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Common Ground: Dave Alvin + Phil Alvin Play and Sing The Songs of Big Bill Broonzy

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4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 149 ratings
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About Yep Roc Records

Yep Roc Records is an American independent record label based in Hillsborough, North Carolina, and owned by Redeye Distribution. Since 1997, the label has released albums from North Carolina and international artists, including Nick Lowe, Paul Weller, Mandolin Orange, Steep Canyon Rangers, Jim Lauderdale, Dave Alvin, Tift Merritt, Chuck Prophet, Robyn Hitchcock, Alejandro Escovedo, Aoife O'Donovan, Chatham County Line, Los Straitjackets, Amy Helm, Gang of Four, The Apples in Stereo, and Ian McLagan.

Track Listings

1 All By Myself
2 I Feel So Good
3 How You Want It Done?
4 Southern Flood Blues
5 Big Bill Blues
6 Key to the Highway
7 Tomorrow
8 Just a Dream
9 You've Changed
10 Stuff They Call Money
11 Trucking Little Woman
12 Saturday Night Rub

Editorial Reviews

We argue sometimes, but we never argue about Big Bill Broonzy, says Dave Alvin when explaining why he and brother Phil, who havent made an album together in almost 30 years, were inspired to record Common Ground: Dave Alvin + Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy set for June 3 release on Yep Roc. The Alvin brothers, who founded seminal early LA punk roots band The Blasters in 1979, have shared a fascination with Broonzy since childhood. After an illness nearly took Phils life in 2012, they resolved to return to the studio and pay tribute to the blues legend. Common Ground includes 12 songs that capture a 30-year cross section of Broonzys canon, performed by the Alvins in their signature style of rollicking roots and stomping country blues.

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.63 x 5.12 x 0.28 inches; 2.05 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Yep Roc Records
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ CDYEP2384
  • Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 2014
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ April 12, 2014
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Yep Roc Records
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JBV28NQ
  • Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 149 ratings

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
149 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2014
    Writing about Big Bill Broonzy, long-time jazz critic Nat Hentoff observed, "The blues is about the way people live, the way they really live. The good times, the lost times, the hoping times, the times when you remember you're going to die, the times when everything is so right you want time to stop." In his autobiography "Big Bill Blues" Broonzy asked to be remembered, "as a well-known blues singer and player and has recorded 260 blues songs from 1925 up till 1952; he was a happy man when he was drunk and playing with women; he was liked by all the blues singers, some would get a little jealous sometimes but Bill would buy a bottle of whiskey and they all would start laughing and playing again. . . ." It should not have been so surprising to open "Common Ground", the latest effort by Dave and Phil Alvin, and discover that after more than 30 years in the same patch, they're ready to claim space among the standouts.

    Taken as a whole this album is surprising on two accounts. First, many artists will present a contemporary audience with a personal interpretation of an older recording. Think Eric Clapton featuring the Broonzy song "Key to the Highway" while fronting Derek and the Dominos in 1970. Stretching the listeners' attention to a single song writer is much rarer; recall Maria Muldaur's gem "Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul" where about half of the tunes chosen originated with Memphis Minnie. The decision to limit the song selection here to Bill Broonzy compositions posed a challenge to both the Alvin brothers and to their audience.

    It may have helped that Broonzy himself showed exceptional imagination and range over his career, from accompanying himself on a solo guitar to adding elaborate piano accompaniments, drums, bass, and horns when the budget permitted. The Alvin brothers brighten the horizon by reaching into corners for old-time acoustic styles on the opener "All By Myself" and the instrumental closer "Saturday Night Rub." Gene Taylor's rich piano backing on half the tracks is as inventive as Joshua Altheimer's work behind Broonzy in the 1930s. By featuring Phil's harmonica and a piedmont style of guitar playing, their arrangement of "Key to the Highway" echoes the old Sonny Terry/Brownie McGhee chart. Phil's vocal on "How You Want It Done?" is matched by the same distinctive high-speed flatpicking pattern that Big Bill used in 1932.

    Their approach to the harrowing "Southern Flood Blues" could scarcely be more modern. Dave's searing opening riff and later solo, and Phil's vocals and harmonica work underscore the urgency when the singer is awakened by the Ohio River, "comin' in my door," followed by Dave's distinctive repeat, "telling us to get ready, telling us to get ready to go." Bob Glaub's roiling bass and Don Heffington's drums and percussion underscore the peril. This is not a three chord country blues with the bass player marking the progression. The rockabilly and alt-country styles familiar from the Blasters sessions and their individual work since are still recognizable, but the Alvin brothers have now claimed space within a contemporary blues world.

