Big Bill Broonzy was a foundational force in the pre-war Chicago music scene, pioneering a sophisticated sound that bridged country folk traditions with urban ensemble arrangements. Recorded on May 2, 1941, this OKeh Records release delivers two contrasting pillars of his repertoire:
"Shine On, Shine On": A bright, rolling blues track displaying Broonzy’s melodic dexterity and optimistic vocal delivery
."When I Been Drinking": A legendary blues standard. It details a raw, humorous, and deeply honest narrative of the pitfalls of overindulgence, driven by a memorable acoustic guitar rhythm.
Recording and
Year Recorded: 1941 (Released mid-1941 on OKeh 06303).

Spanning the months directly preceding the United States' formal entry into World War II, 1941 was a flashpoint of industrial mobilization. As defense manufacturing accelerated in northern cities, the demographic fabric of urban centers shifted dramatically due to the ongoing domestic migration of working-class laborers. This record embodies the artistic transition of that period. It moves away from solo acoustic instrumentation toward a collaborative, driving urban rhythm that catered directly to the social spaces and jukebox demands of newly formed factory communities.
"When I Been Drinking" became one of Broonzy's most enduring compositions, frequently requested during his post-war European concert tours, which introduced authentic American blues to a generation of British invasion guitarists.

Released just months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, this disc belongs to the final era of standard commercial shellac production before severe wartime shortages restricted record manufacturing materials across the United States.

Condition Report (VJM 78rpm Grading System)
Overall Grade: Excellent / Excellent Minus (EE-).
Media Surfaces: The shellac retains a beautiful, strong gloss. A few light superficial paper lines and faint handling wisps are visible under direct light, but there are no deep feelable scratches, needle digs, or structural chips.
Audio Playback: Clear and robust sound projection. While there is minor light background crackle native to the vintage compound, the vocal and guitar tracks cleanly dominate the audio mix.
Labels: Highly presentable. The deep maroon OKeh print is vivid with minimal spindle wear around the center hole.

Postage, Packaging & Delivery Information
Packaging Method: Fragile pre-war shellac demands specialized protection. The disc will be placed in a protective sleeve, sandwiched between oversized thick card stiffeners, and wrapped in multiple layers of heavy-gauge bubble wrap.
Handling: The entire assembly is suspended within a heavy-duty doubleskin box to eliminate movement and fill any remaining internal void. Carefully packed and promptly dispatched.