Hard Again

I had the privilege of seeing Muddy Waters open for Johnny Winter When waters was touring his comeback record Hard Again; considered one of the best blues albums of all time. James Cotton on harmonica, Pinetop Perkins on piano, Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith on drums and Winter on guitar. Johnny Winter repays his dues by revitalizing the greatest blues artist in history with an extraordinary LP. I bought it after the show, and I still listen to it. Perfection.

I don't know how you can listen to this and not love it. Every second of this album is gold.

Absolute beast of an album. Quintessential, essential, cornerstone work from one of the most important artists in American music. The man is a legend and this album is legendary.

Listening to this album is like eating 6 day old leftover food for the 4th time in the same week. The first night, it was delicious, but in the end, we eat it out of principle so as not to waste.

Loved this. Listened to it twice more over the weekend.

A fantastically bluesy and soulful album with some of the greatest guitar playing of all time.

I'm glad that Mr. Waters is able to get it up again. He must be pumped full of viagra.

Empezó bailando pero luego se durmió.

Real blues untouched by pop music done by a master with Johnny Winter allowing Waters to do what he does best, no restrictions. What more can I say?

Damn that slide guitar

So good. The Blues are my happy place. As good and as relevant today as it was in 1977.

Great album, all the playing is on point and muddys being muddy. Mannish boy might be the greatest opening track of all time

Great to see the name Muddy Waters not referring to the hedge fund. I was wondering why they edited out the crowd noise and was surprised to find it wasn’t live. Crosseyed Cat is my fave on this LP. As the penultimate track it clearly shows there is no filler. “Can’t be Satisfied” is insane. After a steel guitar solo, the broken coke bottle typically gives way to the guitar pick to take the rhythm. Not here though; the steel keeps rolling . Q: What song on this LP did the Stones played at the El Mocambo w Maggie T watching? A: Track1

It's hard to come up with a better example of Chicago Blues or of a band just jamming and having fun. This album was produced by Johnny Winter who also gets credited for miscellaneous screams as an instrument. The energy is high with most songs sounding like they were recorded live. A lot of high points throughout but James Cotton's harmonica, OMG. I admit to not being a harmonica historian but this is the best and most devastating use of that instrument that I've heard. I'd say he pretty much steals the show but there are so many great moments. This is Muddy's first album for Blue Sky Records after dropping Chess Records. "Mannish Boy" starts the show and is one of the most famous and best blues song that I know of with memorable uses in "Risky Business" and The Band's " The Last Waltz". Winter's screams and Cotton's harmonica make this 1955 re-recording a highlight of any album and an absolute stunner of a song. There are two other Muddy re-recordings "I Want to be Loved" and " I Can't Be Satisfied." Not to be outdone, the guitars absolutely sing on "Bus Driver", an absolute jam with Cotton's harmonica. The bus driver stole his woman; as if that alone is not a great subject for a blues song. The only song which I've heard elsewhere more than once is "The Blues Had a Baby and They Named it Rock and Roll, Part 2" which features great guitars from Muddy, Bob Margolin and probably Johnny Winters. Every song is great here, pretty much a highlight. If I didn't know blues and had to pick one album to get, this album might be it.

Amazing blues album.

I'm not usually a blues guy, but this album brings such incredible energy. It's undeniable. The production is also great, every instrument feels like it's at just the right level. You can hear each part without any of them standing out too much 4/5

as much of a cunt as it makes me sound, i prefer his earlier stuff. this is all a bit polished and formulaic - yes i know the blues by its very nature is formulaic - but this is that type of blues that i slag off clapton for where its lost its soul.

Viagra blues

More like shitty waters.

I know this album. I mean, I really know this album. Every single track. Because they are all amazing. This is a great start to the morning thank you @1001_albums_gen I think I'll be walking to work to prolong my journey today 😍 Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton, Johnny Winter (with 'miscellaneous screams'). Pure pure joy

Thumping blues record full of grit and dirt. Waters has bucketloads of charisma and the band are just the finest musicians assembled (the harmonica here becomes a stunning solo instrument). A cold stone classic.

