Big Maceo – The King Of The Chicago Blues – Arhoolie CD 7009 

What an astounding collection!  Representing his prolific years of 1941-1945, at the time, Maceo was the undeniable front-runner of the Chicago’s dynamic blues piano landscape.  On this 25-cut collection, Maceo is found at his most powerful best, demonstrating a striking blues piano formula.  Throughout the compilation, Maceo is joined by the great Chicago bluesman and guitarist Tampa Red, and elsewhere by additional distinguished accompanying sidemen.  Maceo’s sides offered here rank with the elite of the crop of the day’s recorded piano blues.  This commendable collection is an extensive education in genuine expertise, and unmistakably exhibits Maceo’s compelling, thrashing bravura, one that was heavily deep-rooted on bass notes that churned and shook like thunder. 

Below is the running track order of this highly essential blues collection.  It is not be absent from any creditable blues collection!

Song Titles

• Worried Life Blues
• Ramblin’ Mind Blues
• County Jail Blues
• Can’t You Read
• So Long Baby
• Texas Blues
• Tuff Luck Blues
• I Got The Blues
• Bye Bye Baby
• Poor Kelly Blues
• Some Sweet Day
• Anytime For You
• My Last Go Round
• Since You Been Gone
• Kidman Blues
• I’m So Worried
• Things Have Changed
• My Own Troubles
• Maceo’s 32-20
• Texas Stomp
• Winter Time Blues
• Detroit Jump
• Won’t Be A Fool No More
• Big Road Blues
• Chicago Breakdown