This mid-priced reissue of the Archive of Folk Music recording
Big Bill Broonzy (FS-213) chronicles the blues singer-guitarist's European comeback of the early '50s, when he was in his late fifties. He is assured and comfortable with the material, which includes such standards as "Baby Please Don't Go," "See Rider," and even "Sixteen Tons" (the last suggesting his eclecticism). His performance of "St. Louis Blues" should serve as a lesson to guitar players everywhere, and "Ridin' on Down," which he speak-sings in a deadpan manner, is hilarious. Complete with warmups and coughs, this is hardly a professional session, but a pro like
Broonzy doesn't require much more than a microphone and a tape recorder to make a good record.