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Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: Johnm on December 03, 2014, 01:42:25 PM
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Hi all,
I've been listening a lot recently to a 2-CD set of Detroit Blues and noticed that every time a Big Maceo track came on, I was so happy to hear his music. For "County Jail", Big Maceo played piano out of Bb and was joined by Tampa Red. What a beautiful cut! I feel like there's much to be learned from this cut, in the sense that neither player is going for anything consciously innovative in what he is doing--rather they are speaking and communicating comfortably in their own ways of expressing themselves in the style. And that is more than enough, it is a treat in every way. I love everything about Big Maceo's singing, including note choices, and he sets up such a rock solid groove on the piano, heavy time, and is perfectly willing to let Tampa Red handle all of the fills and solo space, something Red was certainly perfectly qualified to do. They rock to a V7 chord in the second bar of the form, something you run into a bit less often than rocking to a IV7 chord, and it is a nice touch. Here is the track:
Big Maceo - County Jail (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAVz6kcAz3U#)
They picked me up and put me in the county jail
They picked me up and put me in the county jail
They wouldn't even let my woman come and go my bail
Now I'm in prison, but I've almost did my time
Now I'm in prison, but I've almost did my time
They give me six months, but I have to work out nine
Course, I know my baby, she's gonna jump and shout
I know my baby, she's gonna jump and shout
When that train roll up, and I come walkin' out
SOLO (Spoken: Now play 'em, Mr. Tampa)
So take these stripes from 'round me, chain 'way from 'round my leg
These stripes from 'round me, and these chains from 'round my leg
Well, these stripes don't hurt me, but these chain gonna kill me dead
All best,
Johnm
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Good choice, John. Here's a collection:
http://www.arhoolie.com/blues/big-maceo-merriweather-the-king-of-chicago-blues-piano.html?sl=EN (http://www.arhoolie.com/blues/big-maceo-merriweather-the-king-of-chicago-blues-piano.html?sl=EN)
One of my favorites is "Maceo's 32-20" -- A toss up between an ode to domestic violence and/or tender love poetry:
I first heard it back in the late 60s-early 70s on one of the LP anthologies and I was hooked.
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Yes, Stuart, "32.20" was my intro to Big Maceo's music, too. I remember it was on RBF on "The Country Blues, Vol. 2", one of the early re-issues curated by Sam Charters. I remember the same album had Luke Jordan's "Church Bell Blues" and Bo Carter's "I'm An Old Bumble Bee", along with Henry Townsend's "She's Got A Mean Disposition". Talk about a lot of meat and not many potatoes!
All best,
Johnm
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...Talk about a lot of meat and not many potatoes!
Sam certainly knew how to package the good stuff--And corrupt the youth of America in the process!
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Hi all,
Here is the performance that Stuart alluded to, "Maceo's 32-20", for which he is once again joined by Tampa Red. Maceo plays the song in G, and Tampa Red accompanies him in G position without a slide, and on an electric guitar, rather than a National. Maceo's descending signature lick on this rendition is so powerful. Here it is:
https://youtu.be/l39ez2I1Q-Y
I walked all night long, with my 32-20 in my hand
I walked all night long, with my 32-20 in my hand
Looking for my woman, well, I found her with another man
When I found that woman, they was walkin' hand in hand
When I found that woman, they was walkin' hands in hand
Well, she didn't surprise me, when I found her with another man
She started screaming, "Murder!", and I had never raised my hand
She started screaming, "Murder!", babe, and I had never raised my hand
Terrible, she know I had them covered, 'cause I had the steel right there in my hand
SOLO
I ain't no bully, and I don't go for the baddest man in town
I ain't no bully, and I ain't the baddest man in town
When I catch a man with my woman, I usually tear his playhouse down
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Big Maceo composed and recorded one of the most covered of Blues songs, "Worried Life Blues". It's an 8-bar chorus blues, and the combination of strong lyrics an audience can identify with and a good melody proved an irresistible combination. The fact that Big Maceo could sing the way he did certainly didn't hurt the song either!. Tampa Red once again shows himself to be a wonderfully sympathetic playing partner. Most of the covers of the song that I have heard change the lyric of the refrain to "But someday, baby, you ain't gonna worry my life any more". I much prefer Big Maceo's lyric--it's much more hopeless, and has an emptiness to its promise of better times ahead that is more wrenching than the changed lyric.
http://youtu.be/8vKHY0sxyZI (http://youtu.be/8vKHY0sxyZI)
Oh Lordy-Lord, oh Lordy-Lord,
It hurts me so bad for us to part
REFRAIN: But someday, baby, I ain't gonna worry my life any more
So many night since you been gone
I been worried and grievin', my life alone
REFRAIN: But someday, baby, I ain't gonna worry my life any more
So many day since you went away
I had to worry both night and day
REFRAIN: But someday, baby, I ain't gonna worry my life any more
SOLO (Spoken before solo: No, boy, I ain't gonna worry my life no more. Yeah, yeah!)
