MAJOR "BIG MACEO" MERRIWEATHER

Hallo,
wieder etwas aus der Blues-Ecke. Aber wichtig für die Forum-Aufsicht, es gibt sogar Schallplatten aus Anfang der 50 er Jahre!!!!!!!!

Major "Big Maceo" Merriweather
(* March 31, 1905, + February 23, 1953) war ein amerikanischer Pianist und Blues-Sänger. In den 1940 er Jahren war er hauptsächlich in Chicago.

Geboren in Newnan/Georgia war er ein autodidaktischer Pianist. In den 1920 er Jahren zog er nach Detroit/Michigan, um seine Musikkarriere zu beginnen. 1941 zog er nach Chicago, wo er Tampa Red kennenlernte. Red stellte ihn Lester Melrose von RCA Victor und dessen Tochterlabel Bluebird Records vor, der mit Merriweather einen Plattenvertrag unterschrieb.

Die erste Aufnahmesitzung fand am 24. Juni 1941 in Chicago statt: Big Maceo, voc, p; Tampa Red, g; Ransom Knowling, b
- Worried Life Blues (064190-1)
- Ramblin' Mind Blues (064191-1)
- County Jail Blues (064192-1) #
- Can't You Read (064193-1) **
- So Long, Baby (064194-1)
- Texas Blues (064195-1)

BLUEBIRD
00 41….B-8772-A/B…. Big Maceo..Can't You Read (064193-1)**/So Long, Baby (064194-1)
** RCA Victor 20-3209
10 41….B-8798-A/B…. Big Maceo..Ramblin' Mind Blues (064191-1)/County Jail Blues (064192-1) #
# RCA Victor 20-3209
10 41….B-8827-A/B…. Big Maceo..Texas Blues (064195-1)/Worried Life Blues (064190-1)

Seine Platte “Worried Life Blues“ (1941), die ein Blues-Hit, ein Blues-Standard wurde und sein Markenzeichen blieb. Das Lied enthielt Elemente von Sleepy John Estes' “Someday, Baby“. Weitere klassische Klavier-Blues-Aufnahmen folgten, wie “Chicago Breakdown“, “Texas Stomp“ und “Detroit Jump“.

Sein Klavierstil entwickelte sich von Musikern wie Leroy Carr und Roosevelt Sykes sowie vom Boogie Woogie-Stil von Meade Lux Lewis und Albert Ammons. Er beeinflusste wiederum andere Musiker wie Little Johnny Jones und Henry Gray, wobei letzterer Merriweather zuschrieb, ihm beim Start seiner Karriere als Blues-Pianist geholfen zu haben.

Sein Stil beeinflusste praktisch jeden bedeutenden Nachkriegs-Bluespianisten. Sein bekanntestes Lied, “Worried Life Blues“, ist ein fester Bestandteil des Blues-Repertoires, wobei Künstler wie Eric Clapton es regelmäßig live spielen. Es gehörte zur ersten Reihe von Songs, die in die Blues Hall of Fame in der Kategorie Classic Blues Recordings – Singles or Album Tracks aufgenommen wurden, neben “Stormy Monday“, “Sweet Home Chicago“, “Dust My Broom“ und “Hellhound on My Trail“.

24. Juni 1941 in Chicago, IL
Tampa Red, voc, g, kazoo; Big Maceo Merriweather, p; Ransom Knowling, b
- Worried Life Blues (064190-1) RCA Victor 447-0003 (19??), Groove 4G-5001 (UK 19??)

