Muddy Waters - Woodstock Album

Muddy's Last Album for Chess Given A Superb Remaster by ERICK LABSON

After 27 years recording for Chess Records, this April 1975 album was Muddy's last for the label - and I think it's a bit of a forgotten gem.

PAUL BUTTERFIELD provides fabulous bluesy Harmonica throughout, PINETOP PERKINS plays piano (guest vocals also on Kansas City & Caldonia) with both GARTH HUDSON and LEVON HELM of THE BAND throwing in Keyboards/Accordion and Drums/Bass respectively. While it's a straight-up blues album for the most part, Hudson's Accordion playing gives some of the tracks a slightly swing/Cajun feel - and is a genuine surprise and treat for it too. Special mention should also go to Paul Butterfield's harmonica playing, which is fantastic throughout - clearly enthused by the mere proximity of the great man! In fact in each guest musician, you can 'feel' their affection for him right across all of the recordings.

Five of its eight tracks are Muddy Waters originals topped up with three cover versions. The three covers are Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller's peach "Kansas City", made famous by Wilbert Harrison and done by hundreds of others since, while the other two are the Louis Jordan R'n'B classics, "Let The Good Times Roll" and "Caldonia". Other contributions come from HOWARD JOHNSON on Saxophone, FRED CARTER on Bass and Guitar with BOB MARGOLIN on Guitar also - HENRY GLOVER produced the record.

This 1995 ERICK LABSON remaster has typically ace sound from one of Universal's primo engineers, while "Fox Squirrel" is a CD-only bonus track that is just that - a genuine discovery and bonus - astonishing that this McKinley Morganfield original was left off the record - nor ever used as a b-side?

"The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album" divides fans, but I feel it's a forgotten gem that deserves a rethink. And like all of his 70's recordings - I love it to bits. Test out "Going Down To Main Street" on iTunes and you'll get the idea. Enjoy! June 22, 2008

The calm before the storm.

This is not Muddy at his best. Another attempt to change his sound. In spite of the efforts of a couple of members of The Band, it comes across as a weak effort. I can't believe it won a grammy. The upside is Johnny Winter and "hard again" were just around the corner! Avoid this. You won't play it much if you do own it. April 8, 2007

Another side to Muddy

In marked contrast to the hard, aggressive sound of his work with Johnny Winter the following year, this album shows another, far more relaxed side to Muddy Waters, as he revisits old songs and launches new ones in the laid-back company of his regular sidemen and some celebrity names. Producer and songwriter Henry Glover had gone into partnership with Levon Helm from the Band and converted a barn into a recording studio called Bearsville in Turtle Creek, Woodstock NY, and the Muddy Waters sessions, recorded 6-7 February 1975, were the first fruits.
Although there is a light front-porch touch throughout the album, probably influenced by Levon Helm's subtle drumwork and Garth Hudson's distinctive organ and accordion accompaniment, there is nothing lacklustre about it, with fine contributions thoughout from local resident Paul Butterfield on harmonica and from Waters' regular piano player and vocalist Pinetop Perkins. The album kicks off with Why Are People Like That, written by Bobby Charles, another Woodstock resident. Muddy Waters switches to slide guitar for two of his own new songs, and performs Kansas City in honour of Henry Glover, who produced it for Little Willie Littlefield back in 1952 (as KC Lovin'). Louis Jordan and his Tympani Five are also remembered through versions of Caldonia and Let The Good Times Roll.
The album concludes with a previously unreleased bonus track, Fox Squirrel, a Muddy Waters composition. December 27, 2005

(3.5 stars, better than I had expected

For a long time I had delayed buying this CD because of all the bad reviews of it I read. Finally I bought it and you know what, it's a good CD.

This album finds Muddy branching out a bit and trying a different sound. Many tracks have more of a R&B feel than a Chicago blues feel. There is also some accordion, which gives some tracks a Cajun/Louisiana groove.

The musicianship is great. Muddy voice and guitar are in top shape, but I found Paul Butterfield's harp to be a bit trebly.
There is also cool organ on some tracks.

While this may not be the place to start a Muddy collection, but if you have all the earlier Chess stuff, the CBS/Blue Sky stuff and still want more, it's definitely worth a shot. April 30, 2004

i think this is great

i still think this is an superb cd unlike other reviewers i don't think it fair to compare this to fathers and sons this is different yes but you would'nt want him to keep doing the same things over & over the music & sound quality are great an easy 5 star cd a must have for a muddy fan unlike electric mud.it also has paul butterfield on it a big plus. February 21, 2004

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