You on my mind every place I go
How much I love you, nobody knows
REFRAIN: But someday, baby, I ain't gonna worry my life any more
So that's my story, this is all I got to say to you
Goodbye, baby, and I don't care what you do
REFRAIN: But someday, baby, I ain't gonna worry my life any more
All best,
Johnm
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[For some reason,the link didn't work for me, but I found the cut on Youtube.]
I really like Big Maceo. Blues Classics put out that great double LP back in the day that got a lot of play here; I'm gonna have to dig that out. Thanks for posting that.
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Love Maceo. Also love Lightnin's early version of Worried Life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOEvqVKTYQ4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOEvqVKTYQ4)
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Here is Lightnin's earliest recorded adaptation of Worried Life Blues recorded for Aladdin in 1947. Notice how he freely changed the verses but kept the refrain and claimed authorship of the song.
http://picosong.com/XdAv (http://picosong.com/XdAv)
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Hi all,
I recently found Big Maceo's recording of "Poor Kelly Blues", from 1941, on youtube and was surprised to discover that R. L. Burnside's "See What My Buddy Done" was a cover of it. For Big Maceo's recording, he was joined by Tampa Red, and hearing those two musicians work together, I find myself thinking that they are the equal of any piano/guitar blues duet that ever recorded. The song has a striking set of lyrics and a pretty unusual phrasing scheme. For most verses, the flow is: A for the first four bars, the first half of A for the second four bars and the second half of A for the final four bars. It's an indication of the seriousness with which the duo took that song and the story it tells that they chose not to interrupt the flow of the song with a solo. Here is "Poor Kelly Blues":
https://youtu.be/wM-_c9dWIpk
INTRO
I went up on the mountain, to see what poor Kelly done, he killed his woman, and didn't even 'tempt to run
Up on the mountain, just to see what poor Kelly done
Well, he killed his woman, and he didn't even 'tempt to run
When I found poor Kelly, he was standing in the door, with a .32-20, and a .44
When I found poor Kelly, he was standing in the door
With a .32-20 and a hard-hitting .44
I asked him, was he sorry, he said, "No, buddy, no, just can't stand the way she was treatin' me anymore.
Just couldn't stand the way she was doin' me, anymore.
She's a dirty mistreater. She won't jive me no more."
He said, "I know I love her, better than I did myself. She misused me for somebody else.
She know I loved her better than I did myself.
Still, she tried to misuse me for somebody else."
"I know they gonna get me,", he said, "but I know I don't care. They may even send me to the electric chair.
I know they gonna get me, but, baby, I don't care.
There's one consolation, they won't leave my woman here."
All best,
Johnm
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I now realize that Messin' Up recorded by Lil Son Jackson for Imperial in 1955 is also a cover of this great blues song.
https://youtu.be/CaaUNBhaKaE
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Good find, Lightnin'! I had actually transcribed the lyrics to "Messin' Up" a couple of years ago when I was on a Lil Son Jackson transcribing binge, but had completely forgotten about the song since then. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some more covers of "Poor Kelly Blues" out there that we haven't discovered yet.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
For "Kid Man Blues", Big Maceo was joined by Tampa Red on guitar and Melvin Draper on drums. The song has an irresistible trucking rhythm with Tamp Red, for the most part, playing a moving bass line, eight-to-the-bar. the way the song goes to a V7 chord in the second bar makes it sound like it is going to be an 8-bar blues, but Big Maceo foxes us and goes for the 12-bar form. I sure love Big Maceo's singing. Here is the song:
https://youtu.be/byPsI9krIK0
I had a woman, I had a woman, had a mouthful of shiny gold
I had a woman, had a mouthful of shiny gold
This woman made trouble everywhere she go
She had a man, on her man, and a kid man on her kid
She had a man on her man, and a kid man on her kid
She had some many men, until she couldn't keep it hid
I left that woman, one mornin', just about, break of day
I left that woman one mornin', just about the break of day
You know, I packed my suitcase, made my get-away (Spoken: Yeah, man!)
PIANO SOLO
Here I am, in Chicago, and I'm doin' very well
Here I am in Chicago, and I'm doin' very well
I don't find the woman I love, I just live alone, by myself
Baby, you're gonna weep, and moan, fall down on your knees
You're gonna weep and moan, fall down on your knees
You gonna tell the whole world, how you mistreated me
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Wow, I just found a sensational number by Big Maceo from 1942, "Anytime For You", for which he was joined by Tampa Red and a drummer. Each verse begins with a lyric break, and when Maceo takes a solo (something he didn't do all that often), it is hilariously exciting, one of the rockingest things you're ever likely to hear. When someone plays the piano like that, it can make a guitar seem like a little toy. Here is the cut:
https://youtu.be/6qE1IbRWbVc
INTRO
I trusted in you, right from the start, you messed around until you broke my heart
REFRAIN: Any time for you, and all the time for me
Some day you're gonna be sorry, the way you treated me
You leave me in the morning, come home late at night, but have the nerve to tell me that you treated me right
REFRAIN: Any time for you, and all the time for me
Babe, you're gonna be sorry, the way you treated me
You is a liar and a cheater, too. The things you do to me is coming home to you
REFRAIN: Any time for you, and all the time for me
You're gonna be sorry, the way you treated me (Spoken: Pick 'em, boy, pick 'em!)
