MUDDY WATERS
Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live,
Epic Legacy Edition (Epic/Sony)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Sony Music has remastered and repackaged Muddy Waters' 1979 live LP and added a second disc of unreleased songs from the same period from arguably the most influential of post-war Chicago bluesmen. By electrifying country blues from the Delta, Muddy Waters redefined the blues. Despite some terrific ups as well as some horrific downs during a career that spanned five decades, Muddy prevailed and performed with many first-class sidemen until cancer claimed him in 1983. The Epic Legacy Edition of Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live captures Muddy just four years before his death, and he's at the top of his game. He's got his late-seventies band, and they're in fine form: Jerry Portnoy on harmonica, Luther "Guitar Jr. Johnson and Bob Margolin on guitar, Pinetop Perkins on piano and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums. Bass is divided between Calvin "Fuzz" Jones and Charles Calmese, and Johnny Winter plays guitar on the original CD (Disc One). The 11 songs on the second disc have not been heard since the late 70's, recorded over two nights at Harry Hope's in Cary, Illinois, and it's a wonder they weren't on the live disc when it was released 24 years ago. I can't think of a better introduction to Muddy Waters' music than the Epic Legacy Edition. From the music to the outstanding liner notes from Robert Gordon and "Steady Rollin'" Bob Margolin, this CD is a treat. Bob takes us back with a song by song commentary, and he should know: he was Muddy's long-time guitar player and was there when Muddy and his band first recorded these evenings of blues magic.

Track List:

Disc One (Original CD): Mannish Boy * She's Nineteen Years Old * Nine Below Zero * Streamline Woman * Howling Wolf * Baby Please Don't Go * Deep Down In Florida

Disc Two (All Previously Unreleased): Medley: After Hours / Stormy Monday Blues * Trouble No More * Champagne And Reefer * Corinna, Corinna * Hoochie Coochie Man * She Moves Me * Kansas City * Pinetop's Boogie Woogie * Mad Love (I Want You To Love Me) * Everything's Gonna Be Alright * Got My Mojo Workin'

[Pick this up at www.sonymusicstore.com.]

© 2003 - Eric Steiner