Topic: Big Maceo Lyrics

[banjochris]

Well, I think it's a bizarre usage... 

I'm not disputing that 

[Blues Vintage]

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.

[Stuart]

Well, I think it's a bizarre usage...

"Non standard," Mr. Miller and Mr. Berry, "non standard."

[Johnm]

Stuart, I'll stick with bizarre. Harry, whatever.

[Stuart]

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!

[alyoung]

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.

[Stuart]

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.

[Johnm]

Good point re judging, Al.  I was in a crabby mood.  Sorry, Big Maceo, you were a wonderful singer and player.
All best,
Johnm

[Thomas8]

Amen

[Johnm]

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":



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

[jpeters609]

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.

[Johnm]

Thanks so much for the session information, Jeff.  I will add that when I put the song in Weeniepedia.  Thanks!
All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

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":



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

[Johnm]

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":



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

[dj]

"...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.