SOLO
Pack up your clothes and get out of my flat, and let my doorknob hit you in your back
REFRAIN: Any time for you, and all the time for me
You're gonna be sorry, the way you treated me
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
For his "Big Road Blues", recorded in 1945, Big Maceo was joined by Tampa Red on guitar. Their duo is surely one of the finest piano-guitar pairings ever recorded in the blues. Tampa Red, especially in his fills, sounds really modern here, with some beautiful distortion on his electric guitar. Here is the song:
https://youtu.be/6ugkiPjGN4c
INTRO
Babe, I ain't going down, that big road all by myself
Baby, I ain't going down, that big road all by myself
If I can't take you, baby, I'll just have to take somebody else
I love you, baby, and I want you by my side
I love you, baby, and I want you by my side
If I don't love you, baby, well, I declare I hope to die
Whoo-ee, baby, please come and go with me
Whoo-ee, baby, please come and go with me
If you go with me, baby, I'll try and be as kind as I can be (Spoken: Lay it on me, boy!)
GUITAR SOLO (Spoken during solo: I hear you, Tampa, I hear you, man.)
Hey, baby, it's a long old lonesome road
Hey, baby, it's a long old lonesome road
If you can't go with me, baby, somebody else will have to go
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
"It's All Up To You", from 1941, has Big Maceo paired with Tampa Red, and it must be one of their earliest collaborations on record. They already had things worked out perfectly, and Big Maceo's vocal speaks to the grown-ups in the audience--it just deals with real stuff. Here is the track:
https://youtu.be/pxof5TUF0b4
INTRO
I'm so disgusted, and broken-hearted, too
I'm so disgusted, and broken-hearted, too
Though I'm disappointed in your love, baby, that's all right for you
There's no need of you lyin', babe, you know I've been good to you
There's no need of you lyin', babe, you know I've been good to you
But I'm leavin' you now, babe, go do what you want to do
You know I had a good woman, and she was so kind and true
Yes, Lord, she was so kind and true
I even let her down, all on the account of you (Spoken: Yes, pick 'em for me, boy!)
SOLO (Spoken: Yes, get off of my back, blues! I'm gonna see my little woman now.)
But she's willing to forgive me, so I leave it all up to you
Yea-a-a-ah, to forgive, and I leave it all up to you
She told me when I was leavin', that your love wasn' really true
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Big Maceo and Tampa Red recorded a rocking novelty number, "Can't You Read?", in 1941. Maceo has so much fun with the vocal, messing around with his voice. When you can groove like this, you don't have to do much more, instrumentally. Here is the song:
https://youtu.be/ufwlwBK0rDg
PIANO INTRO
'Way back in the nineteen hundred and ten,
The monkey and the baboon, they came walkin' in
The monkey told the baboon, "Let's shoot a game of pool."
The monkey could shoot, but the baboon wasn't no fool
Next thing came along was a little mule, he say,
"You know, I'm so mad, I even can't wear no shoe."
Next thing came along, there was Mr. Cat,
"We ain't gon' have no such a stuff goin' on here like that."
Next thing came, was a little mouse,
"Let's all get drunk and break up the doggone house!"
REFRAIN: Can't you read? Now, can't you read?
If you keep on readin', I'm bound to put you out
Well, the monkey and the elephant, they went out for a little drive.
The elephant hit the monkey right square in his eye.
The monkey looked up with a tear and a sigh,
Said, "Look-a-here, big boy, you oughta get someone your size.
One of these days, I'm gonna climb me a tree.
Remember, big boy, you got to march right under me.
When you march under me, you better march careful and fast.
I'll get me a limb and break it 'cross your . . . ."
REFRAIN: Now can't you read? Now, can't you read?
If you keep on readin', I'm bound to put you out
If anybody just happen to ast you where the wedding gonna be
Tell 'em, right down there on Hasting Street
Go down there just about the end of the week
You can get 'most anything that you care to eat
If you don't like s'rimp, just name your dish
The will even serve you some of that old 'filte fish
REFRAIN: Now can't you read? Now, can't you read?
If you keep on readin', mama, I'm bound to put you out
GUITAR/PIANO SOLO (Spoken before solo: Yeah, play it Mr. Maceo!)
Well, fifteen cents, you know, that's their regular price
If you got two bits, they will even serve you twice
REFRAIN: Can't you read? Now, can't you read?
If you keep on readin', I'm bound to put you out
Edited 12/19/18 to pick up correction from Johnm
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Big Maceo was joined by Tampa Red and a drummer for "Winter Time Blues", from 1945. Red is playing in standard tuning here, on an electric guitar, and starts out the first verse with a Robert Johnsonesque move, taking a I7 chord in the treble down one-half step to get a I dim7 chord. Big Maceo always sang so great, and what a terrific set of lyrics this is. Here is "Winter Time Blues":
https://youtu.be/VlM8G_i8TbQ
INTRO
Hello, baby, how you feel today? I want to talk with you, baby, before I go away
Have you got time, baby, to have a little talk with me?
