Big Bill Broonzy Okeh 6242 Keys To The Highway Green Grass Blues 78 RPM Shellac
£
30
$
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Description
Big Bill Broonzy was an influential 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 historic OKeh Records release pairs two heavy thematic performances:
"Keys To The Highway" (titled as "Key To The Highway" on the original label format): A towering blueprint of blues composition featuring Broonzy's clean acoustic string-bending alongside Jazz Gillum’s expressive harmonica accents.
"Green Grass Blues": A driving companion performance highlighting Broonzy's storytelling cadence and his rhythmic, ragtime-influenced picking pattern.
Year Recorded: 1941 (Released mid-1941 on OKeh 6242).
Recorded only months before the United States entered World War II, this record reflects a transformative point in Black history during the Great Migration. As Southern agricultural laborers relocated to northern wartime manufacturing centers, musicians like Broonzy adapted traditional Mississippi Delta roots to fit an electrified, industrial environment. The traveling motifs of "Keys To The Highway" served as an unintentional anthem for this transient labor workforce navigating urban displacement, systemic redlining, and changing economic prospects.
: This specific 1941 OKeh master of "Keys To The Highway" was formally inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2010, universally recognized as the foundation for future covers by artists ranging from Little Walter to Eric Clapton.
While earlier versions of the song used alternative structures, the tight, driving eight-bar arrangement captured on this session with pianist Horace Malcolm and Washboard Sam established the definitive framework for modern blues ensembles.
Condition Report (VJM 78rpm Grading System)
Overall Grade: Excellent to Excellent Minus (E to EE-).
Media Surfaces: The shellac retains a beautiful, bright surface reflectivity. Very light superficial hairline scuffs from paper contact are present, but there are no deep feelable gouges, groove damage, hairline cracks, or edge chips.
Audio Playback: Strong, vivid sound projection. Surface noise is minimal and well below the music signal, allowing both the harmonica and vocal textures to project with clarity.
Labels: Very Good (VG) due to specific markings. The maroon OKeh labels are intact with clean silver text. There are small vintage ink collection stickers affixed to the paper surfaces reading "X94" and "X95" respectively. There is light organic paper aging, but no heavy spindle track 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.
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