BLUEBIRD
10 41….B-8890-A/B…. Tampa Red..You'd Better Be Ready To Go (064187-1)/No Baby No (064188-1)
10 41….B-8919-A/B…. Tampa Red..Georgia, Georgia Blues (064182-1)/It's A Low Down Shame (064186-1)
00 41….B-8962-A/B…. Tampa Red..She's Love Crazy (064185-1)/So Far, So Good (064189-1)

24. Juni 1941 in Chicago
Tampa Red, voc, g, * kazoo; Big Maceo Merriweather, p; Ransom Knowling, b

BLUEBIRD
00 41….B-8962-A/B…. Tampa Red..I Got A Right To Be Blue (064183-1) */Don't Deal With The Devil (064184-1) #
# RCA Victor 20-2791

December 15, 1941 in Chicago, IL
Big Maceo, voc, p; Tampa Red, g; Alfred Elkins, imb

BLUEBIRD
02 42….B-8939-A/B…. Big Maceo..I Got The Blues (070634-1)/Why Should I Hang Around? (070637-1)
00 42….B-8973-A/B…. Big Maceo..It's All Up To You (070635-1)/Tuff Luck Blues (070633-1)
00 42….B-9012-A/B…. Big Maceo..Bye, Bye, Baby (070636-1)/Poor Kelly Blues (070638-1)

February 6, 1942 in Chicago, IL
Tampa Red, voc, g, kazoo; Big Maceo Merriweather, p; Clifford "Snags" Jones, dr

BLUEBIRD
00 42….B-9009-A/B…. Tampa Red..Gin Head Woman (074043-1)/Don't Jive It Mama (074044-1)
00 42….34-0700…. Tampa Red..Let Me Play With Your Poodle (074048-1)/My First Love Blues (074042-1) #
# Jazz Society AA556 (Fr)

February 6, 1942 in Chicago, IL
Tampa Red, voc, g; Big Maceo Merriweather, p, # sp; Clifford "Snags" Jones, dr

BLUEBIRD
00 42….B-9024-A/B…. Tampa Red..She Want To Sell My Monkey (074049-1) #/Mean And Evil Woman (074047-1)

February 6, 1942 in Chicago, IL
Tampa Red, voc, g, # kazoo; Big Maceo Merriweather, p; Clifford "Snags" Jones, dr
- Gypsy Lady Blues (074045-1) Bluebird unissued, RCA 89588, Document DOCD-5212
- She Can't Make Up Her Mind (074046-1) Bluebird unissued

July 28, 1942 in Chicago, IL
Big Maceo, voc, p; Tampa Red, g; Clifford Jones, dr

BLUEBIRD
01 43….34-0703…. Big Maceo..Anytime For You (074639-1)/Since You Been Gone (074641-1)

- Some Sweet Day (074638-1) Bluebird unissued, Bluebird AXM2-5506-1 (1975)
- My Last Go Round (074640-1) Bluebird unissued, Bluebird AXM2-5506-1 (1975)

July 28, 1942 in Chicago, IL
Tampa Red, voc, g, kazoo; Big Maceo Merriweather, p; Clifford "Snags" Jones, dr

BLUEBIRD
00 42….34-0711…. Tampa Red..You Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone (074634-1)/I Ain't Fur It (074636-1)

- I Got My Habits On (074635-1) Bluebird unissued
- Mary Lou Blues (074637-1) Bluebird unissued

Nach dem 2. Weltkrieg wurde wieder die Aufnahmen aktiviert, jetzt führend durch Big Bill Broonzy.

February 18, 1946 in Chicago, IL
Jazz Gillum, voc, hca; Big Maceo, p; Leonard Caston, g; Alfred Elkins, b
- Long Razor Blues (D6AB 1821) RCA Victor 20-2120

February 19, 1945 in Chicago, IL
Big Bill Broonzy, voc, g; Buster Bennett, as; Big Maceo, p; Tyrell Dixon, dr
- Doing The Best I Can (C 4380) Columbia unissued, Blues Document BDCD-6042
- Partnership Woman (C 4381) Columbia 30143
- Where The Blues Began (C 4382) Columbia unissued Document DOCD-5525
- Humble Blues (C 4383)
- Oh Baby (C 4384)
- Cell No. 13 Blues (C 4385)
- Believe Me What I Say (C 4386) Columbia unissued
- 1944 Blues (C 4387) Columbia unissued
- Flyin' Boogie (C 4387-2NG) (= Macy Special) Columbia unissued, Blues Classics BC 29 , Columbia CK47911 (CD)