Winter time is coming, and I'm worried as a man can be
My overcoat's in pawn, baby, and I haven't got a dime. Winter time is coming, and it's worryin' my mind
Ain't it a shame, baby, the way you treatin' me?
I'm blue and disgusted, worried as a man can be
Winter time is coming, getting colder every day. Well, I done got tired of being treated this-a-way
So tell me, baby, tell me, what have you got to say?
You better say it now, baby, and then I will be on my way
GUITAR/PIANO SOLO (Spoken: Play your racket, boy, lay a racket. Yes, I know!)
So long, baby, if that's what you got to say, but someday you'll need me, and I'll be far away
Then you'll be worried, worried as a gal can be
Then you'll want to tell the whole world, just what you did to me
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
A number of tracks from Big Maceo's last recording session, made in Detroit in 1950, are included on the JSP set, "Detroit Blues". Big Maceo was joined on the session by John Brim on electric guitar, Alonso Tucker on drums, and on some tracks, Grace Brim on harmonica. Big Maceo's vocals sound a little wan here--he does not sound well, and evidently had had a series of strokes prior to the session, but his singing is still wonderfully musical, and soulful. He's not coming from a place of physical power, as on his early recordings, but rather what appears to be a conscious feeling of diminishment that is very affecting. Here are the lyrics to his "Worried Life Blues No.2" from that session, and here is the track:
https://youtu.be/UMdnMkPW42I
INTRO
Just tell me, baby, just tell me, baby, what can I do to change your mind?
Hey, hey, baby, can I change your mind?
I got the freight train blues, and the tracks is out of line
You said you love me, and I believed in you. You're tryin' to quit me, what more can I do?
Hey, hey, baby, what more can I do?
Some old day you're gonna want me, and I won't care a thing about you
You got a man in the East, a man in the West, I'm just sittin' here wondering who you love the best
Hey, hey, baby, what can I do to change your mind?
I got the blues for you, baby, you keep me worried all the time
GUITAR SOLO (Spoken: Hit 'em, boys, pick 'em real fast! Ee-yow! Umm-hmm.)
I been lovin' you, baby, I been lovin' you, baby. Just tell me, what more can I do?
Hey, hey, what more can I do?
Good bye, good bye, baby, I am leaving you
All best,
Johnm
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Also on the Worried Life Blues #2 session was James Watkins, who -- according to the Blues Discography 1943-70 (and other sources) -- played the right-hand piano part, as Maceo's strokes had affected his ability to play the piano.
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Hi Al,
The presence of Watkins was questioned on the disc that I have because it was considered that the treble playing of the piano sounded sufficiently shaky that Big Maceo may have been playing it after all.
All best,
Johnm
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On the label of the original 78 rpm record on Fortune, both Maceo and James Watkins are listed on piano. There are alternate takes from this session on which Watkins is not listed (and on which one does not hear the treble keys being played). Watkins also played on a few of John Lee Hooker's very earliest combo recordings from the same time.
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Hi all,
Another song from the same session as "Worried Life Blues, No. 2" is "Big City Blues", with Big Maceo, John Brim on guitar, and possibly James Watkins playing the piano part's right hand. Maceo sings wonderfully as usual, despite sounding unwell. Here is "Big City Blues" (along with an inexplicable picture of John Hurt):
https://youtu.be/crifQbt177A
INTRO
When I was in your city, nothing never worrying me
When I was in your city, nothing never worrying me
Because I had plenty money, and everything a poor man need
When you got money, you can have every woman in town
When you got money, you can have every woman in town
If you don't have no money, no woman don't want you around
SOLO (Spoken: Hey!)
Since I left your city, now you have throwed me down
Since I left your city, now you have throwed me down
Look like you would write me, or send me a telegram
All best,
Johnm
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Big Maceo – I’m So Worried
Recorded February 26, 1945 in Chicago with Tampa Red (Guitar) and Melvin Draper (Drums).
https://youtu.be/zY9FY2Y7S4U
I’m so worried I’m so blue
Sometime I wonder what I’m goin’ to do
But you goin’ to be sorry by worry me the way you do
I did all I could to be nice and kind
I ain’t goin’ to let you worry my mind
But you goin’ to be sorry by treating me the way you do
When I first met you you was so nice and gay
Now look at you baby honey how you have changed your way
But you goin’ to be sorry by worry me the way you do
I hate to leave you but it’s best to go
I ain’t goin’ to let you worry me anymore
You goin’ to be sorry by treating me the way you do
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Big Maceo – Things Have Changed
Same session
https://youtu.be/la3mvuuAiMQ
Here’s something baby I would like for you to know
The way you have treated me it won’t work no more
Cause things have changed I don’t have to worry about you anymore
You told me that you loved me baby I thought it was true
You caused me to misuse my home all on the count of you
But things have changed I don’t have to worry about you anymore
I know you were lying when you lay down cross my bed
Drinking that old I. W. Harper and talking all out your head
But things have changed I don’t have to worry about you anymore
I used to stay so worried I used to be so blue
But all of my worries was on the count of you
But things have changed I don’t have to worry about you anymore
So bye bye baby yes I am through with you
But if you don’t stop your lying it may be the death of you
But I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about you anymore
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Thanks for posting these transcriptions, Harry. What she was drinking in "Things Have Changed" was I. W. Harper, which is a bourbon, and a candidate for the brand name category.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John. I see there already up on weeniepedia. But I'm hearing by instead of 'bout on "I'm So Worried" (third line).
