Merriweather, Big Maceo - The Complete Sides 1941-1950 : 2 x CDs (Mega Blowout Sale)
SKU
23-JSP 4230
“Big Maceo continues to enjoy high regard amongst musicians and listeners alike - because of the power of his playing, particularly the muscular way in which he rolled his bass figures. When he sang, it was in a world-weary and weathered tone that he supplemented with a harsh false bass that brings Charley Patton and Blind Willie Johnson to mind. The amalgam of instrument and voice was unique.
Maceo came to Chicago and quickly established himself with Tampa Red. He'd learned his trade in the tough world of Atlanta and playing for parties in Detroit. The connection with Tampa Red was fortuitous. Through him, Maceo was introduced to the recording studios - at their first joint session Tampa would record eight titles and Maceo six. Maceo was a newcomer but that wasn't apparent when he cut Worried Life Blues - it's been associated with him ever since. But whether it's the tired intonation of Worried Life or the hard-edged cynicism of Can't You Read, there's one thing for sure: he was always his own musician.
“Big Maceo (Merriweather) played at parties in Detroit, and formed a duo with Tampa Red to popular acclaim, who is also heard on many of these sides, and is out front on a couple of tracks with Maceo accompanying him. Big Maceo's style was both powerful (hence the title of this set) and sparkling. He could (at times) play fairly intricate bass runs with his left hand, while sending out a flurry of solo notes with his right. The combination was very exciting to hear, and when he added his vocal style-world weary and knowing-his recordings are never less than very good. These remastered tracks are from the years 1941-50, and encompass Maceo's best and best known (including instrumentals) music. This music is in the best traditions of piano/guitar duos of the era-but Maceo is the true star here. Listen to songs like "Worried Life Blues", "Maceo's 32-20", "Detroit Jump", "Flyin' Boogie", and "Chicago Breakdown" (among many others) for a good taste of what Maceo was capable of. The booklet notes are by noted blues authority Neil Slaven. Blues fans will recognize names like Odie Payne (drums), Ransom Knowling and Ernest "Big" Crawford (bass), John Brim (guitar), among a few other musicians.
The first disc and a portion of the second contain his finest recordings-before his stroke in 1948-which paralyzed his right arm. He then reverted to using other piano (the term "pianist" doesn't seem to fit with this style of music) players to either accompany him on the keyboard, or take over the "ivory" duties completely. Maceo used players like Johnny Jones (who recorded some sides under his own name) and Eddie Boyd (a personal favorite-hear his vocal/piano work with early FLEETWOOD MAC), among others. But the results (with a few exceptions) weren't ever as good as Maceo's own playing before his stroke.” - Stuart Jefferson