Description
Compilation – And This Is Maxwell Street – 3 Compact Disc Set
And This is Maxwell Street is an iconic compilation album that provides a vivid audio snapshot of the bustling Maxwell Street Market scene in Chicago during the early 1960s. The album was originally recorded in 1964 by Robert Nighthawk and includes performances by other blues musicians who played on the streets of the Maxwell Street market area.
Maxwell Street in Chicago was famous for its open-air market, but it also became a pivotal location for blues musicians. This area was a breeding ground for the electric blues sound that would greatly influence the development of rock music. Street performers would set up and play live, drawing large crowds and creating a dynamic, energetic atmosphere. This market was not only a trading hub but also a vital space for the cultural exchange and evolution of the blues.
The recordings were made by filmmaker Mike Shea, who was capturing footage for his documentary about the market. The album features live, raw performances directly from the street, capturing the natural reverb of the open air and the ambient sounds of the crowd and city—a true representation of the live Maxwell Street experience. The authenticity and spontaneity of these recordings are palpable, making the album a historical artifact as much as a musical collection.
Robert Nighthawk, known for his slide guitar technique and somber vocal style, is a prominent figure in this compilation. Other notable blues musicians who are featured include Carey Bell, who later became renowned as a harmonica player, and Johnny Young. These musicians played key roles in shaping the Chicago blues sound.
And This is Maxwell Street is regarded as an essential document for understanding the raw power and community spirit of the blues. It offers a direct line to the sounds and energy of a time when Chicago blues was in one of its most vibrant phases. The album is celebrated not only by blues enthusiasts but also by historians and cultural scholars who study the evolution of American music and its social contexts.
For those interested in exploring this rich vein of blues history, the album is also an important complement to viewing Shea’s documentary, providing a fuller experience of his visual and auditory documentation of Maxwell Street.
This compilation is more than just music; it’s a historical journey into the heart of Chicago’s blues scene, capturing a moment when music was an integral part of community life and cultural expression.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the original plastic seal
Rooster Records 1998
The street recordings made for ‘And This Is Free’, Mike Shea’s legendary 1964 documentary film about Chicago’s Maxwell Street.
Track Listing
DISC 1:
1. Sun Is Shining, The – Johnny Young
2. Can’t Hold Out Much Longer – Big John Wrencher
3. Juke Medley – Carey Bell
4. That’s All Right – Robert Nighthawk
5. Red Top / Ornithology – Little Arthur King
6. Maxwell Street Jam – Carey Bell
7. Lucille – Big John Wrencher
8. Corinna, Corinna – Arvella Gray
9. Power To Live Right – Carrie Robinson
10. Cheating And Lying Blues – Robert Nighthawk
11. Honky Tonk – Robert Nighthawk
12. Dust My Broom – Robert Nighthawk
13. Peter Gunn Jam – Robert Nighthawk
14. I Need Love So Bad – Robert Nighthawk
15. All I Want For My Breakfast – Johnny Young
16. Take It Easy, Baby – Robert Nighthawk
17. Long Gone John – Unknown
DISC 2:
1. Mama, Talk To Your Daughter – Big Mojo Elem
2. I’m Ready – Carey Bell
3. Carey’n On – Carey Bell
4. When The Saints Go Marching In – James Brewer Gospel Group
5. Back Off Jam – Robert Nighthawk
6. John Henry – Arvella Gray
7. Annie Lee / Sweet Black Angel – Robert Nighthawk
8. Love You Tonight – Big John Wrencher
9. Time Have Come, The – Robert Nighthawk
10. Crusin’ In A Cadillac – Carey Bell
11. Honey Hush – Robert Nighthawk
12. I’ll Fly Away – James Brewer Gospel Group
13. I Shall Overcome – Fannie Brewer
DISC 3: MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD INTERVIEWS ROBERT NIGHT HAWK:
1. Musical Introduction
2. Reel 2
3. Reel 3
4. Reel 4
5. Reel 1