On "Maceo's 32-20" 3.3 (a transcription you did) I hear Tampa instead of terrible.
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"By" makes no sense in vernacular American English there, Harry. It's not what he would say. You're not going to be sorry "by" anything. Thanks for the catch on "32.20", I'll make the correction.
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I hear "by" on "I'm So Worried" as well, and it's a bit odd, but I think it makes sense in this way: not that she will regret her behavior so much as that she will regret the consequences of it. By treating him badly, it's implied he will make her sorry.
Chris
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Well, I think it's a bizarre usage, but if you guys both hear it, I'll make the change in the Weeniepedia version.
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Well, I think it's a bizarre usage...
I'm not disputing that :D
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John,
Big City Blues (1949) was not from the same session as Worried Life Blues No. 2 (1950).
The personnel on Big City Blues was; Big Maceo, voc; Johnny Jones, p; Tampa Red, g; Ransom Knowling, b; Odie Payne, dr
Confirmed by both Document Records and Wirz.
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Well, I think it's a bizarre usage...
"Non standard," Mr. Miller and Mr. Berry, "non standard." ;D
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Stuart, I'll stick with bizarre. Harry, whatever.
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Hi John: I spent part of the morning riding the bus up and down Aurora Ave. (Adventures in public transportation). Needless to say, my frame of reference re: what is bizarre shifted somewhat. I'm now going through a process of readjustment. Enjoy Bellingham!
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Not bizarre. A bit uncommon, but I've come across it elsewhere in blues and/or gospel; unfortunately I can't recall any right now.
Look at it this way ... "You'll be happy by doing this" ... OK. "You'll be sorry by doing this" ... not OK??
There are many other unusual African American useages, and they do crop up in lyrics.We have to simply accept them as legitimate figures of speech, rather than reaching for the lexicon of judgment.
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Look at it this way ... "You'll be happy by doing this" ... OK. "You'll be sorry by doing this" ... not OK??...
Or changing the word order: "By doing this, you'll be happy." "By doing this, you'll be sorry."
Perhaps awkward sounding to some, but certainly understandable.
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Good point re judging, Al. I was in a crabby mood. Sorry, Big Maceo, you were a wonderful singer and player.
All best,
Johnm
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Amen :D
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Hi all,
I don't have any session information on the recording date or backing musicians for Big Maceo on "Since You Been Gone", but he sounds as though, at the very least, he has Tampa Red and a drummer with him. The lyric structure of the song is a bit unusual, in that the verses utilize an AAB structure with the B line being a refrain. Usually, when there is a chorus in a blues, it arrives on the IV chord. I sure love Big Maceo's singing. Here is "Since You Been Gone":
https://youtu.be/dP-kH7bPyGU
INTRO
I lost a good woman, and I grieve both night and day
I lost a good woman, and I grieve both night and day
REFRAIN: I get the blues for my baby, ever since she been gone away
I'm so unhappy, mama, when I used to be so gay
I'm so unhappy, baby, when I used to be so gay
REFRAIN: I get the blues for my baby, ever since she been gone away
I watches the sun when it rise, until it fades away
I watch the sun when it rise, until it fades away
REFRAIN: I get the blues for my baby, ever since she been gone away
PIANO SOLO (Spoken: Yeah, boy!)
Just as long as I live, you will always hear me say
Just as long as I live, mama, you will always hear me say
REFRAIN: I get the blues for my baby, ever since she been gone away
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks, John. As a Detroiter, I am particularly fond of Big Maceo. For this recording, it's Tampa Red on guitar and Clifford Jones on drums, recorded in Chicago on July 28, 1942.
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Thanks so much for the session information, Jeff. I will add that when I put the song in Weeniepedia. Thanks!
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Big Maceo recorded "Ramblin' Mind Blues" at his first recording session, in Chicago on June 24, 1941. He was backed by Tampa Red on guitar and Ransom Knowling on bass. Maceo played the song in C on the piano, and Tampa, tuned down to accommodate that, sounds a little less smooth than usual, though mighty fine. Here is "Ramblin' Mind Blues":
https://youtu.be/epQ0U-m2wH4
INTRO
Well I woke up this morning, with ramblin' on my mind
Well I woke up this morning, with ramblin' on my mind
Well my babe had quit me, and I couldn't hardly keep from cryin'
She brought me up North, when I was just out of school
She brought me up North, when I was just out of school
Since she got me up North, she tried to play me for a fool
When a woman says she loves you, man, don't pay that no mind
When a woman says she loves you, man, don't pay that no mind
She'll have you out of your home, just like I'm out of mine
SOLO
When you see me leavin', hang crepe on your door
When you see me leavin', hang crepe on your door
Well, I won't be dead, but I ain't comin' here no more
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Big Maceo recorded "Texas Blues" at his first session, once again backed by Tampa Red on guitar and Ransom Knowling on bass, and playing and singing in G. Maceo played such a great fill after the first line of the second verse. I'd very much appreciate correction/corroboration or explanation of the end of the tagline to the second verse; if I have that transcribed right, I don't know what Maceo was talking about. A lot of what Tampa Red plays, especially on his solo, makes it sound as though he was playing in standard tuning rather than Vestapol, I can't quite decide which tuning he's in here. Here is "Texas Blues":
https://youtu.be/5_epdA9EbD0
INTRO
My home's in Texas, what am I doing up here?
