Retro Chicken

Muddy Waters is easily one of the most important people in the evolution of rock n roll. Originally a blues singer and acoustic slide player from the Mississippi Delta*, he moved to Chicago, switched to electric guitar, and recorded a string of singles that ended up in the record bins in London. These recordings (along with those of Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson and others) had a major influence on many young English bands (including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Cream – to name a few) who ultimately covered many of these songs throughout their careers.

Near the end of his life, Muddy re-recorded many of his classic songs in collaboration with Texas rocker Johnny Winter (Muddy’s most famous work was recorded in the fifties when recording technology was still very primitive). Johnny Winter re-recorded Muddy performing much of his catalog in the late seventies using modern technology, but staying true to the instrumentation of the originals (e.g. no cymbals when recording drum parts) – the results are raw, powerful and a far cry from the many “tribute” sessions that were done by other rockers paying homage to their heroes. I think Muddy and Johnny did four albums together, the one I have is “Hard Again” and it is well worth the listen.

In the video clip, Muddy is singing but for some reason doesn’t have a guitar. Willie Dixon is one of the people dancing (the tall, bald man) and Johnny Winter is the blond guy with long hair.

*Muddy Waters was one of the people recorded out in the fields by the legendary Alan Lomax from the Library of Congress (the most famous of these recordings were the sessions done with Robert Johnson).