Big Maybelle - The Complete OKeh Sessions 1952-1955

Artist:

Big Maybelle

UPC:

886972504322

See Also:

Hunter, Alberta Smith, Bessie Baker, LaVern Rainey, Ma

Description:

Personnel: Big Maybelle (vocals); Leroy Kirkland, Danny Mendelsohn (conductor); James Cannady (guitar); Paul Ricci (alto saxophone); Sam "The Man" Taylor, Maurice Simon (tenor saxophone); Dave McRae, Leslie Johnakins, Heywood Henry (baritone saxophone); Alfred Cobbs, Eli Robinson, Billy Byers (trombone); Fletcher Smith, Lee Anderson, Al Williams, Ernie Hayes (piano); Grachan Moncur, Lloyd Trotman, Norman Keenan (bass); Charlie Smith, Marty Wilson, Jimmy Crawford, Hervie Lovelle (drums).
Recorded in 1952-1955. Includes liner notes by Peter Grendysa.
Digitally remastered by Vic Anesini (Sony Music Studios).
This is part of the Legacy Rhythm And Soul Series.
There`s very little that`s subtle about the room-shaking music of Big Maybelle. Decades later, the power in these 26 tracks is still palpable. With her bold, gritty sound, she comes off like nothing so much as a female Howlin` Wolf, and one can`t imagine her not being an influence on the full-throttle blues of Janis Joplin. "So Good to My Baby" features typically microphone-distorting belting from the singer, and an appropriately blazing horn section. The hit "Gabbin` Blues (Don`t Run My Business)" is a humorous tete-a-tete between Smith and a scorned female cohort. It recalls similar devices frequently employed in late-`90s R&B.
One of the most stirring cuts here is "Ocean of Tears," a percolating, minor-key tune in which Maybelle bemoans her sorrowful state with an unforgettably cathartic angst. Also impressive, though, are ballads such as "You`ll Never Know," "Ain`t No Use," and "You`ll Be Sorry," which show a pleasant, softer side to Maybelle`s craft. "Whole Lotta Shakin` Goin` On," which she took to the top of the R&B charts before Jerry Lee Lewis turned the song into a rock & roll anthem, is another standout.

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Just Want Your Love
2. So Good to My Baby
3. Gabbin` Blues (Don`t Run My Business)
4. My Country Man
5. Rain Down Rain
6. Way Back Home
7. Please Stay Away From My Sam
8. Jinny Mule
9. Send For Me
10. Maybelle`s Blues
11. I`ve Got a Feelin`
12. You`ll Never Know
13. No More Trouble Out of Me
14. My Big Mistake
15. Ain`t No Use
16. I`m Getting `Long Alright
17. You`ll Be Sorry
18. Hair Dressin` Women
19. One Monkey Don`t Stop No Show
20. Don`t Leave Poor Me
21. Ain`t to Be Played With
22. New Kind of Mambo
23. Ocean of Tears
24. Whole Lot of Shakin` Goin` On
25. Other Night, The
26. Such a Cutie

Album Information

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Blues

Subgenre:

Jump Blues

Label:

Legacy

Producer:

Bob Irwin (Compilation)

Catalog Number:

53417

Original Release Year:

1994

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Mono

Guest Artist:

Quincy Jones; Brownie McGhee; Panama Francis; Budd Johnson; Joe Wilder; Al Hall; Taft Jordan; Jerome Richardson; Mickey Baker

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