February 24, 1945 in Chicago, IL
Big Bill Broonzy, voc, g; Big Maceo, p; Tyrell Dixon, dr
- When I Get To Thinkin' (C 4414)
- Roll Dem Bones (C 4415)
- Letter To Tojo (C 4416) Columbia unissued
- You Got The Best Go (C 4417)

OKEH
00 45….6739…. BIG BILL..Oh Baby (C 4384)/When I Get To Thinkin'

COLUMBIA
00 45….30002…. BIG BILL..Humble Blues (C 4383)/Roll Dem Bones (C 4415)
00 45….30009…. BIG BILL..Cell No. 13 Blues (C 4385)/You Got The Best Go (C 4417)

COLUMBIA
00 46….36879…. BIG BILL..Humble Blues (C 4383)/Roll Dem Bones (C 4415)
00 46….37164…. BIG BILL..Cell No. 13 Blues (C 4385)/You Got The Best Go (C 4417)

COLUMBIA
00 47….30021…. BIG BILL..Oh Baby (C 4384)/When I Get To Thinkin'
00 47….37454…. BIG BILL..Oh Baby (C 4384)/When I Get To Thinkin'

February 26, 1945 in Chicago, IL
Big Maceo, voc, p; Tampa Red, g; Melvin Draper, dr
- Kid Man Blues (D5AB 316)
- Things Have Changed (D5AB 318)

BLUEBIRD
10 45….34-0735…. Big Maceo..Kid Man Blues (D5AB 316)/Things Have Changed (D5AB 318)

RCA Victor
00 45….20-2687…. Big Maceo..Kid Man Blues (D5AB 316)/

February 26, 1945 in Chicago, IL
Big Maceo, voc, p; Tampa Red, g; Melvin Draper, dr
- I'm So Worried (D5AB 317) RCA Victor 20-2505 (US 11/1947)
- My Own Troubles (D5AB 319) RCA Victor 20-2353 (US 7/1947)
- If You Ever Change Your Ways (D7VB 339) RCA Victor 20-2910
- Won't Be A Fool No More (D5AB 1205)
- Big Road Blues (D5AB 1206)
- Chicago Breakdown (D5AB 1207) RCA Victor 447-0003 (19??), Groove 4G-5001 (UK 19??)

RCA Victor
05 46….20-1870…. Big Maceo..Big Road Blues (D5AB 1206)/Won't Be A Fool No More (D5AB 1205)

RCA Victor (7 inch 45 rpm)
00 ??....447-0003…. Big Maceo..Chicago Breakdown (D5AB 1207)/Worried Life Blues (064190-1)

GROOVE (UK)
00 ??....4G-5001…. Big Maceo..Chicago Breakdown (D5AB 1207)/Worried Life Blues (064190-1)

July 5, 1945 in Chicago, IL
Tampa Red, voc, g, kazoo; Big Maceo, p, voc; Tyrell Dixon, dr
- Mercy Mama (D5AB 346-1)
- I Can't Get Along With You (D5AB 347)
- Better Let My Gal Alone (D5AB 349)

BLUEBIRD
00 45….34-0740…. Tampa Red..Better Let My Gal Alone (D5AB 349) #/Mercy Mama (D5AB 346-1)

- Winter Time Blues (D5AB 1204)
- Chicago Breakdown (D5AB 1207)

BLUEBIRD
01 46….34-0743…. Big Maceo..Chicago Breakdown (D5AB 1207)/Winter Time Blues (D5AB 1204)

July 5, 1945 in Chicago, IL
Tampa Red, voc, g, kazoo; Big Maceo, p, # voc; Tyrell Dixon, dr
- Mercy Mama (D5AB 346-1) RCA Victor 20-1887
- I Can't Get Along With You (D5AB 347) Bluebird 34-0748
- Give Me Mine Now (D5AB 348-1A) Bluebird unissued, RCA Victor RCA Bluebird AXM2-5501

