Big Maceo Merriweather Volume 2 (1945-1950) CD

This is the second and final volume in Document's chronological treatment of Big Maceo Merriweather's complete recorded works, and while it isn't quite as essential as the first installment, it still provides a nice glimpse of a pianist and vocalist who played a huge roll in creating the template for what would come to be known as the Chicago blues. The opening track, "Maceo's 32-20," is pretty much typical, with Maceo's limited but assured vocals riding his thundering barrelhouse piano playing, accompanied by longtime friend Tampa Red on guitar and Tyrell "Little T" Dixon on drums. The same personnel appear on the next three tracks as well, all recorded on July 5, 1945. Maceo suffered a severe stroke in 1946, however, which left his right side paralyzed, so it is truly remarkable that he returned to the studio in 1947, this time with Eddie Boyd on piano, and while Maceo contributed only vocals, Boyd copied his previous stride style so well that the middle tracks here flow seamlessly from the earlier ones, and when Johnny Jones took over on piano a year later, again, it all feels cut from the same cloth. Unfortunately, the final seven tracks on the disc, Maceo's last, cut for Fortune Records in 1950, are only of demo quality. Big Maceo played the left-hand piano parts and James Watkins played the right-hand parts for these, and while one has to admire Maceo's spunk in such a valiant effort, truthfully the fire is largely gone, and Maceo died shortly after these recordings were made. Listeners new to his work should probably check the first Document volume for a better glimpse of this very special musician in his prime, but the heartbreaking effort and courage captured on this second collection make it a very special album. ~ Steve Leggett

Recording information: Chicago, IL (07/05/1945-??/??/1950); Detroit, MI (07/05/1945-??/??/1950).

Photographers: Mike Rowe; Gary Atkinson; Paul Swinton.

Personnel: Big Maceo Merriweather (vocals, piano); Big Maceo Merriweather; Tampa Red (vocals, guitar); John Brim (guitar); James Watkins, Johnny Jones & the King Casuals (piano); Ransom Knowling (double bass); Allison Tucker, Tyrell Dixon, Charles Saunders, Odie Payne, Charles Saunders (drums); Grace Brim (harmonica); Eddie Boyd (piano).

Liner Note Author: Gillian George.