Big Maceo Merriweather
The thundering 88s of Big Maceo Merriweather helped pave the way for the great Chicago blues pianists of the 1950s -- men like Johnny Jones, Otis Spann, and Henry Gray. Unfortunately, Merriweather wouldn't be around to enjoy their innovations -- he died a few years after suffering a debilitating stroke in 1946. Major Merriweather was already a seasoned pianist when he arrived in Detroit in 1924. After working around the Motor City scene, he ventured to Chicago in 1941 to make his recording debut for producer Lester Melrose and RCA Victor's Bluebird subsidiary. His first day in the studio produced 14 tracks -- six of his own and eight more as accompanist to renowned Chicago guitarist Tampa Red. One of his initial efforts, "Worried Life Blues," has passed into blues standard status (Chuck Berry was hip to it, covering it for Chess).
Merriweather remained Tampa Red's favorite pianistic accompanist after that, gigging extensively with him and Big Bill Broonzy on Chicago's South Side. The pianist cut a series of terrific sessions as a leader for Bluebird in 1941-1942 and 1945 (the latter including his tour de force, "Chicago Breakdown") before the stroke paralyzed his right side. He tried to overcome it, cutting for Victor in 1947 with Eddie Boyd assuming piano duties and again for Specialty in 1949 with Johnny Jones at the stool. His health fading steadily after that, Merriweather died in 1953.
© Bill Dahl /TiVo
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Discografia
5 álbum(ns) • Ordenado por Mais vendidos
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Big Road Blues
Jazz - Lançado por Redwood Records em 25 de abr. de 2014
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Best of Big Maceo Merriweather
Jazz - Lançado por Past Classics Jazz em 18 de nov. de 2008
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chicago Breakdown
Jazz - Lançado por Redwood Records em 25 de abr. de 2014
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Complete Best Recordings of the King Of Chicago Blues Piano (Hd Remastered, Restored Edition, Doxy Collection)
Blues - Lançado por Doxy Records em 12 de set. de 2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best of Big Maceo / The King of Chicago Blues Piano (Hd Remastered)
Blues - Lançado por Reborn recordings em 15 de mai. de 2019
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo