Fathers and Sons

by Muddy Waters

Overview

The resurgence of Chicago-based blues in the mid- to late 1960s came with an entirely new breed of icons to bear the torch. Among them were the decidedly electric Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Joining Muddy Waters (guitar/vocals) and Otis Spann (piano) on the aptly titled Fathers and Sons are three Butterfield Blues Band alumni: Michael Bloomfield (guitar), Sam Lay (drums), and leader Paul Butterfield (guitar). Further augmenting the personnel is Booker T. and the MG's Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass) and Buddy Miles (drums) -- who cameos during the live "Got My Mojo Workin'" finale. This all-star cast helps reclaim some of Waters' fire, which had been summarily doused on his previous outing Electric Mud -- a tasteless pseudo-psychedelic disaster. The poorly executed scheme had been designed to introduce Waters' music to a younger and mostly white audience. In essence, Fathers and Sons is able to accomplish with musical integrity what Electric Mud couldn't through gimmickry. Additionally, the incorporation of the younger generation blues men solidified Waters stature as one of the pre-eminent forces in Chicago Blues to a decidedly fresh and underdeveloped audience. The disc is split between studio sides cut on April 21-23 and a half-hour live set. This performance, during the Super Cosmic Joy-Scout Jamboree, was documented on the evening following the final day of studio recording. The event was held at Auditorium Theater in (where else?) Chicago. Simplifying the process is Fathers and Sons set list, which consists of exclusively vintage Waters material. "Mean Disposition" and "Standin' Round Cryin'" drip with Bloomfield and Butterfield's nasty languid electric funk and feature Waters' determined and energized vocals. On the up-tempo blues/rockers "Walking Thru the Park" and "Sugar Sweet" the nimble and lyrical guitar passages meld the distance between Waters and the electric blues of Cream and Led Zeppelin. The 2001 remastered CD edition includes four additional studio sides issued here for the first time: "Country Boy," "I Love The Life I Live (I Live The Life I Love)," "Oh Yeah," and "I Feel So Good." Without question, the highlight of Fathers and Sons is the live performances which are incessantly fuelled by the explosive nature of the musicians on stage as well as the audience. "Long Distance Call" and the two-part "Got My Mojo Working" are the finest pieces on the album. They likewise rate among the most complimentary marriages of Chicago R&B with rock & roll. Of Muddy Waters' later recordings, it certainly got no better than the summit meeting heard on Fathers and Sons. Fans of Waters' true and natural showmanship, as well as enthusiasts of blues-based rock & roll will find plenty to revisit. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	10/30/2001
Label:	Chess / Mca
UPC:	0008811264826

Tracks

1. All Aboard
2. Mean Disposition
3. Blow Wind Blow
4. You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had
5. Walking Thru the Park
6. Forty Days and Forty Nights
7. Standin' Round Cryin'
8. I'm Ready
9. Twenty Four Hours
10. Sugar Sweet
11. Country Boy
12. I Love the Life I Live (I Live the Life I Love)
13. Oh Yeah
14. I Feel So Good
15. Long Distance Call
16. Bab, Please Don't Go
17. Honey Bee
18. The Same Thing
19. Got My Mojo Working, Part 1
20. Got My Mojo Working, Part 2

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Muddy Waters   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar
Donald "Duck" Dunn   Guest Artist,Guitar (Bass),Bass
David Sanborn   Guest Artist
Paul Butterfield   Guest Artist,Harmonica
Michael Bloomfield   Guest Artist,Guitar
Buddy Miles   Guest Artist,Drums
Elvin Bishop   Guest Artist
Otis Spann   Guest Artist,Piano
Sam Lay   Drums
Jeffrey Carp   Harmonica,Chromatic Harmonica
Phil Upchurch   Guitar,Guitar (Bass)
Paul Asbell   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)

Technical Credits

Willie Dixon   Composer
Mel London   Composer
Marshall Chess   Album Supervision
Vartan   Art Direction
James Moore   Composer
Big Bill Broonzy   Composer
Muddy Waters   Composer
Cary Baker   Liner Notes
Preston Foster   Composer
Donald Roller Wilson   Artwork
Andy McKaie   Reissue Research,Reissue Coordination
Sonny Woods   Production Assistant
Bernard Roth   Composer
Big Joe Williams   Composer
Frank Driggs   Photography
Eddie Boyd   Composer
Ron Malo   Engineer
William Lee Conley Broonzy   Composer
Norman Dayron   Producer
McKinley Morganfield   Composer
Reice Hamel   Engineer