Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another side to Muddy, 27 Dec 2005
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.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 1/2 stars. Some fine moments, 10 Feb 2004
"Fathers And Sons" remains Muddy Waters' best collaboration with his many younger admirers, but his "Woodstock Album" is certainly worth a listen as well, even if Garth Hudson's accordion on songs like "Caldonia", "Funny Sounds" and "Going Down To Main Street" is a very unusual choice which doesn't suit the songs too well.I would have given this album four stars if it hadn't been for that annoying accordion, because the songs are generally very good, and Muddy Waters himself plays great slide guitar on a couple of mercifully accordion-free numbers.
"Why Are People Like That", "Born With Nothing" and "Love, Deep As The Ocean" are particularly good, featuring excellent piano playing by Pinetop Perkins, and great blues harmonica by Paul Butterfield.
Waters' take on Louis Jordan's "Let The Good Times Roll" is pretty good as well, and so is the CD bonus track "Fox Squirrel". Not too many people realize how incredibly important the drummer is in electric blues music...the reason why many contemporary blues recordings fall flat is simply because the drummer can't play the blues, resorting instead to a stale, plodding rock rhythm.
If you listen to blues drummers like Willie "Big Eyes" Smith or the great Fred Below you'll understand what I mean. They knew how to get a real swinging groove going, and fortunately the Band's Levon Helm proves to be a fine blues drummer.
This album was Helm's brainchild, and he is the main reason why it works in spite of the accordion.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Muddy's Last Album for Chess Given A Superb Remaster by ERICK LABSON, 22 Jun 2008
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 Butterfield's harmonica playing, which is fantastic throughout - clearly enthused by the mere proximity of the great blues man! In fact you can 'feel' the love of each musician towards Muddy in each and every recording.
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!
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