The Big Bill Broonzy was just found by a reddit user!

@MichaelKasino2025

8 ай бұрын

As per Reddit user, u/Freddle_Mercury: While visiting a friend in St. Louis, I purchased a large lot (400-500) of shellac records. Buried in a dusty old box was this Paramount. I was thrilled to find one, but I didn’t immediately realize JUST how special of a record this was. When I tried to do some research and realized the possibility, that excitement just turned to disbelief. This record is in fact a “lost” recording of blues legend Big Bill Broonzy (misspelled as “Broomsley” on the record) playing “Station Blues” on the A side and “How You Want it Done” on the B. As far as we can tell, it’s the only copy known to exist. While there might be another out there somewhere, this is it for now. I seriously can’t believe it. I’ve collected 78s for years but never imagined I’d come across something like this. Thrilled to do my part in preserving a piece of blues history. I’m in the process of getting ahold of people and deciding on who to take it to. I haven’t played it yet and I intend to get it digitized as soon as possible. Talked to John Tefteller a couple days ago. He was one of the first people to know! I was super happy when I saw a Paramount - especially a Broonzy record. But it wasn’t until I tried to look up more information on it that I realized it could be something even more special. I was kinda in disbelief when I read something that said “no surviving copy is known”. I don’t think I really fully believed it until I got confirmation from John Tefteller!

@MichaelKasino2025

8 ай бұрын

As per Reddit user, u/Freddle_Mercury: As far as I know, this is (as of now) the only known copy of this record. However, he recorded several different versions of “How You Want it Done”. The most familiar one was recorded in 1932. Interestingly though, it seems that the one released on Paramount was a different version recorded in May of 1931. “Station Blues” could be something entirely new, or a version of his “Police Station Blues”. He recorded “Police Station” in September of 1930 for some labels. However, the song on this record, “Station Blues” was evidently recorded for Paramount in May of ‘31. It seems likely that “How You Want it Done” is an unheard version of that song, but not 100% sure about “Station Blues”. That one could be either an new unheard song or a different version of “Police Station Blues”. Haven’t played it yet though, so we’ll see!

Wow, the mass-mailing to areas surrounding Grafton, Wisconsin was a BRILLIANT idea, and I'm so glad it paid off! I have been proud to be a friend of John's since 1979. This is absolutely wonderful. Congratulations to Michael Kasino and all involved with this! I'll bet that John will now be contacted by legions of folks who have, or think they have, rare records --- which might drive him crazy but will ultimately be great for all of us.

@johntefteller

9 ай бұрын

I hope so...we shall see!

The really nice copy of the DA Hunt Sun record that he's holding in this video belonged to Mack Stevens, who had one of the most complete Sun collections in the world before he sold it. I'm acquainted with Mack and was ine of the first people he contacted when he was getting ready to sell his collection, and i did buy one of his very rare titles. I know for a fact that John gave him thirty thousand dollars cash in hand for that record he's holding in this video.

Fantastic and nicely done portrait of John Tefteller! Thanks for having it uploaded to youtube!

Very interesting and passionate video. Thank you for sharing your work and dedication to preserve history.

Wonderful that he is out there trying to preserve this history. Hopefully he will find a public institution that can protect this important collection.

Wow great little doc! I'm subscribed. I've ended up with a lot of old 'Fox Trot' 78's and always wondered about them.

Erudite fellow. Well versed, and passionate. He is, however, a businessman. I recall reading many years back that these astronomical prices were questionable, as they set a precedent for what other copies of the discs could or should go for. I guess the mystique of finding rare records is shattered when collectors of hitherto 1 known copy then outbid others when a second copy comes on the market. No doubt sly business, when 1 person now owns the 2 known copies of a disc. Did Mr Tefteller ever rub shoulders with the recently deceased Joe Bussard, when searching for these elusive paramount 78s? I wish Joes reminisces would have been a wee bit more in depth, but he must've had some prime cuts that gave Mr Tefteller a hard on? I'm intrigued too, re Mr Robert Crumbs 78 collection- and can anyone advise on the late Bob Hite of Canned Heat' s collection of 78s? I heard some were lost in a California earthquake. Greetings from Glasgow (Scotland..) Hari

Thank you! This was wonderful!

Great documentary!

Brilliant! Well done! JH

One correction: Ike Turner played piano and Willie Kizart played guitar on Rocket 88.

Leave it to Michael Kasino to find such a fascinating subject in the environs of southern Oregon and to document his work in an entertaining presentation. This is a delightful study of one man's passion for American music and his mission to preserve an important (albeit fragile) art form.

In the groove baby, loved it...want more. more super duper rare 45s. 🙂🙂🙂

FANTASTIC!!!

Wow! What a diamond ! Well done!jh

I thoroughly enjoyed this great documentary. You've given us all a challenge to find these missing Paramount records and you will be the first person I reach out to if I am ever so lucky to find one. Just curious, does your wife travel with you across the USA in search of these records? She's definitely a keeper!

Cream’s “Crossroads” does credit Robert Johnson as writer, not Clapton. Even the ATCO 45 lists Johnson as writer.

Enjoyed this. What’s the song playing in the background at the end of the video, starting around 32:22?

@MarkCam-ge1un

9 ай бұрын

Thanks!

"Rare" records only have significance to collectors. For the most part, they were insignificant to the artist or the original audience, since they didn't sell. They are a part of history, but only the relatively minor history of record collecting.

only a little arrogrant

His price estimations are hilarious. Legendary collection, but "$75,000 to $100,000" for even a mint Robert Johnson on Vocalion is not even ballpark close.

@Timathos

8 ай бұрын

A Robert Johnson in pretty decent shape was on eBay last month and it sold for under $7000. So I could see a mint “crossroad blues” going for $50,000 tops

The lost Big Bill record was just found