July 5, 1945 in Chicago, IL
Big Maceo, voc, p; Tampa Red, g, # sp; Tyrell Dixon, dr
- Maceo's 32-20 (D5AB 350) RCA Victor 20-2028
- Come On Home (D5AB 351)
- Texas Stomp (D5AB 352) # RCA Victor 20-2028
- Detroit Jump (D5AB 353) #

RCA Victor
12 46….20-2028…. Big Maceo..Maceo's 32-20 (D5AB 350)/Texas Stomp (D5AB 352)
03 47….20-2173…. Big Maceo..Detroit Jump (D5AB 353)/Come On Home (D5AB 351)

October 19, 1945 in Chicago, IL
Sonny Boy Williamson, voc, hca; Big Maceo, p; Tampa Red, g; Charles Sanders, dr
- Early In The Morning (D5AB 396)
- Stop Breaking Down (D5AB 398) RCA Victor 20-3047
- You're An Old Lady (D5AB 399)

RCA Victor
05 46….20-1875…. Sonny Boy Williamson..You're An Old Lady (D5AB 399)/Early In The Morning (D5AB 396)

- Fast Woman Blues (D6AB 1817)
- Keep On Sailing (D6AB 1819)

October 19, 1945 in Chicago, IL
Tampa Red, voc, g, kazoo; Big Maceo, p, voc; Charles Sanders, dr
- I'll Be Up Some Day (D5AB 1200)
- I Oughta Bite You (D5AB 1201)
- Corinne Blues (D5AB 1202) RCA Victor 20-2432
- Play Proof Woman (D5AB 1203-1A) RCA Victor 20-2249

RCA Victor
00 46….20-2147 Tampa Red..I'll Be Up Some Day (D5AB 1200)/I Oughta Bite You (D5AB 1201)

October 19, 1945 in Chicago, IL
Sonny Boy Williamson, voc, hca; Big Maceo, p; Tampa Red, g; Charles Sanders, dr
- The Big Boat (D5AB 397) RCA Victor 20-3218

February 18, 1946 in Chicago, IL
Jazz Gillum, voc, hca; Big Maceo, p; Leonard Caston, g; Alfred Elkins, b
- Reckless Rider Blues (D6AB 1816)
- Fast Woman Blues (D6AB 1817)
- All In All Blues (D6AB 1818) RCA Victor 20-2232
- Keep On Sailing (D6AB 1819)
- Look On Yonder Wall (D6AB 1820)

RCA Victor (Bluebird series)
00 46….34-0747…. Jazz Gillum, Blues Singer..Keep On Sailing (D6AB 1819)/Fast Woman Blues (D6AB 1817)
00 46….20-1974…. Jazz Gillum, Blues Singer.. Reckless Rider Blues (D6AB 1816)/Look On Yonder Wall (D6AB 1820)

February 19, 1946 in Chicago, IL
Tampa Red, voc, g, kazoo; Big Maceo, p, voc; Alfred Elkins, b
- Let's Try It Again (D6VB 1826) RCA Victor 20-2597
- Maybe Some Day (D6VB 1827)
- Crying Won't Help You (D6VB 1828-1A)

RCA Victor
00 46….20-1988…. Tampa Red..Crying Won't Help You (D6VB 1828-1A)/Maybe Some Day (D6VB 1827)
00 47….20-2249…. Tampa Red..Play Proof Woman (D5AB 1203-1A)/Please Be Careful (D6VB 1829)

February 22, 1946 in Chicago, IL
Memphis Jimmy: James (Beale Street) Clark, voc, Leonard Caston, p; Ollie Crawford, g; Alfred Elkins, b
- Drifting (D6AB 1838) Bluebird 34-0748, RCA Victor 20-1887

BLUEBIRD
00 46….34-0748…. Tampa Red..I Can't Get Along With You (D5AB 347)/Memphis Jimmy..Drifting (D6AB 1838)

RCA Victor
00 46….20-1887…. Tampa Red..Mercy Mama (D5AB 346-1)/Memphis Jimmy..Drifting (D6AB 1838)

