Showing posts with label Mae Bee Mae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mae Bee Mae. Show all posts

Monday, October 27, 2014

Eddie King & Mae Bee Mae - The Blues Has Got Me

Eddie King was a solid West Side Chicago blues singer and guitarist who left us in 2012.  He worked as a sideman for many prominent artists, most notably as Koko Taylor's lead guitarist for a number of years.   Following a few scattered 45s in the 60s and 70s, Eddie King only released two albums under his own leadership, this one (The Blues Has Got Me) in 1987 and Another Cow's Dead in 1997,
Both of Eddie King's albums are highly worthwhile, and Another Cow's Dead has probably received the most attention of the two.  But is is this album, The Blues Has Got Me, that has a very special place in my heart and listening rotation.   What puts this album over the top for me are the vocal contributions of Eddie King's sister, Mae Bee Mae.

I have no idea why Mae Bee Mae has not recorded very much.  If fact, I don't know any other recorded document of her.  I also do not know if she is still alive or active.   There is a lot of information about Eddie King and Mae Bee Mae up until this album was recorded in the superb detailed liner notes for this album by Robert Pruter that Black Magic has generously supplied in full online.  Check it out:  Liner Notes.

Mae Bee Mae's vocals on certain tracks like (especially) He'll Drain On You and Able Mae Bee have stuck in my head and soul since the first time I heard them.  I still play them often.  Maybe you will too.