    A second mark of the artistry here develops from the song selection. This is not a golden hits collection from long ago. It's the Alvin brothers at their best, telling you about, "the good times, the lost times, the hoping times, the times when you remember you're going to die." Phil's masterful tenor voice, Dave's deep baritone, and the clear, original instrumental solos make these tracks live in the 21st century. The ability to surprise an audience familiar with their own careers or with pre-war blues records is truly an accomplishment. It's a joy to roll through on such a delightful excursion.
    28 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2014
    Blasters fans and blues lovers alike are going to flip for this. Dave and Phil Alvin are back together again and achieve a perfect balance between an original Blasters reunion album and a Dave/Phil solo album....quite simply, the music is FANTASTIC and brings out the best in both of them. Not often can you listen to an entire album and honestly say that every song is both unique and warrants repeated listening...but that's exactly what you have here...you've got some acoustic blues, you've got some electric blues, you've got a few Dave Alvin sounding tunes, you've got an instrumental and you've even get a a taste of Blasters style rockabilly. This is all spiced up with gritty guitar, wailing harmonic, juke joint piano and GREAT SINGING...and of course the base material is CLASSIC....I was never a huge Big Bill Broonzy fan but I am finding out really quickly that his songs are great. If you have't heard any of the samples yet, the brothers don't try and reproduce the originals and they don't try and tutn them into Blasters material either....instead they dress them up just enough to ensure they sound modern in a retro-cool sort of way. That isn't completely possible on all of these classics (i.e. "Key To The Highway") but some really surprise. In particular, "I Feel So Good" which I thought had been done to death absolutely smolders... The brotherly synergy and love of this material is obvious on every track. Once again these two have cemented thier roles as "Masters of American Music"...in my humble opinion, this is the best blues album in years and will end up going down as a classic....DO NOT miss out on this one.
    49 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2024
    I became a Dave Alvin from Justified. Good album, despite a couple of strange tunes.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2015
    What a terrific CD....every song is memorable and the fact that the Alvins have collaborated on this effort puts it over the top for me. Phil's voice coupled with Dave's riffs and licks combine to make this a very special CD. Big Bill was a very special and energetic part of the American Blues Scene and the Alvins do a great job of re-creating his special style. It's so nice to see Phil back in the mix again. Just saw him recently at the Doheny Blues Festival with "the Guilty Ones" and he fits in well. This is an essential part of any music collection....no regrets here. Great choice. Once you hear it, you will be a believer.....thank you Dave and Phil
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2014
    If you like Americana roots and blues, this CD is a must buy! I could go on and on about each song, but this is a CD that you have to listen to without any preconceived notions. It is also great to see Phil and Dave collaborating once again...they are two of the most underrated rock and roll brothers in the history of American music. I can't think of another pair of siblings that so uniquely capture the vocal and songwriting pairing that these two do. The music of Big Bill Broonzy is right in the Alvin brothers' wheel house. A true gem that belongs in any musical collection.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2014
    This is a great project for Dave and Phil to come together on. Big Bill Broonzy passed away too soon and missed the 1960s blues revival. If he had lived into that era, he would be as well known today as Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters and the other greats.
    I have a renewed appreciation for Broonzy's songwriting as a result of this album.
    It is also fun to hear Dave and Phil singing together. Duets weren't a part of The Blasters. Whether it is a Blasters reunion, or more albums like this, I hope to hear more from the Alvin brothers in the coming years.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Ontario Heat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on October 19, 2016
    Great CD Highly recommended and will watch for more from these two
  • SQUONK
    5.0 out of 5 stars BLUES "BLASTERIZZATO"
    Reviewed in Italy on September 30, 2014
    Felice di trovare di nuovo insieme i fratelli Alvin . I Blasters negli anni 80 sono stati un gruppo assolutamente stupefacente . In questo album rifanno a loro modo i pezzi migliori di uno dei loro ispiratori , Big Bill Broonzy . Album genuino , sanguigno , suonato in maniera magistrale dai fratellini . Collaborano al disco una serie di musicisti coi fiocchi tra i quali spicca l'ex Blasters Gene Taylor ( un vero portento di pianista ) . Bentornati !!!!
  • FRANCISCO JAVIER
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buen disco
    Reviewed in Spain on August 3, 2014
    Me gusta el disco, llego en tiempo y forma, segun lo ofrecido. Para el que le guste el blues, es una buena opcion.
  • Mr. A. W. Riggs
    5.0 out of 5 stars Alvin's Stardust a real blast for Big Bill
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2014
    Much like the recent Neil Young record 'Letter Home' Dave and Phil Alvin have reconvened to look back for this record dedicated to Big Bill Broonzy. But for me these records are worlds apart, whilst Neil sounds morbid and self-absorbed this record sounds fresh and full of great songs and the combo of Phil & Dave for me gets to the heart of Americana. Anyone wondering what we've been missing for the last 30 years needs to listen 'What's Up With Your Brother' from Dave Alvin's 11 11 record. This record succeeds where other tribute records fail as the music here is enhanced by the playing and singing not weighed down by history.
    Buy this and all The Blasters and Dave Alvin records.
  • matsuda76
    4.0 out of 5 stars blues
    Reviewed in Japan on July 6, 2014
    Blastersの主要メンバーDave & Phil Alvin兄弟によるカバーアルバム。
    Dave Alvin前作のようなスワンプ、ロックンロールでもなく、Blasters時代のようなロック、ロカビリーでもなく、オールドなカントリーブルースで相当渋い。
    ナンバーは全て1930年代から活動していたメンフィスのBig Bill Broonzyによるもの。
    アコースティックなカントリーブルースからシカゴブルース等々、2人のギターによる的確なフレーズと、スワンプなボーカル、Philハーモニカ、Gene Taylorピアノ、Bob Glaub、Brad Fordhamベース、Lisa Pankratz、Don Heffingtonのタイトなドラムスによって築かれるいぶし銀のブルースアルバム。
    実力派ベテランミュージシャンによる、安定感抜群のプレイとBig Bill Broonzy往年の名曲群に酔いしれる1枚。