Customer Reviews

The London Muddy Waters Sessions

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Back in the early 1970s, Chess Records sent all of their major recording artists over to London to record. Muddy Waters was no exception to this gimmick. Muddy works here with a mixture of some of his regular band members and some young British rockers. The results are good, if not essential. Muddy had recorded most of these songs before, in superior versions. Not that these versions are bad, they are just lacking when compared to the original versions. Most of the songs here are given a more "contemporary" (circa 1970) feel to them, with mixed results. This is a pretty good album, but I would recommend starting with Muddy's older, "classic" material before you work your way up to this one.

I don't know quite what's happening here, but, the guy sounds almost...happy. This is certainly not your typical or quintessential Muddy Waters' work, and that's fine - cuz it's a hell of a lot of fun.

This album plays a little like Muddy Waters covering B.B. King - full arrangements, loud energy and a strangely happy feel. Which is fun.

If anything, this album is a snapshot of Muddy in a rare mood. Something like catching Hitler shaving his legs, only infinitely more pleasant.

Apparently the whole series of London Sessions was like that - groupings of musicians brought together to see what might happen. I have heard much good about the Howling Wolf session.

Steve Windood (of all people) joins Muddy on a number of cuts off this album, though his influence is not readily apparent.

If I had a complaint, and I guess I do, it is that the cuts on this album all end in fade outs, suggesting that the actual sessions went on longer. I'd have gladly paid more for a double album that included these cuts in their entirety.

Still, it's loads of fun.

Some of the reviews here are waaay too generous, so don't get your hopes up about the quality of this album. One reviewer refers to it as the best blues album of all time: Heck, I can name 10 or 12 other MUDDY WATERS albums that has this beat hands down! Muddy's vocals sound tired, the material is sub-par, and the band isn't particularly good, although Rory Gallagher gets off a few good solos. The organ playing is horrid--and absolutely unnecessary. The album cover art gives a pretty good indication that this wasn't a very serious Muddy Waters blues album. You can steer clear of this one, unless you have all of Muddy's classic stuff and are interested in hearing him on an "off-night."

Muddy Waters London Sessions is part of a multi-CD collection that Chess put out that includes this CD, Howlin' Wolf London Sessions, and Muddy Water's Fathers and Sons album. Of the set, this is the weakest CD. The other two are excellent. The songs come off flat, Muddy un-inspired and the added horn arrangements do nothing to improve the situation. As mentioned the Howlin' Wolf session is excellent and the half studio\half live Fathers and Sons is a must own for any blues\Muddy fan. This is for collectors only.

Beginning in the late 50's US Bluesmen were invited to London to be paired up with London musicians for what became known as the London Sessions. Those bluemen included the likes of Big Bill Broonzy, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and even rock and roller Chuck Berry. On this disc Muddy is paired with Irish great Rory Gallagher, Steve Winwood and Carey Bell to name a few. The result is absolutely fantastic. Those unfamiliar with the work of Rory Gallagher would be well served to listen to the guitar work on "Young Fashioned Ways" or "Who's Gonna Be Your Sweet Man When I'm Gone" which Rory later release on his own album as simply, "I Wonder Who". Not a bad tune on the disc. Hopefully, Chess will remaster this CD and include some of the previously unreleased material from these sessions as they did recently on Muddy's "Fathers and Sons" which features Muddy with Mike Bloomfield and Paul Butterfield. No serious collection can be complete without either of these great releases.

It's difficult to compare the "London Sessions" recordings of selected blues greats, but this one has to rank with the very best. "Key to the Highway", "Walking Blues" are just a sample of tunes that Muddy trademarked as his standards on this album. Every song may not rate 5 stars, but the composite is. I think Muddy derived great joy in making it, as I have in tuning in to this recording.

I love this! Muddy cleaned up a bit and produced, I know that sounds sac-religious but, this ROCKS, better than Muddy ever did before. Mostly because Rory Gallagher swings some of the most memorable guitar solos ever played by anyone. Rory is a genius! More soul per note make this highly listenable. Steve Winwood plays some very tasty organ on here as well. If you dig blues, you need this. Some of my personal favorite Mud. I love this! MUDDY LIVES!

A great mix of slow and up-tempo, super guitar licks, first-rate studio mixing and great sound (all too rare for a blues album). If you have quality speakers you'll love this album. This is McKinley Morganfield at his best. I'm a Muddy Waters nut. I've seen him live. This is better! Key To The Highway, Young Fashioned Ways, Who's Gonna Be Your Sweet Man, I'm Ready and I Don't Know Why all remind me why I love the blues; especially with some rhythm. Thanks to Muddy and Willie Dixon. I know you're smiling up there! 5 star vocals, music and recording!

For me, this is as good a place any to start an investigation into the music of this giant of the genre. Despite what others say, I like the backing musicians, particularly guitar and harmonica, and it doesn't suffer from the poor (by today's standards) recording quality of his earlier, 'classic' works. The voice may not have the towering force of his earlier stuff, but for me it's the sound of a (slightly) older man enjoying himself - and it's well worth a listen! My hair's turning grey too - you'd think it'd know the way I feel.

The blues were never meant to be recorded this smoothly. Typical of the Brits to turn a legend into a circus show. A lot of talent on the recording wasted, but the master himself and harp player Carey Bell still manage to come through. Of course, recorded in the early seventies, this album toned down the blues for its day. I recommend "Hard Again" produced by Johnny Winter...an excellent blues album with the rough, and easily puts acts like "Led Zeppelin" to shame. "Do it Johnny, Do it!"