Tag: Blues

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Lightnin’ Hopkins: Live at the Bird Lounge

If you know me, you know that I love the blues (and if you don’t know me, I suppose you know that now). One of my favorite blues artists is Lightnin’ Hopkins. He’s a country blues boy out of Texas, and he sure knows how to sing a good blues tune.

Live at the Bird Lounge is one of my prized vinyl records, purchased for me as a gift from Rozi. This album contains a set of recordings captured while Lightnin’ played (reportedly) all night at the Bird Lounge. Those recording the set selected their favorite songs and put out this album.

If you like the blues, I highly recommend adding this to your collection.

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Big Bill Broonzy Sings Folk Songs

I was introduced to Big Bill Broonzy by way of Vinyl Me Please, who included Big Bill Broonzy Sings Folk Songs as one of their featured monthly releases.

I love the blues, but prior to getting this album I did not pay much attention to Big Bill. He was one of those names that I was familiar with, but I couldn’t quite identify any of his songs. After this album, I devoured everything of his that I could find (and I definitely recommend the Big Bill Broonzy Story as a next stop).

This album contains a selection of folk songs that are soulfully sung in a country blues style – nothing from the “standard rotation” is present. The album culminates in my favorite song on the album – “Glory of Love” – for a stellar ending to an enjoyable ride.

Check it out if you like the blues. It got me hooked.

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Big Bill Broonzy Story

Big Bill Broonzy is my favorite blues singer – lucky for me he was quite the prolific artist.

This 3-disk collection was recorded in 1957, a year before his death. Big Bill is playing guitar and conducting an interview at the same time – questions are interspersed between songs. Big Bill provides honest answers, covering the backgrounds of other players, the meaning behind different songs, and what it takes to sing the blues.

As an avid blues fan, I love having this window into the experiences that went into this awesome music.