Great artist, great album. Must hear if you're a blues lover. But really one everyone should listen. Starts off with THE definitive blues track and goes on from there.

Hard nosed Chicago Blues, from a master of the form, with a great band that swings!

Super Stuff from Muddy... "Mannish Boy" a classic blues call here but what is not to like on this. I will be adding it to my collection for sure.

Chicago Blues at its rockin' and stompin' finest. I know the blues is a vast and deep ocean from which nearly all Western tonal music comes, and I totally get how easily music in the boundless "blues" genre can disappear into that unfathomably huge ocean, but when it's done like this, it's all good. I often caught myself tapping my foot and bobbing my head as the tracks grooved on. The whole album moves, and all the players are superb -- and whoa, man, Pinetop Perkins on the piano, holy smokes! Reminds us that the blues didn't emerge as a musical style so very long ago as a means to bring others down, but as a process to sing and play it out to feel better.

Wow. Amazing.

Class album

Loved it. Nice find

awesome

What a powerhouse of a record. One of my favorites from this project so far. Best track: All of them? Let's go with Crosseyed Cat

i couldn't tell you why, but i enjoyed this one more than the other muddy waters album on this list. in case this escapes anyone's notice...damn, he's good.

that album was awesome, it had a lot of different blues elements I really loved. 9/10

Love these authentic blues guitar licks and harmonicas. Muddy may also have the best voice for the blues. Was interesting to learn that Johnny Winter produced.

I love blues classics and this is top tier! Muddy Waters was one of the best there was, the opening track still kills.

Sounds like where the blues were born. I like the whole of it. The riffs are classic - Mannish Boy and Bus Driver riffs have become synonymous with what the blues sound like. And there's a dive bar sensibility to this album with the "crowd" chiming in here and there. The lyrics are minimal, but convey the mood perfectly in between the numerous blues breakdowns, which are the focal point of the record. I Want to Be Loved Again - Simple, real, and another classic bluesy feeling. Jealous Hearted Man - I've now heard a lot of records about women leaving men, men not being good and begging for women to come back, etc., and it has almost never worked better than it does in this album. I Can't Be Satisfied - Just when I was about to say how the one complaint I could make about this album is that the rhythm and style at this point is starting to run together, here comes I Can't Be Satisfied. This song is a perfect placement in the album. A different style, cleaner, smaller, more technical, and awesome. What if the Blues Got Pregnant and they named the baby rock and roll - A return to the classic blues riff, but this time with more observational substance. Another classic. What a talent! Deep Down in Florida - I love how this album moves. No song overstays. I am always ready for what's next. Crosseyed Cat - A new take on the "lost by baby song, and I loved it." I mean - where does he come up with this stuff? Little Girl - Sounds like Bus Driver, but a variation. Easy to groove to, and again - simple but genuine blues. And those breakdown sections are sweet. Could have been the last track, easy. Walking Thru the Park - Interesting choice to make this the closer. It works too though! Great album!

The King of the Blues and the most important Blues album of all time. I can't quantify that and the Blues had been around for decades at this point, but to breathe a heavy gust back into the genre in 1977 can not be understated.

Muddy waters. Not much to say here. Classic, pure blues.

One of the most influential blues musicians. Interesting instrumentals, soulful vocal performance. Sounds exactly what I'd expect blues to sound like. Does get a bit repetetive, but that's just blues I guess. I don't listen to blues a lot, so taking that into account this album is a nice 5/5.

Amazing solos, smooth production Muddy Waters' iconic voice combine for a great blues album. (huehue hard again)

If there is one quintessential blues album, this might be it.

