as a virtual recasting of his songs into Muddy's electric Chicago style.  In fact, if you're not familiar with Big Bill Broonzy's music, you might think the songs were written by Willie Dixon, Muddy or any of Muddy’s other songwriters who wrote for him in the late Fifties.

'Muddy Waters Sings "Big Bill" (The Songs Of "Big Bill" Broonzy)' was released in August 1960.  It was his first studio LP (and also his first stereo recording), but the second overall LP, as 'The Best Of Muddy Waters', was released in April 1958. 

From 1947 to 1959, Muddy Waters had recorded more than 40 singles for the Chess label, and through all of that time, the label did not offer him a chance to put out even one LP.  This was typical of Chess and Checker records; all of their blues artists, including Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson II, et al., had to wait for almost a decade before getting the LP treatment.

This album is a cool 30-minute long example of how nice, tight, and passionate the Muddy Waters band sounded in 1959.  You can't go wrong with a backing band consisting of James Cotton on harmonica, Otis Spann on piano, Pat Hare on guitar, Andrew Stephenson on bass, and Francis Clay on drums. 

The freeload is a sweet sounding 24 Bit/96 Khz vinyl rip. 

For the freeload what are some of your favorite tribute albums?