September 16, 1946 in Chicago, IL
Tampa Red, voc, g, kazoo; Oett "Sax" Mallard, cl/as; Blind John Davis, p; Big Crawford, b; Jump Jackson, dr
- She's A Solid Killer Diller (D6VB 1946)
- New Bad Luck Blues (D6VB 1948)

RCA Victor
00 47….20-2432…. Tampa Red..Corinne Blues (D5AB 1202)/New Bad Luck Blues (D6VB 1948)
00 47….20-2597…. Tampa Red..Let's Try It Again (D6VB 1826)/She's A Solid Killer Diller (D6VB 1946)

September 18, 1946 in Chicago, IL
Jazz Gillum, voc; James Clark, p; Willie Lacey, g; Ransom Knowling, b; Judge Riley, dr
- I'm Not The Lad (D6VB 1952) RCA Victor 20-2120

RCA Victor
00 46….20-2120…. Jazz Gillum..I'm Not The Lad (D6VB 1952)/Long Razor Blues (D6AB 1821)

September 18, 1946 in Chicago, IL
Jazz Gillum, voc, hca; James Clark, p; Willie Lacey, g; Ransom Knowling, b; Judge Riley, dr
- Can't Trust Myself (D6VB 1951)

RCA Victor
00 47….20-2232…. Jazz Gillum..Can't Trust Myself (D6VB 1951)/All In All Blues (D6AB 1818)

Im Sommer 1946 erlitt Merriweather einen Schlaganfall, der seine rechte Seite lähmte. Von da an spielten andere Pianisten (Eddie Boyd, Johnny Jones und James Watkins) Klavier, zumindest die rechten Handpartien, auf seinen Aufnahmen

February 27, 1947 in Chicago, IL
Big Maceo, voc; Eddie Boyd, p; Tampa Red, g; Ernest "Big" Crawford, b; Charles Sanders, dr
- Broke And Hungry Blues (D7VB 338)
- It's All Over Now (D7VB 340)
- I Lost My Little Woman (D7VB 341)
- Chicago Breakdown (D5AB 1207)

RCA Victor
07 47….20-2353…. Big Maceo..My Own Troubles (D5AB 319)/I Lost My Little Woman (D7VB 341)
11 47….20-2505…. Big Maceo..I'm So Worried (D5AB 317)/It's All Over Now (D7VB 340)
00 47….20-2687…. Big Maceo..Broke And Hungry Blues (D7VB 338)/Kid Man Blues (D5AB 316)
00 47….20-2910…. Big Maceo..If You Ever Change Your Ways (D7VB 339)/Chicago Breakdown (D5AB 1207)

RCA Victor
00 49….50-0002…. Big Maceo..If You Ever Change Your Ways (D7VB 339)/Chicago Breakdown (D5AB 1207)

November 12, 1947 in Chicago, IL
Sonny Boy Williamson, voc, hca; Blind John Davis, p; Big Bill Broonzy, g; Ransom Knowling, b; Judge Riley, dr
- Rub A Dub (D7VB 1155)
- Better Cut That Out (D7VB 1156)

RCA Victor
00 47?....20-3047…. Sonny Boy Williamson..Stop Breaking Down (D5AB 398)/Rub A Dub (D7VB 1155)

RCA Victor
00 47?....20-3209…. Big Maceo..Can't You Read [Bluebird B8772]/County Jail Blues [Bluebird B8798]
00 47?....20-3218…. Sonny Boy Williamson..The Big Boat (D5AB 397)/Better Cut That Out (D7VB 1156)

December 19, 1947 in Chicago, IL
Big Bill Broonzy, voc, g; Sax Mallard, as; Bill Casimir, ts; Johnny Morton, tp; Bob Call, p; Ransom Knowling, b; Judge Riley, dr
- Stop Lying Woman (CCO 4950)

COLUMBIA
00 48….30143… BIG BILL..Partnership Woman (C 4381)/Stop Lying Woman (CCO 4950)