My home's in Texas, what am I doing up here?
Yes, my good corn whiskey, baby, and women brought me here
Well, I'm going back to Texas, just to ride this Texas train
I'm going back to Texas, just to ride this Texas train
I'm going to Texas, just to be on the devil's rein
I love Texas, that is the place for me
I love Texas, that is the place for me
I got a sweet gal there that means so much to me (Spoken: Aw, pick 'em, Mr. Maceo!)
SOLO
When I left Texas, well, she begged me not to go
When I left Texas, well, she begged me not to go
But if I ever get back to Texas, babe, I won't be bad no more
All best,
Johnm
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"...just to be on the Devil's rein" sounds right to me. I think what Maceo is saying is that he'll control his bad side by having the Devil on a rein, like you control a horse by having it on a rein.
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Thanks for the help, dj. The sound seemed right, but I couldn't make sense of the expression. What you say makes a lot of sense. That's a new idiom to me.
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Hi all,
For "So Long Baby", also recorded at Big Maceo's first recording session, he accompanied himself in G, and was once again joined by Tampa Red and Ransom Knowling. What a great song this is, and Big Maceo's singing of it could not be improved upon in any way. The song has an unusual lyric scansion, especially in the first line of each verse, and an exceptionally pretty melody. It's quite innovative, and I don't recall hearing a blues that phrased like this one or had a melody that worked with the chords this way, either. Here is "So Long Baby":
https://youtu.be/M_-Q6q7pSpw
INTRO
I'm worried in mind, stay worried all the time, some day I'll be satisfied
It's your time now, but it's my time after awhile
'Cause if things don't get no better, I'm gonna move on down the line
'Cause when you was my baby, I treated you nice and kind, but baby, I have changed my mind
I was crazy 'bout you, baby, crazy as a man could be
So now when I leave you now, baby, don't try and follow me
You gonna wake up one of these mornings and it ain't gonna be long, and look for me and I will be gone
So bye, bye, baby, babe, you know you done me wrong
So try your best to forget, that I ever held you in my arms (Spoken: Yes, yes yes!)
SOLO
You gone worry 'bout me, one of these old lonesome days, and your daddy'll be far away
So long, baby, then, sweetheart, I'll soon be on my way
You going to be sorry that you let me go astray
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Big Maceo recorded "Tuff Luck Blues" at a his second session, in Chicago on December 19, 1941, and was joined by Tampa Red on guitar and Alfred Elkins on imitation bass for the session. Maceo accompanied himself out of Bb for the song. What an outstanding singer and blues songwriter he was! I suppose there may have been someone else around this time who was writing blues songs of a similar caliber, but it's hard to imagine anybody writing anything better than the songs Maceo was writing in this period. Tampa Red doesn't sound like he's playing slide here, but is capoed up, playing out of E position in standard tuning. Here is "Tuff Luck Blues":
https://youtu.be/MWPV5v0snzY
INTRO
It's too bad, things are going so tough with me
It's too bad, things are going so tough with me
I'm blue and disgusted, as any poor man could be
I used to have a car, and it was painted white and black
I used to have a car, and it was painted white and black
I couldn't keep up the payments, and that man, he took it back
I used to smoke cigars, the very best in town, but bad luck and trouble is 'bout to tear me down
It's too bad, things are going so tough with me
I guess I'll go back to my plow, and start holl'in', "Whoa, haw, gee." (Spoken: Play 'em for me, boy, play 'em for me!)
SOLO (Spoken: You know my gal quit me. I'm sure in hard luck! Git it and git it good, now! Yes, I know! I have so much trouble.)
The woman that I'm lovin', she followin' me all around, I can tell by her action, she 'bout to put me down
It's too bad, things are going so tough with me
You have heard my story, peoples, what you think of me?
All best,
Johnm
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Come On Home
Big Maceo – Vocals, Piano
Tampa Red – Guitar
Tyrell Dixon – Drums
Chicago, Illinois
July 5, 1945
Piano in G
https://youtu.be/n7oJHynuFsI
Come home baby mama come on home to me
Come home baby mama come on home to me
I’ll stop my runnin’ ‘round and I’ll try and be as kind as I can be
If you come home baby mama let’s start all over again
Come home baby let’s start all over again
You know we love each other so let’s try and stick out until the end
Come home baby mama and I’ll tell you what I’ll do
Come home baby mama and I’ll tell you what I’ll do
I’ll beg steal and borrow baby and bring it on home to you
When it rains and it's sleetin' mama and I’m lookin’ through my window pane
When it rains and sleetin' mama I’m lookin’ through my window pane
How much I love you well it’s enough to drive me insane
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What a Sound!
