Muddy Waters Albums Ranked
McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), known professionally as Muddy Waters, was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician who is often cited as the “father of modern Chicago blues”, and an important figure on the post-war blues scene. His style of playing has been described as “raining down Delta beatitude”. Muddy Waters grew up on Stovall Plantation near Clarksdale, Mississippi, and by age 17 was playing the guitar and the harmonica, emulating the local blues artists Son House and Robert Johnson. He was recorded in Mississippi by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress in 1941. In 1943, he moved to Chicago to become a full-time professional musician. In 1946, he recorded his first records for Columbia Records and then for Aristocrat Records, a newly formed label run by the brothers Leonard and Phil Chess. In the early 1950s, Muddy Waters and his band—Little Walter Jacobs on harmonica, Jimmy Rogers on guitar, Elga Edmonds (also known as Elgin Evans) on drums and Otis Spann on piano—recorded several blues classics, some with the bassist and songwriter Willie Dixon. These songs included “Hoochie Coochie Man”, “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and “I’m Ready”. In 1958, he traveled to England, laying the foundations of the resurgence of interest in the blues there. His performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1960 was recorded and released as his first live album, At Newport 1960. Muddy Waters’ music has influenced various American music genres, including rock and roll and rock music. Here are all Muddy Waters albums ranked.
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10. The Muddy Waters Woodstock Album (1975)
“The songs are all very good , ranging from covers to originals . Track 2 Going Down to Main Street is a great rockin sorta song , a great version of Caldonia, a few nice bluesy originals called Funny Sounds and Born With Nothing and a great bluesy thing called fox Squirrel ( listed as a bonus track ) …if you’re a Muddy Waters fan , you’ll be very ,very happy with this lp”
9. The London Muddy Waters Sessions (1972)
“This is a very fine example of a recording made when Muddy was still in his prime and the then young backing musicians were eager to please. Everyone delivered and it was recorded beautifully with great sound. Highly recommended.”
8. Anthology (2001)
“How could you not like muddy waters ? His style is timeless ,honest and truly rich. Teach your children the beauty of all types of music New an old they will thank you.So we our blessed to have artists like muddy who tells his stories through his music.”
7. Fathers And Sons (1969)
“So good, I have to give it five stars. It’s a five because it ‘s a collection of first and second generation Chicago bluesguys that captures the essence of the sound and energy of the music.This is classic stuff. I hadn’t heard this album in a very long time (since vinyl was in its heyday) and was looking for some material for my radio station on live365. I remembered this, downloaded, and it’s a great as it ever was. No contrived guitar solos, but a band in a groove led by a master.”
6. King Bee (1981)
“King Bee is indeed a quality album if you crave authentic down home blues music! Muddy Waters is a true pioneer in the music called the Blues and he lived it all his life. This was Muddy’s final studio album and he has saved his best for the last. An excellent selection of electric blues music featuring Muddy’s hand picked musicians to back him up; this album rocks hard and is best played loudly! Buy this bad boy immediately and crank it up! The Blues are meant to be enjoyed completely and this is an excellent album for those seeking the real deal!”
See more: Stevie Ray Vaughan Albums Ranked
5. After The Rain (1969)
“I loved After The Rain as a teenager back when it was released. I recently revisited it and I must admit I still love it. This 2011 version sounds and looks great. The version of Rollin N Tumblin alone is worth the price. Well maybe that is an exaggeration but it is a great song. It seems to me that the complaints about this album are that it doesn’t fit the formula of what a Muddy Waters album is supposed to sound like. Even calling it a sell out. This is similar to the negative feedback by critics of the Miles Davis album On The Corner when it was released. But now On The Corner is considered a masterpiece.”
4. Electric Mud (1968)
“I’d give this album 10 stars if I could! It’s not traditional blues, but what kind of narrow minded, backwards, purists is blinkered enough to try and say this isn’t some of the most mind bendingly good music of all time? I honestly don’t know. I’ve loved this album for years and was astonished to find it is generally derided by alot of people.”
3. The Folk Singer (1964)
“This is my personal favorite of Muddy. His only straight acoustic release, the recording is superb and this record is extremely quiet. That is key for this album. His voice is astounding, and you can hear him turn his head in some songs. The method used to record and master this album is extremely simple. A few stereo mics in a room, and very minimal alterations to the sound. You can hear the studio around the band and “air between” if you will. I have “Tidal studio” and this sounds better.”
2. I’m Ready (1978)
“Here is Muddy in the 70’s backed and recorded by fellow Blues musician Johnny Winter who also plays on the album, but Muddy is playing with his own hand picked band of bluesmen including Jimmy Rogers and Pinetop Perkins on piano. Muddy plays some incredible slide guitar on this album as well and he plays some all time favorite hits: Hoochie Coochie Man. I’m Ready, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl. This is a wonderful album and it truly showcases Water’s talent as a singer and guitarist. Do yourself a favor and purchase this gem of an album and listen to what it really means to have the blues. Excellent!”
1. Hard Again (1977)
“if you want to hear the blues the way they were meant to be heard then this is the album to purchase! Featuring an amazing group of backup musicians, including being produced by Johnny Winter, this album lives up to its title: Hard Again. From the first track, Water’s trademark song, Mannish Boy, to the previously unreleased track Walking through the Park, this is like hearing Waters and his band play in some roadside joint. It is hard to believe that Waters was well into his 70’s when he recorded this album because he is in fine form, singing as if his life depended on it. I really love how this album was mixed with all the performers playing in the same room and it really shows you that Winter knew what he was doing. Bob Margolin provides thoughtful liner notes as well as playing some smoking hot guitar on these tracks. If you want to experience the true wonder of the blues, this album is definitely the one to purchase. Play it loud and play it proud all night long!”