I could listen to this all day long. I think I will buy it. Hopefully mofi did a version. So very, very good

Gran energía, pesadón, una vibrita badass. Me gustó, sí. Desde mi mínimo conocimiento para apreciar el blues, me pareció deleitable todo el disco. Además de la famosísima canción inicial, mis favoritas fueron I want to be loved #2 y I can't be satisfied que tiene una ondita bastante diferente al resto de los tracks. Mood: I want to be loved #3

I’ve never listened to Muddy and I really enjoyed this album. It reminded me of my ship days, chillin in a booth at the BB King Blues Club with a cocktail. Just sitting back and listening to the jam.

Excelente servicio. De los géneros que no escucho mucho, pero que me emocionan genuinamente. Disfrutable de inicio a fin. Mis favoritas: "Mannish Boy", claaaro, "I Want To Be Loved #2" y una con un gran título "The Blues Had A Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll". 10/10

Nothing like the sound of someone else's suffering to cheer you up. This was a really good time.

He’s hard, I’m hard, are there any more hard people I should know about???

A solid collection of blues songs from one of the best blues singers of all time. Blues isn't my favorite genre, and it's tough for me to listen to a whole album without being reminded of how repetitive it can get. Still, Muddy Waters is a legend. 3.7/4

Some damn good playing on this one! Kinda feel like most of it sounds pretty similar though

Very traditional Blues album, down to its roots. As much as I can appreciate how influential Muddy Waters was and, I'm sure, this album was too, there's a lot of similarity throughout this album. Some people like that and would call it a "theme", but I do like a bit of diversity. So again, while I can appreciate the album, I don't think it's for me, and that's okay.

Very hard hitting blues/ soul. The real predecessor of so much rock and roll (the father you might say) and the Gainesville shout out in Deep Down in Florida! Great track

Incredibly talented musician. Not sure I'd choose to listen to this again.

No. 72/1001 Mannish Boy 4/5 Bus Driver 3/5 I Want To Be Loved #2 3/5 Jealous Hearted Man 3/5 I Can't Be Satisfied 3/5 The Blues Had A Baby 3/5 Deep Down In Florida 3/5 Crosseyed Cat 3/5 Little Girl 2/5 Walkin' Thru The Park 2/5 Average: 2,9 Was an ok listen, Blues just isn't something I find super exciting.

who put all these white boys in my blues album

Despite being one of the building blocks of rock & roll, blues is forever tarnished by middle-aged men telling me 'if you can play blues, you can play anything'. I can play blues, Bill; doesn't mean I can play Animals as Leaders. I can feel the joy in the room, but it doesn't result in a affecting record for me. I know this is a me thing.

Du bon blues, mais très "blues blues". Ça n'aide pas que je ne suis pas le plus grand fan de ce style, mais justement c'est tellement "meat & potatoes" comme blues que ça me laisse un peu indifférent. 4.5/10

Mannish Boy is the quintessential track that sets the tone for the rest of the album: standard blues that, whilst no doubt composed and played by skilled musicians, becomes rather repetitive and does not draw me back for repeat listens. More of my issue with the genre being too formulaic (a walking bass line, noodling guitar solo and far too much harmonica on what feels like every song) than a reflection of the album itself!

I had to hang on, To push on through. I learned one thing The hard way, sir… Blues ain’t my thang, Oh, no no.

5/5. This album feels like a few friends just chilling in a basement with about 7 people at their show but they are all having a good time. But these friends are expert musicians and have been playing for years. Blues is simple and yet every instrument gives it their all and it brings an energy sometimes missing in blues records and that is joy which is ironic. These are just chill and great songs back to back, it doesn't really even matter what they are playing. They are just having a good time, and so am I. Best Song: Mannish Boy, Bus Driver, Crosseyed Cat

- Muddy Waters and his decades-spanning career was well into his groove by the time Johnny Winters recorded this and several more albums with him, most of which gaining Waters a Grammy - For someone so engrained in the zeitgeist, this album was considered a comeback album! - Muddy Waters, you're a legend

Blistering. Best listen to loud. Crackles with energy. Deserves a place in my permanent library. My only criticism is I think the tracks could be shuffled around to make it more consistent beginning to end.