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..rains and sleeting'...?
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Verse 4:
When it rains and it's sleetin' mama and I’m lookin’ through my window pane
When it rains and sleetin' mama I’m lookin’ through my window pane
How much I love you, well it’s enough to drive me insane
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Thanks for posting the song, Harry. I agree with Thomas--what a sound! Big Maceo could do no wrong, as far as I'm concerned. It would be interesting to know if Tampa Red's transition from playing slide to conventional fretting in standard tuning was instigated by himself, Big Maceo or some A&R guy. I don't reckon there's any way to find out now, unless he was interviewed and asked that around the time he did the two Prestige Bluesville albums in the early '60s.
All best,
Johnm
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The liner notes for Big Maceo's Arhoolie double LP can be found here:
https://folkways-media.si.edu/liner_notes/arhoolie/ARH07009.pdf (https://folkways-media.si.edu/liner_notes/arhoolie/ARH07009.pdf)
Still available as a CD from Down home music or a download from Smithsonian Folkways. Great stuff.
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Thanks Prof and dj.
Big Maceo and Tampa Red had such great chemistry. In same league as a blues duo as McGhee/Terry and Carr/Blackwell in my book.
Michael Bloomfield visited Tampa in the early 60s during his road trip with Big Joe Williams. I don't know if there's a interview transcript somewhere or if they did a interview at all.
Tampa might be the first musician who recorded distorted electric guitar.
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Won't Be A Fool No More
“Biggie fool” in the last line of each verse?
Big Maceo – Vocals, Piano
Tampa Red – Guitar
Melvin Draper – Drums
Chicago, Illinois
Febraury 26, 1945
Piano in G
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwuqNGvcPWY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwuqNGvcPWY)
If I had a listened to what the people say
I would a had me a good home today
I’m so unhappy I ain’t got no place to go
But if I ever get lucky I won’t be that big a fool no more
Everything I do look like I do it wrong
Sometime I hate the day that I ever was born
I’m so disgusted I ain’t got no place to go
But if I ever get lucky I won’t be that big a fool no more
I don’t have no money and no place to go
The good book say you got to reap just what you sow
So I’m broke and hungry ramblin’ from door to door
But if I ever get lucky I won’t be that big a fool no more
Though I hate to leave you but I will be on my way
We will meet again when we’ll have a better day
I’m so unhappy I ain’t got no place to go
But if I ever get lucky I won’t let me be a big a fool no more
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Hi Harry,
I think he is saying "big a fool", as in, "I won't be as big a fool as that no more.". Other changes:
2.1 Everything I do, look like I do IT wrong
4.1 Though I hate to LEAVE you
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John
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I gotta say, listening to Tampa Red's guitar on the previous two recordings, he gets line honors for recording upper harmonic distortion. Not Grady Martin, or Les Paul, Paul Burlison, or any of the others often credited with 'inventing' it. It's subtle, and that's good.
I know this is an endless discussion but listen to Tampa's guitar on those two tracks, 10 years before the fabled Johnny Burnette recordings.
This is a lyrics thread though. So back to the lyrics, and sorry for the OT observation.
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Not a problem to me to stray away from topic for a brief moment.
Junior Barnard, a guitarist with Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys recorded "Barnard Blues" with distortion (December 30, 1947).
This is the first "official" distorted guitar recording. Junior crafted his own set of humbucking pickups and pushed his amp into overdrive.
Sounds like white boy blues to me. Tampa's guitar still sounded dirtier two years prior.
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Just Tell Me Baby
Big Maceo - Vocals
Johnny Jones - Piano
Tampa Red - Guitar
Ransom Knowling - Bass
Odie Payne - Drums
April 14, 1949
Chicago, Illinois
Piano in G
Guitar in standard tuning
https://youtu.be/DYn-PNqrq-M
INTRO
Just tell me baby, why you so mean to me
Just tell me baby, why you so mean to me
You’s a mean mistreater, as evil as you can be
You told me that you loved me, and I believed in you
You told me that you loved me, and I believed in you
Now, you have left me, baby, what am I goin’ to do
GUITAR/PIANO SOLO (Spoken: Yeah, yeah, yeah)
I was your friend, it been many years ago
I was your friend, it been many years ago
If you didn’t want me, baby, you should have told me so
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Hi all,
I recently found Big Maceo's recording of "Poor Kelly Blues", from 1941, on youtube and was surprised to discover that R. L. Burnside's "See What My Buddy Done" was a cover of it. For Big Maceo's recording, he was joined by Tampa Red, and hearing those two musicians work together, I find myself thinking that they are the equal of any piano/guitar blues duet that ever recorded. The song has a striking set of lyrics and a pretty unusual phrasing scheme. For most verses, the flow is: A for the first four bars, the first half of A for the second four bars and the second half of A for the final four bars. It's an indication of the seriousness with which the duo took that song and the story it tells that they chose not to interrupt the flow of the song with a solo. Here is "Poor Kelly Blues":
https://youtu.be/bC4LmUiITzg
INTRO
I went up on the mountain, to see what poor Kelly done, he killed his woman, and didn't even 'tempt to run
Up on the mountain, just to see what poor Kelly done
Well, he killed his woman, and he didn't even 'tempt to run
When I found poor Kelly, he was standing in the door, with a .32-20, and a .44
When I found poor Kelly, he was standing in the door
With a .32-20 and a hard-hitting .44
I asked him, was he sorry, he said, "No, buddy, no, just can't stand the way she was treatin' me anymore.
