Sidney Maiden

Sidney Maiden
Born 1923
Mansfield, Louisiana, United States
Died 1970
Monroe, Louisiana, United States
Genres Country blues
Occupation(s) Harmonica player, singer and songwriter
Instruments Harmonica, vocals
Years active 1940s–1970
Associated acts K. C. Douglas

Sidney Maiden (1923 – 1970)[1] was an American country blues musician. Maiden principally played harmonica accompaniment, but also sang on some of his own recordings, in addition to writing several compositions. His best known work is "Eclipse of the Sun" (1948).

Life and career

Maiden was born in Mansfield, Louisiana, United States.[2] In the early 1940s, Maiden relocated to California and met up with K. C. Douglas. They both steadfastly stuck to playing in a country blues style, and performed in nightclubs on the West Coast. The K. C. Douglas Trio's first recording was "Mercury Boogie" (later renamed "Mercury Blues"), in 1948, which included Maiden playing the harmonica.[3] The B-side was "Eclipse of the Sun", which was also produced by the record label owner Bob Geddins, and released on his Down Town label.[2] It was Maiden's vocal on the latter track.[4]

By 1952, Maiden recorded a session for Imperial Records, where he was backed by the Blues Blowers, which included Douglas. Three years later, another Maiden track, entitled "Hurry Hurry Baby", was released on Flash Records.[2][4] This was followed in 1957, when Maiden teamed up with Al Simmons and Slim Green to record "Hand Me Down Baby" in Los Angeles.[4]

In April 1961, Maiden recorded his only album, Trouble An' Blues,[5] which was originally released by the Prestige Bluesville label, thus reuniting a partnership with Douglas that had started in the 1940s.[2][4] The same year, Arhoolie Records released an album recorded in Stockton, California, entitled Mercy Dee, by Mercy Dee Walton.[6] It featured Walton plus Maiden on harmonica, Douglas on electric guitar and Otis Cherry playing the drums.[7]

Afterwards Maiden performed occasionally in Fresno County, both as a solo performer and in various group settings.[2] His later life is largely unrecorded, although the date of his death is given by various sources as 1970.[1][8]

Discography (reissue)

Year Title Label Notes
1995 Trouble An' Blues Original Blues Classics Originally recorded on April 16, 1961

[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Sidney Maiden". Discogs.com. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Campbell, Al. "Sidney Maiden : Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  3. ↑ Leadbitter, M; Slaven, N (1987). Blues Records 1943-1970: A Selective Discography Volume 1 A-K (2nd ed.). London: Record Information Services. p. 362. ISBN 978-0907872078.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Sidney Maiden discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Sidney Maiden : Trouble An' Blues : Releases". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  6. ↑ Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues - From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. p. 180. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
  7. ↑ Bill Dahl. "Mercy Dee Walton : Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  8. ↑ "Sidney Maiden". Jukegh.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2014.

External links

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