cktimes.ca Archives for Classic Vinyl


Classic Vinyl

With Allan Day

BIG MAYBELLE

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Pure Soul of Big Maybelle Album Big Maybelle Group Shot /Rufus Thomas Big Maybelle Publicity Photo
 Big Maybelle Photo

I could never begin to know all the blues singers and players that have recorded albums, singles, ep's to make their mark in the music world. When I do find a gem, I like to let the cktimes readers know what information I can gather about them. This week, I purchased my 1st Big Maybelle album---The Pure Soul of Big Maybelle on the Rojac label. This album usually sells in the $100 range for this rarely seen lp on Ebay--- I found this near mint, still in shrink wrap for my collection at a pretty good price and it now rests in my collection, until I die. Her version of 96 Tears is worth the price of the album alone and can bring a tear to your eye, if played at the right time.
 
Big Maybelle was a top selling performer around 1932 thru the 60's, singing gospel, a mix of blues and R&B ballads. Born in 1924 Maybelle Louis Smith in Jackson, Tennessee, grew up singing in the church choir---singing the blues with style and flair, she won 1st prize at the Cotton Carnival at the aged 8, then joined a all girl band called the Sweethearts of Rhythm and played dances from Mississippi to Indiana.
 
From 1936-1940, she toured with the Christine Chatman Orchestra and recorded on the Decca Label. Other gigs in the 1950's were with the Quincy Jones, Kelly Owens and Danny Mendelsohn Orchestra's. Full-figured and commanding voice, her shouting voice style, compared with Big Joe Turner, brought a R&B hit in 1953 with Gabbin Blues" "Way Back Home and My Country Man" She Made the FIRST recording for OKeh,  "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On" in 1955 which paved the way for the Jerry Lee Lewis version later on.
 
She left OKeh for the Savoy label, her version of "Candy" in 1956 brought her more success and in 1959 she appeared in Jazz on a Summer's Day---the film of the Newport Jazz Festival. Other labels she recorded for were Brunswick Records, Scepter and Chess Records---it was signing with Rojac Records in 1966 that brought her much success in the new era of Rock and Roll---covering such hits as 96 Tears, Eleanor Rigby, Mellow Yellow to name a few, brought her more attention to the younger audiences.
 
It is known that at her best, she was so strong, that Billie Holiday once refused to follow her opening act. As was the case in the 60's, she struggled with a heroin habit that later debilitated her and from the late 60's on, she performed sporadically and later in 1972, died of a diabetic coma.
 
In her short span of 47 years, this mighty belter of blues, gospel and popular ballads, voice will live on with her early recording---be sure to check out this week's youtubes for her recordings.
 
Some Great Show information this week to check out, on June 19th at The Black Swan Tavern 154 Davenforth Ave in Toronto will feature 2 floors of music from 7:30 until 12pm. 1st floor will feature Luke Gibson (Luke and  Apostles) with Mike Mckenna and 2nd floor features Dave Bingham (Ugly Ducklings) with The Cracker Jack Band--featuring the Alumni of The Hogtown R&B Academy Yorkville Campus---if your in the TO area, check out this show
 
Youtubes Big Maybelle "96 Tears" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcqhXXOR...0-k "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp11vxr_pD4&feat...lated from 1956 "Candy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpJL11UKUJk&feat...elated and this columnists cut "Black is Black" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBsBDMxRZIc&feat...elated and "What a Difference a Day Makes" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH7E8FxQPo0&feat...ure=related
 
For all you Blues lovers that like to wear your blues on your apparel, check out www.Mojohand.com some very cool blues stuff there---old blues clips, blues art to decorate your walls and much more---great blues site, tell greg i sent you there.
 
Help Preserve Canadian Music, log onto http://www.mouseholemusic.com/OttawaBan...ds.htm and you will find an amazing selection of Canadian music for sell on cd's and some waiting to be re released
 
Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl



Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.