Just couldn't stand the way she was doin' me, anymore.
She's a dirty mistreater. She won't jive me no more."
He said, "I know I love her, better than I did myself. She misused me for somebody else.
She know I loved her better than I did myself.
Still, she tried to misuse me for somebody else."
"I know they gonna get me,", he said, "but I know I don't care. They may even send me to the electric chair.
I know they gonna get me, but, baby, I don't care.
There's one consolation, they won't leave my woman here."
All best,
Johnm
I'm playing this song but one thing bugs me.
In the 4th verse 4.1 he's singing I know I love her
In the 4th verse 4.2 he's singing She know I loved her
Both make sense but did Maceo really meant to sing this or did he mess up I and she by accident?
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Hi Blues Vintage,
The way he sings the entire verse makes me think he sang it exactly the way that he intended to sing it. He starts out testifying to his own love, and in the second line indicates she was aware of that love, too. He has no hesitation or stuttering or attempting to right a mistake. That's just how it strikes me, anyway.
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Hi all,
Big Maceo recorded "Why Should I Hang Around?" at a session in Chicago on December 19, 1941 for which he was joined by Tampa Red on guitar and Alfred Elkins on imitation bass. Big Maceo accompanied himself in Bb and Tampa Red sounds as though he was accompanying him out of G position in standard tuning, capoed up. As usual, Big Maceo's singing is just great. Here is "Why Should I Hang Around?":
https://youtu.be/wVX2QC6_fH0
INTRO
I just don't know, what's this all about? (Spoken: What is it all about, boys?)
I just don't know, what's this all, all about?
The woman I love, is trying to put me out
She says she didn't want me, why should I hang around?
Hey-ey, why should I hang around?
And that if I hang around, I would be jailhouse bound
I love that woman, more than she will ever know (Spoken: Yes, I love her!)
Hey-ey baby, more than you will ever know
But if you drive me away, I won't be back no more
I stole that woman, stole her from my best friend
Yeah-eah, see-ee from my best friend
But that old fool's so darn lucky, he's 'bout to get her back again
CODA
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Big Maceo recorded "My Last Go Round" at a session in Chicago on July 28, 1942, accompanied by Tampa Red playing slide (sparingly) in Vestapol and Clifford Jones on drums. Maceo played the piano in G. For some reason, the record was not originally issued by Bluebird and was first released in the re-issue era. Maybe it was because Maceo sang different endings to a couple of the second lines of his verses--there are no obvious glitches apart from that. Here is "My Last Go Round":
https://youtu.be/z117nhh2-Mo
INTRO
Babe, I'm on my last go-round, and I hate to say goodbye
Babe, I'm on my last go-round, but it's time to say goodbye
Since you did what you wanta do, baby, and I guess you satisfied
Since you got me grievin', babe, and I'm scared to say goodbye
You got me grievin', baby, and I'm scared to say goodbye
Well I got to leave you, baby, and it ain't no use to cry
You started me to drinkin', baby, drinkin' both night and day
And you started me to drinkin', baby, and runnin' from town to town
You know I had a good woman, but you made her throw me down
SOLO
Hey, you made me drunk on Sunday, just to play me for your clown
Baby, you make me drunk on Sunday, just to play me for your clown
Ba', you know I meant you all the good, but you tryin' to tear me down
CODA
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Big Maceo recorded "Bye, Bye, Baby" in Chicago on December 14, 1941, backed by Tampa Red and an almost inaudible Alfred Elkins on imitation bass, accompanying himself on piano in B flat. Here is "Bye, Bye, Baby":
https://youtu.be/TEYYqOm0N8c
INTRO
My baby treat me so mean, I don't know right from wrong
My baby treat me so mean, I don't know right from wrong
I'm here today, but tomorrow I may be gone
I have so much trouble, until I don't know what to do
I have so much trouble, until I don't know what to do
The way you treat me, baby, is coming home to you
Because I'm dogged around, baby, and driven from door to door
Yea-eah, baby, and driven from door to door
But I raise my hand, I won't be dogged no more (Spoken: Now boy, let's get that thing!)
SOLO
So goodbye, baby, yes, I'm leavin' now
So bye-bye, baby, babe, I am leavin' now
Because you don't mean, me no good nohow
CODA
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks to Blues Vintage, who corrected the key of "Bye, Bye, Baby" to B flat. Thanks for the catch!