Big Bill's Guitar

by Hans Theessink recording of 1994 resp. 1998 from Hard Road Blues (Minor 801047) & Ratzenbeck, Theessink, Langer RTL3, Gitarre x 3, The first time I heard the blues Some thirty years ago The first time I heard Big Bill Broonzy On late-night radio A total revelation I was spellbound Just a white boy lost in the blues He moved me with his sound Echoes from another world Fingers dancing on the strings One voice and one guitar How that man could sing "Just a dream" "Black, brown and white" True sounds full of emotion Sent shivers up and down my spine Hooked on blues And Big Bill is to blame Since that night, his music moved me My life ain't been the same I'm flying cross the ocean To bury a friend of mine Still can't accept the bitter truth Memories keep coming to my mind Once he spoke of bluesmen that he knew And took me in his car Showed me an old 000-28 Martin flattop Used to be Big Bill's guitar She's in Chicago, old town school of folk music In a closet, 'hind a door Since Big Bill's dead and gone She don't raise her voice no more I felt a strange sensation When I first touched those strings Somehow I still could sense the hands That used to make this guitar ring Hooked on blues ...

 

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Playing "Help-Me" In the Style of Sonny Boy Williamson II: A step by step, note for note analysis of some of Sonny Boy's Signature Riffs