During its heyday in the early to mid 1900s, the Maxwell Street market area represented one of the most fascinating chapters in American urban history. People congregated there by the thousands to shop for bargains in stores and on pushcarts, and for piles of second hand junk and cut-out goods. The went, too, for the endless entertainment of street musicians, including many of Chicago's blues greats, hucksters, rousing preachers, street entertainers and much more. They also went there for the great food including the legendary hot dogs and Polish sausages. This multi-pac production captures the delightful atmosphere and music of Maxwell Street in its DVD, booklet and the great blues music on its CD.

The DVD includes the classic 1964 documentary on Maxwell Street, "And This Is Free," and intimate slice of life portrait capturing all the characters and flavor of the market, and "Maxwell Street - A Living Memory," a captivating look at the area's early days at the start of the century. Other sections present beautiful early photos with narration documenting them, and early film footage, including the famous chicken man. Total running time 100 minutes.

The CD features Maxwell Street blues fixtures including greats like Robert Nighthawk, Baby Face Leroy, Floyd Jones, J.B. Hutto, Big John Wrencher, Jimmie Rogers, and many more.

The 24 page, oversized booklet features a "you-are-there" perspective from various writers who spend years delighting in Maxwell Street's endless panorama of entertainment. And it also includes many beautiful period photos.