This album is one of my favorite all-timey’s. A singular record where all the moving pieces fit together just so. The sum is bigger than its parts. And the result is some gosh-darn joyous music.
The Center Of It All Is Muddy
He has so much energy on this album, you wouldn’t know he was getting close to Social Security collection age. His voice sounds so … young! He sounds so … happy!
I’m sure everyone in the recording studio fed off of Muddy’s energy too.
The musicians he surrounded himself with were certainly no strangers to it.
Bob Margolin on guitar, James Cotton on harmonica, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on drums, Charles Calmese on bass, and Pinetop Perkins on piano – all had logged plenty of stage time with Muddy. They combined to put together 10 dynamic tracks.
“Everything…everything…everything gonna be alright this morning. Oh yeah!” ~ Muddy Waters (“Mannish Boy”)
The Wild Card — Johnny Winter
Johnny produced it all. Playing a bit on some tracks, “screaming” a bit on others. He was the straw that stirred the drink.
Muddy Waters was an idol of his and he had a vision for the album that was absolutely realized.
I believe Johnny wanted a record that sounded like the classic Blues he’d heard in clubs while coming up. And he wanted to have a good time while doing it too.
Well? Mission accomplished.
The album has a raw, live feel to it. The music feels spontaneous and fresh. Alive and playful. And my sense is that everyone was playing as much for each other as they were for any imaginary record audience.
I’d be willing to bet that they were all a little sad when they were done recording.
This album was Muddy’s so-called “comeback” album. It charted well, and sold well, and netted him a Grammy. Successful by any measure. But what makes it a true success is that you can still listen to it, tap your foot, and smile.
Yeah, everything *is* gonna be alright!
Preview ‘Hard Again’
…You can find some excellent quality vinyl versions of ‘Hard Again’ on Discogs.com. Check them out H E R E!
Thanks for reading!
Jon Beres
I’m one part Blues Fan and one part Digital Native (with a dash of Curmudgeon.) I’m also the publisher of AlltheWayBlue.com. If you love the Blues, I have a feeling we’ll get along just fine - cheers!
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