Customer Reviews

Muddy Water Blues

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First of all , Paul Rodgers is the best male vocalist period. On top of that you add Jeff Beck, David Gilmore, Slash, Gary Moore, Brian Setzer, Steve Miller and a few other unbelieveable guitar wizzards, you can't possibly get a better blues alblum. And lest we forget they're playing the songs of Muddy Waters! Don't waste any more time thinking, this is a "10".Paul Shaffer is also there on the B-3.

I have owned this cd for some time and have never tired of
listening to it.Mr Rodgers is in fine form throughout and his backing band just rocks.Add to that some of the finest rock guitarists in the world today showing their blues roots and you have a winning tribute to one of the blues greats.My fav track would have to be"born under a bad sign" with Neal Schon.I play in a band myself and have often played this cd between sets and have never failed to get someone come up and say "this is fantastic....who is this band?"...and yet another person is introduced to the blues,what more could you want?

First, let me confess I have the American version and I just can't quit listening. The various guitarists perform inspired blues work and, when accompanied by Rodger's excellent vocals...well, it's just a MUST HAVE for any blues man. Steve Miller's rendition on Hoochie Coochie Man is unique! What an innovater! David Gilmore's crying guitar work in Standing Around Crying will leave you drained and Rodger's vocal work here is equally inspiring. Gary Moore will really move you as he thunders through his rendition of She Moves Me. Rodger's anquished voice is most convincing. Jeff Beck makes 3 appearances topped by his soulful I Just Want To Make Love To You. I could go on about the other guitarists but I'll just guarantee if you're a blues fan you'll thank me for convincing you.

Could well be one of the best albums,(sorry, showing my age!),that I have ever heard. Every musician in the right place at the right time.

If your a Blues fan and appreciate the distinctive voice of Paul Rodgers then you are bound to enjoy this album.

Whilst not producing the depth of feeling that a Muddy Waters original might, one cannot but appreciate listening to a great voice singing great songs backed by the best guitarists around.

If the only thing this album does is to introduce a wider audience of guitar fans to the brilliance of Muddy Waters blues classics, then the making of the album was time well spent!!

This 1993 tribute to Muddy Waters concocted by Paul Rodgers does more than just honor the legacy of one of our founding fathers of American music - it also manages to kick up a whole boatload of fun. Teaming up the voice of Bad Company with an impressive lineup of axe wielders sure was a good idea! This record rocks and swaggers through most of it's 65:52 running time. However, blues purists beware: This is NOT a collection of note-for-note covers of some of Muddy's greatest tunes. And therein lies the beauty. Instead of a sterile reading of old blues classics, the boys on this disk inject their own styles and personalities into each song, sometimes with stunning results. Jeff Beck takes top honors here with his three incredible cuts, bending, twisting and stretching these classics as only he can. David Gilmour takes a very close second with a searing version of the slow blues, Standing Around Crying. Here's how things measure up:

Muddy Water Blues acoustic (Buddy Guy) - Buddy Guy fans might be a bit disappointed due to Buddy's low key approach. Known for his manic and dynamic playing, this mostly acoustic tune is just lightly adorned with Guy's very bare-boned electric tone. There's no mistaking that scattered phrasing of his, but as you're waiting for things to take off, the song ends.

Louisiana Blues (Trevor Rabin) - This is full on rock with Rabin's heavily processed sound and finger taps making it quite clear that this is NOT going to be a blues album.

I Can't Be Satisfied (Brian Setzer) - Great rockabilly style intro (and outro) as only Brian can deliver. The solo is full of his trademark Gretsch bar dips and slippery single note lines. Good stuff.

Rollin' Stone (Jeff Beck) - Rodger's impassioned voice mixing with Jeff's unbelievable guitar playing is just a jaw dropping delight. It leaves you wondering "how the heck did he do that??". Because this is Jeff Beck, stupid.

Good Morning Little School Girl Part I (Jeff Beck) - After these sessions Beck remarked how much it reminded him of his Truth days with Rod Stewart. I can definitely see why Jeff wanted to do the whole album! His enthusiasm jumps from your speakers.

I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man (Steve Miller) - My apologies to Steve Miller fans out there, but this cut is rather luke warm. Jimmie Woods' harmonica seems more featured than Steve's playing.

She's Alright (Trevor Rabin) - Another rocker very much in the same vein as Rabin's last cut. Certainly energetic and enthusiastic (Is there a pedal this guy DOESN'T own??).

Standing Around Crying (David Gilmour) - Scorching slow blues by the man in Pink. A stratocaster with a nice touch of gain and some delay makes for a raw and nasty tone...at least in Gilmour's hands. Squealing bends, singing vibrato, subtle feedback....noone makes a guitar cry like David Gilmour.

The Hunter (Slash) - This is a great rocking vehicle for Slash's down-n-dirty guitar style. He and Rodgers were clearly having a blast.

She Moves Me (Gary Moore) - There isn't a Les Paul tone on earth like Gary Moore's. I swear that guitar was made just for him. This cut is just a tiny taste of what can be found on Moore's Still Got The Blues, After Hours, or the ultimate tribute album Blues For Greeny.

I'm Ready (Brian May) - A bouncy tune that features some of Brian's wall-of-guitars sound as well as Jimmie Woods' harmonica. Unfortunately just a mediocre cut.

I Just Want To Make Love To You (Jeff Beck) - Holy Bajeezus this guy has tone. This is the heaviest version of this tune I've ever heard. No other even comes close.

Born Under A Bad Sign (Neal Schon) - Another heavily processed guitar sound that fits this updated version well. Schon chops his way through the solo nicely.

Good Morning Little School Girl Part II (Richie Sambora) - He may not be Jeff Beck but he can rock. Great tone and a great energetic reading of this tune.

Muddy Water Blues electric (Neal Schon) - Basically the opening song extended with Schon soloing this time.

If you're considering this CD, it's important to understand what kind of tribute album this is. I think Paul's intent was to show Muddy's influence by featuring his music in more contemporary settings. Rockers and guitar geeks (such as myself) will love this, while blues purists will cut their own throats with the disk. This is a fun album and should be taken in that spirit.

While not necessarily a great guide to the music of Paul Rodgers, this album brings the master storming back with a collection of great blues songs. The star-studded guest list makes this a must-have album for any blues or Paul Rodgers fan. Listen in particular to the tearing rendition of "I Just Wanna Make Love To You", with Paul's voice beautifully complimented by Jeff Beck's screaming guitar. The bonus CD is a definite bonus, with new recordings of three Free and three Bad Company standards. Listen with open ears if you are a Free or Bad Company fan, you will be surprised!!

It seems to be a comercial work,not a tribute to one of the most acclaimed bluesmen of our times. Muddy Waters influenced all of that generation,wich produced one of the most richness periods of the history of the modern music. All of the guys in this cd,were Muddy's disciples! The "Pop" versions of Muddy's blues in this work,are moments to be reverenced ever..ever.. Great tribute,great album....to a great bluesman!

If you like Bad Company (the song) then this a treat for you! Listen to the songs 16 onward, they are remakes of the classic originals, but they sound much more better. This alone is worth the price of the CD!

My blues band does Standing Around Crying and it is the one song that can get a standing ovation from any crowd. This music is a true gift to all creatures whose hearing operates in the normal listening range. Thanks Paul and a special thanks to Muddy!