Maxwell Street on Sundays drew hundreds of blues performers, folk singers, and gospel singers including some of the most famous names in the blues.
Carey Bell, Mike Bloomfield, Robert Nighthawk, Big John Wrencher, Johnny Young...and rarely recorded singers Jimmy Brewer and Arvella Gray and others
were captured in the filming of "And This is Free."
"The [recently discovered]
'And This is Maxwell Street' tapes
should require a major
re-write of blues history."--Cub KodaOne of Mike Shea's original boxes of tape All of the recordings were edited for use in the film. There is not a single uninterrupted performance in the film. Miraculously, all of the original Nagra sound recordings exist in their uncut form, although the unused video portions of the film are presumed lost. An unauthorised version of a portion of the music from copies of the original tapes was released in 1980 (Robert Nighthawk: Live on Maxwell Street--1964, Rounder 2022). (Nagra still makes sound recording equipment. Visit the Nagra site for historical information.)
The superior sound of all of the originals is available again for the first time since 1964.
| VOLUME ONE | ||
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1. Johnny Young - The Sun Is Shining. (4:03) Previously unreleased | |
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2. Big John Wrencher - Can't Hold Out Much Longer (5:19) Previously unreleased. Among the earliest known recordings of Big John Wrencher. | |
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3. Carey Bell - Juke Medley (1:39) First authorised release. A precursor of the harmonica classic "Juke" performed by Carey Bell. Among the earliest known recordings of Carey Bell. |
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4. Robert Night Hawk - That's All Right (0:56) Previously unreleased | |
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5. Little Arthur King - Red Top/Ornithology (1:55) First authorised release | |
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6. Carey Bell - Maxwell Street Jam (2:36) Previously unreleased. Among the earliest known recordings of Carey Bell. | |
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7. Big John Wrencher - Lucille (5:19) Previously unreleased. Among the earliest known recordings of Big John Wrencher. |
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8. Arvella Gray - Corinna, Corinna (1:53) Previously unreleased | |
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9. Carrie Robinson - Power To Live Right (2:12) Previously unreleased | |
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10. Robert Night Hawk - Cheating and Lying Blues (4:53) First authorised release | |
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11. Robert Night Hawk - Honky Tonk (3:32) Previously unreleased | |
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12. Robert Night Hawk - Dust My Broom (4:54) Previously unreleased |
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13. Robert Night Hawk - Peter Gunn Jam (3:28) Previously unreleased | |
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14. Robert Night Hawk - I Need Love So Bad (7:01) First authorised release. First unedited release. | |
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15. Johnny Young - All I Want For My Breakfast (5:38) Previously unreleased |
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16. Robert Night Hawk - Take It Easy, Baby (4:06) First authorised release | |
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17. Unknown - Long Gone John (2:26) Previously unreleased |
| VOLUME TWO | ||
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1. Big Mojo Elem - Mama, Talk To Your Daughter (6:10) Previously unreleased. Among the earliest known recordings of Big Mojo Elem. | |
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2. Carey Bell - I'm Ready (2:39) Previously unreleased. Among the earliest known recordings of Carey Bell. | |
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3. Carey Bell - Carey'n On (2:00) Previously unreleased. Among the earliest known recordings of Carey Bell. | |
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4. James Brewer gospel group - When The Saints Go Marching In (5:46) Previously unreleased | |
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5. Robert Night Hawk - Back Off Jam (5:17) Previously unreleased | |
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6. Arvella Gray - John
Henry (6:59) Listen for the money dropping! Previously unreleased |
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7. Robert Night Hawk - Anna Lee/Sweet Black Angel (8:32) First authorised release. First unedited release. | |
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8. Big John Wrencher - Love You Tonight (4:32) Previously unreleased. Among the earliest known recordings of Big John Wrencher. | |
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9. Robert Night Hawk - The Time Have Come (5:27) First authorised release. | |
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10. Carey Bell - Cruisin' In A Cadillac (1:56) Previously unreleased. Among the earliest known recordings of Carey Bell. | |
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11. Robert Night Hawk - Honey Hush (3:57) First authorised release | |
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12. James Brewer gospel group - I'll Fly Away (6:03) Previously unreleased | |
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13. Fannie Brewer - I Shall Overcome (2:00) Previously unreleased |
