Going To New York - Jimmy Reed

Going To New York - Jimmy Reed

2:18

single, 1959

Written by Jimmy Reed

A beautiful 12-bar boogie shuffle, this song is a declaration to reach New York or bust.  Why?  Because of the big game show payouts!  "Goin' to New York, get on New York quiz show / Gotta win myself some alla that dough."  This song was written right after the uncovering of the scandals in quiz shows of the time (as documented in the 1994 movie Quiz Show), so maybe it was meant as tongue in cheek?  Terrific barrelhouse percussion keeps the song bouncing forward, with a nice harmonica solo by Reed.

Big Boss Man - Jimmy Reed

Big Boss Man - Jimmy Reed

2:50

Found Love, 1960

Written by Luther Dixon and Al Smith

A twelve bar blues, a low slinky blues, with the mask of a protest song on, but it's really just working-class resentment.  Reed growls "You ain't so big, you just tall, that's all" like it's under his breath, like he's afraid the big boss man might hear him.  A universal sentiment.  The boss has him working, won't even let him have a drink of water.  Does Jimmy rise up and give the the boss man a well-deserved punch in his smug smirking rich face?  No, he just sourly mutters that the boss man ain't so big.  Who among us hasn't put their head down, too afriad to jeopardize a steady income?