When Dave and Phil Alvin were just kids in Downey, Calif., they already had developed a curiosity about the roots of American music. So when 12-year-old Phil saw a copy of Big Bill Broonzy’s Big Bill’s Blues, he bought it and brought it home.
Broonzy, a key guitarist, singer and writer of (primarily but not exclusively) acoustic Blues and Folk, lived from 1893-1958 and wrote or adapted such classics as “Key to the Highway” and “Just a Dream.”
“It was a happenstance discovery,” Phil says by phone, in advance of his and Dave’s local tour stop, where they will play songs from their new album of Broonzy interpretations, Common Ground.
The Alvin Brothers play the Southgate House Revival Wednesday. Tickets/more info here.\