I just finished reading I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy, by Bob Riesman -- and bravo. I've been a fan of blues giant Broonzy since I was a kid via my father, a huge Broonzy fan, but at the same time really knew little about his life, and what's most fascinating to me is just how much is unknowable. He's like a 19th or 18th Century figure, with so much factual info simply not available, and Broonzy's way of fabricating around the facts also reminds me of a bard. But more than anything, I just loved the details Riesman was able to glean -- what an amazing amount of research -- and then put so well into historical context within an engaging narrative. Just great.

Dave Royko

May 23, 2013

Music Rambles