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
Diskografie
5 Album, -en • Geordnet nach Bestseller
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Big Road Blues
Jazz - Erschienen bei Redwood Records am 25.04.2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Very Best of Big Maceo Merriweather
Jazz - Erschienen bei Past Classics Jazz am 18.11.2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chicago Breakdown
Jazz - Erschienen bei Redwood Records am 25.04.2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Complete Best Recordings of the King Of Chicago Blues Piano (Hd Remastered, Restored Edition, Doxy Collection)
Blues - Erschienen bei Doxy Records am 12.09.2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best of Big Maceo / The King of Chicago Blues Piano (Hd Remastered)
Blues - Erschienen bei Reborn recordings am 15.05.2019
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo