Low Light & Blue Smoke [1956] - Big Bill Broonzy

[@MrChetanG]

This amazing man was a genius of the guitar. He was an orchestra all by himself.

[@WhenHariMetKari]

I love this particular film. And of course Big Bill Broonzy.

[@vasudevjadhav101]

This is a priceless video. India

[@mikelease8525]

This is an astounding piece of film. It really captures the atmosphere of the performance and setting, in the same way that Billie Holiday's "Fine & Mellow" footage does. Some of the comments on this page are unbelievably crass. The cigarettes, ash trays, booze,. etc., significantly add to the ambience of the event, creating an authentic backdrop that was almost always the case in jazz, blues and even folk clubs of that era ....

[@natezomby]

I am only human. But you are so divine. When did you leave heaven? Little angel mine. Great music, great performance.

[@joeyscruggs5180]

That’s right!

[@natezomby]

@@joeyscruggs5180 Hey man thanks for replying to my 7 year old comment so I could come here and watch this again!

[@Broonzied]

So glad this is still here for all to view. It is precious, a treasure to be revered.

[@barbaravanwhy4564]

Awesome thank you

[@dannyrabin]

Absolutely beautiful! I'm learning that first tune. Love Big Bill and his songs.

[@Broonzied]

I love how the band come off stage and immediately turn around to watch Bill perform.

[@vincentbuccieri9305]

Broonzy in His Prime! And Very Interesting Video, I Believe Maybe Early 40's Look! Like an Old Bogart Movie!

[@iwright621]

Those slides are … from another time !

[@eduardocarrochio6326]

the first King Of Chicago Big City Blues made a nice transition to authentic folk musician

[@georgestevens1502]

Besides the quintessence of soul that is his voice, his guitar playing is chock full of runs and phrases that are still models of modern licks. Rory Gallagher had to have been a student of Big Bill.

[@robertweed1976]

What the band name of the last in video

[@georgestevens1502]

@@robertweed1976 Bodasch and the Feetwarmers?

[@Broonzied]

I would happily choke on the smoke just to have been there.

[@mirrortime]

MIND-BLOWING!

[@robkopp]

This documentary is mentioned in Mojo magazine #280 of March 2017 in the interview with Ray Davies, sorry ... Sir Ray Davies. Page 75 says: "a defining moment of inspiration came once again via a film, this time when Low Light And Blue Smoke, a 1956 Belgian documentar y about American country blues man Big Bill Broonzy, was televised."

[@Contact_Info]

Belgians love the blues

[@RL-pers23]

Dutch people do, too!

[@leemitchellmusic]

Sheer, Sheer genius...Always moving...

[@Rory99M]

What a truely remarkable musician. A true legend. His impact on all music after him is massively underestimated and forgotten. This video is a treasure. Thanks.

[@berryj.greene7090]

Not forgotten. A remarkable man & musician. Played for both Black & White audiences but tailored his material to suit.

[@duelenigma7732]

never underestimated and by who . He and Sunnyland Slim were there in Chicago early and helped the new arrivals from the south to get into the music business . All blues people know of his music and importance in general .

[@CharlesDavidPollock]

A great shade of blue.

[@jacobphillips1772]

i love the way this was shot and Big BIll is amazing in it

[@qxpxqx]

All finger-style, smoke blown into his face, ultimate rudeness, cramped circumstances; BROONZY still shines like a goddamned diamond in the sun.

[@Маптух123Йцукенг]

Настоящий блюз!

[@adamkesingland968]

So few live pictures recordings of Big Bill

[@IslandMia]

Just so Good!

[@glenrotchin5523]

Amazing

[@davidbenpark]

WOWZERS

[@randyt3558]

I found the direction, editing, and extraneous shots to be, in the current vernacular - on fleek...great piece.

[@ballinvillon]

most guitar players watch this for Bill's shuffle.However,I think the real gem,is Just a Dream.Don't pass it by. Whatever,it's probably the best film footage of any of the original country blues greats. Thank god, someone had the incentive to film it.He's pumped up,European tour and film crew,his playing is much sharper than the informal porch film,which I think is a year or so later....there's certainly not a guitar player alive,that could come close,to his playing on this set.....and he can sing a bit too.

[@Whatsisface4]

I can only agree. Claptons version of hey Hey, good though it is, lacks vitality compared to this original by Bill.

[@DannyBoyPhelan]

Did you know Pete Seeger filmed that little session on the porch?

[@tymiklic6463]

totally agree..of all the country bluesmen who lived long enough to be filmed he was the most formidable and unique..playing blues in piano keys and not the regular e..all those great eiders of bills were the same...mctell/blake/jefferson etc...he and lightning are my favs of the last old boys

[@NatMyersYall]

Idk I watch it for that lady

[@NatMyersYall]

Idk I watch it for that lady

[@blueslegends4088]

Recorded in Brussels, in a cave-club place des Brigittines

[@drafe007]

love it!!

[@stephenmatcham]

Oh to have been there! Don't you wish you could time travel?

[@АлександрСафронов-л6т]

Super!

[@photonotavailable7936]

Dave Davies, The Kinks, brought me here.

[@David53D]

Beatnick culture at it's best and so good for the cigarette industry.

[@FlintyCobblestone]

Anyone know when in 1956 this would be? Just curious.

[@davidwilliams7397]

For you Joe

[@gamma68]

What was the name of the club where this was filmed? What is there today?

[@hlewerenz]

Looks like Aux Trois Mailletz in Paris but I’m not quite sure

[@kempielaptop6598]

@@hlewerenz Nope it's Bruxelles, in a club called Brigittines.

[@terminatorx2545]

Poisoning oneself back then was in style.

[@gorax2]

J Club - Brussels - 1956

[@relicroy]

J'avais 5 ans …. un peu jeune pour apprécier … :-(

[@gabenandrea]

Was this originally made as a silent film? I have no audio.

[@felixbur]

great man. Another genius killed by tabacco industry

[@dirkooijkaas]

well.......he would have died anyway!!

[@dirkooijkaas]

nobody gets out alive!

[@dirkooijkaas]

At least he did something great before he went

[@terminatorx2545]

He made the choice to smoke. He may have stuck around a few more years if he never did.

[@tymiklic6463]

@@dirkooijkaas i thought he died of tb...before the song feelin bad he has a coughing fit...very sad

[@paulocezar7039]

666 olha só quantas curtidas essa música do diabo tem

[@lazypokerblues]

Lousy quality, dude - there are WAY better uploads of this very footage out there! 🤥

[@davidwilliams7397]

For you Joe