Muddy Waters - Fathers and Sons

Show

Spoonful of Blues,

Presenter

Stephen Hall

Published

Wednesday 7th November

Label: Chess

Muddy Waters crossed the divide that separate blues and pop with his animated voice and singing guitar. His guitar work here reminds us of his influence on British groups, like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

The album was recorded with some of the best blues musicians around, including: Otis Spann (Piano), Michael Bloomfield (Guitar), Paul Butterfield (Harmonica), Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn (Bass), Sam Lay (Drums). It was recorded in Chicago in April 1969, both in a studio and live in concert at the Super Cosmic Joy-Scout Jamboree.

The band delivers with a faster than normal tempo for Waters and tunes like Long Distance Telephone Call and Got my Mojo Working‘ have an intensity that hadn’t previously been heard. The version of That Same Thing being among of the finest live blues songs ever recorded and Sail On (Honey Bee) is sublime.

Most people like blues music, fewer people love it; this is among the finest ever gathering of urban Chicago blues musicians with Muddy Waters’ fine vocals outstanding throughout. There is no cross-over distorted rock here, it is electric urban blues delivered exceptionally well.

Original Release Date: 1969