April 14, 1949 in Chicago, IL
Big Maceo, voc; Johnny Jones, p; Tampa Red, g; Ransom Knowling, b; Odie Payne, dr
- One Sunday Morning (BM1)
- Just Tell Me Baby (MB2)
- Do You Remember (BM3)
- Big City Blues (BM4)

SPECIALTY
00 49….320…. BIG MACEO..Do You Remember (BM3)/Big City Blues (BM4)
00 49….346…. BIG MACEO..One Sunday Morning (BM1)/Just Tell Me Baby (MB2)

c.1950 in Detroit, MI
Big Maceo Merriweather, voc, p; James Watkins, p (right hand only?); John Brim, g; Alonzo Tucker, dr
- Leaving Blues (A)
- Have You Heard About It? (B)

FORTUNE
00 50….137…. BIG MACEO MERRIWEATHER..Leaving Blues (A)/Have You Heard About It? (B)

1950 in Detroit, MI
Grace Brim, voc, hca; John Brim, g; Big Maceo Merriweather, James Watkins, p
- Strange Man (A)
- Mean Man Blues (B)
- Strange Man (alt tk) Fortune unissued

FORTUNE
00 50….801…. JOHN BRIM COMBO..Strange Man (A)/Mean Man Blues (B)

c. 1950 in Detroit, MI
John Brim, voc, g; Big Maceo Merriweather (left hand), most likely James Watkins (right hand), p
- Bus Driver Fortune unissued

c.1950 in Detroit, MI
Big Maceo Merriweather, voc, p; James Watkins, p (right hand only); John Brim, g; Alonzo Tucker, dr
- Worried Life Blues No. 2 (A)
- Strange To Me Blues (B)

FORTUNE
00 50….805…. BIG MACEO MERRIWEATHER..Worried Life Blues No. 2 (A)/Strange To Me Blues (B)

Big Maceo Merriweather, voc, p; Grace Brim, hca; James Watkins, p (right hand only); John Brim, g; Alonzo Tucker, dr
- Without You My Life Don't Mean A Thing Fortune FTS 3002
- Eloise, Don't Play Me For A Fool Fortune FTS 3012

ca. January 1952 in Chicago, IL
Big Maceo Merriweather, voc, p; James Watkins, p (right hand only); John Brim, g; Alonzo Tucker, dr
- Boogie Jump (4777) Mercury unissued
- Goin' Back (4778) Mercury unissued
- Mellow Chick (4779) Mercury unissued
- untitled (4780) Mercury unissued

1955?
Jazz Society
- First Love Blues (074042-1) [Bluebird 34-0700]
- Texas Stomp [RCA Victor 20-2028]

JAZZ SOCIETY (Fr)
00 55?....AA556…. Jazz Society..First Love Blues (074042-1)/Texas Stomp

Big Maceo Merriweather starb am 23. Februar 1953 in Chicago an einem Herzinfarkt und wurde auf dem Detroit Memorial Cemetery in Warren/Michigan beigesetzt.

Seine Aufnahmen für RCA Victor/Bluebird wurden 1975 als Doppelalbum unter dem Titel “Chicago Breakdown“ veröffentlicht. Seitdem wurden sie bei verschiedenen Labels neu aufgelegt.

2002 wurde er posthum in die Blues Hall of Fame aufgenommen.

Am 03. Mai 2008 fand das “White Lake Blues Festival“ im Howmet Playhouse Theater in Whitehall/Michigan statt. Die Veranstaltung wurde vom ausführenden Produzenten Steve Salter von der gemeinnützigen Organisation “Killer Blues“ organisiert, um Gelder zu sammeln, um Merriweathers unmarkiertes Grab mit Grabstein zu ehren. Das Konzert war ein Erfolg, und im Juni 2008 wurde ein Grabstein aufgestellt.

Gruß
Heino

weiteres .....

Heino

1949

„ If You Ever Change Your Ways“ und „Chicago Breakdown“
RCA Victor 50-0002
Ein Vinyl-Sonderling aus der Zeit mit rotem Plastik

Januar 1946

..und die Stockpressung

Hallo,
mit Dank an Dieter

Gruß
Heino