The Essence of Muddy Waters

iTunes Review

You’d have to go deep into a box set to get a more thorough collection of essentials from legendary bluesman Muddy Waters. He was equally rooted in songs of the Mississippi Delta (having grown up in Clarksdale) and the blues sound of Chicago (where he relocated in 1943). The Essence of Muddy Waters opens with “Mannish Boy”—the song that purportedly gave The Rolling Stones their moniker. Waters recorded it in 1955 for the Chess label as a reply to Bo Diddley’s “I’m a Man” (hence the similar repeating stop-time figure arrangement). Though the man’s distorted electric guitar tone and sinister harmonica honk are his legendary hallmarks, Waters’ vocal performances serve as a reminder that the man knew when to hold back, as heard on his cover of Big Joe Williams’ “Baby Please Don’t Go.” He also knew when to wail out the chorus, like in the middle of his hard-driving take on Preston Foster’s “Got My Mojo Working.” Waters’ work on the slide guitar was another amazing talent. “You’re Gonna Miss Me (When I’m Dead And Gone)” exemplifies his prowess.