Muddy Waters
Father’s & Sons

By Gigi Krop
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CD Stock Number: MCA Records CHD-92522

 

  While rummaging in the back of my closet I discovered a box of old CD's. The cover art of a dark-skinned deity giving life a la Michelangelo style, to a tawny-haired Adam attired in fig leaf and shades caught my eye.

Captured on analog tape in April 1969 in Chicago half at Chess Records, the other half live, this CD was a once in a lifetime event. It combined Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Michael Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, Donald Duck Dunn, Sam Lay and Buddy Miles. Recorded when CD technology was in its infancy, it was digitally transferred at MCA Studios. The technology may be old, but the music is ageless. From the opening strains of "All Aboard" to "Forty Days and Forty Nights" to "Got My Mojo Working", this CD is blues at its best. If the combined talent of these legendary musicians doesn't blow you away, the incredible collection of standard blues tunes will.

Before the last cut, "Got My Mojo Working" starts to play, you’ll be standing up, clapping your hands and dancing around the room. If you never loved the blues, one listen to this CD will change your mind. If you love the blues, it'll take 100 listens until you truly appreciate all the talent and soul imbedded in the grooves of this disc. This isn't a Reference Recording, not Chesky nor JVC XRCD, but when your fingers get snapping and feet get stomping you'll forget about the recording quality and fall in love with the music.

As a side note, a newly remastered CD version is now reaching stores worldwide. Bravo MCA!

Enjoyment: 99.5

Sound: 80