Pretty great. Mannish Boy is a stone cold classic that feels timeless. The rest of the album is solid blues but not boring. The combination of Muddy’s voice and guitar along with the background singers are just perfect. The album title is a little “hard” to get past but the rest is 100% classic.

Blues masterpiece. All of your iconic Chicago blues licks can be found here, played to perfection. The guitars are ripping, harmonicas are swinging, and Muddy brings a lot to the mic as well. Definitely a lot more polished than his live album that predates this by 20 years, and that studio shine does take away some ues magic, but I can't deny that there are aeveral amazing songs here. My favorite is probably Crosseyed Cat and Bus Driver.

What a great blues album! Absolutely perfect in my view. Will get this on vinyl.

Sounds like they had a lot of fun recording this album

Blues blues blues blues. It's simple. It's not trying to be anything it's not. Just a dude with a guitar speaking from the soul. Yeah, it's repetitive, but aren't we all

Absolutely amazing

Solid.

This lives up to the title by going extremely hard. Listened to it twice back to back.

Hard to say anything about such an iconic artist and album. Waters is the at the pinnacle of one of the most important American music forms.

Such a vibe.

First song was a bit boring but it picked up after that, really enjoyed the expressive guitar and basslines. Favorite songs were: 2. Bus Driver 4. Jealous Hearted Man 6. The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll 9/10

This was our second album by Muddy Waters. I can't say I understand his desire to go to Florida but other than that, amazing album. Also Muddy Waters is a sick name.

This album goes so hard (again). It is largely forty minutes of shredding on the guitar and keys. Did someone (or many people) more contemporary rip off "Mannish Boy"? Why does this sound exactly like another (or many other) songs? It slaps, and was clearly a very influential song. "Jealous Hearted Man" is awesome. "Can't Be Satisfied" is a little more dialed back from the other songs. The guitar is still very much at the front, but in a more subdued way. I liked this song a lot. "Crosseyed Cat" had some more ferocious shredding. "Little Girl is a fun long jam. 9/10

28/10/24 A good, entertaining album.

beginnen met de riff der riffen , dan weet je dat dit een plaat van jewelste is... zonder Muddy (en een hoopje anderen, die ik voor de gemakkelijkheid even over het hoofd zie), zou er niet veel soeps in deze lijst van 1001 staan

Wonderful.

Everything from production to performance is perfect. Chicago bluesxat its finest

The blues had a baby and named it Rock and Roll. I can see how this was so influential. I can hear it in almost everything I listen to. Great to see it works on its own too.

This is so much fun!!!!! Feels like a fantastic night live on Frenchman Street. Great stuff!!!!

Nothing muddy here

Great late period Muddy Waters, with a killer backing band. Proof that he had it right up to the end.

Awesome 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

This is the Blues.

Didn't realise that Muddy Waters was putting out some of his best music as late as the 70s. From the iconic opening of Mannish Boy this is a perfect blues album. 5/5

Increíble. No puedo con tanto blues.

The blues rock blueprint Wailing guitar made legend Plus harmonica!

Wonderful album. I enjoyed it immensely :-)

What an album from a legend. I was really in the mood for the Blues today, which is good because I have an Allman Brothers album next. But Muddy is first, as it should be. The production is so well done on this album. I'm not one who is able to get deep into the specifics, but it was a pleasure to listen to recordings of such quality.

One of the greatest players and singers to ever do it. It’s apparently a comeback album but its barely different from his early material. Not that that’s a bad thing, his voice still sounds phenomenal at this age. Every song is a jam and a great blues classic. No surprises but you can’t go wrong with Muddy Waters.

Good album really like it 10/10 I would listen to it again

Deserves a 5 for 'Mannish Boy' alone. Muddy is Blues personified.

I don't know how you can listen to this and not love it. Every second of this album is gold.

Holy shit. Now **that's** some fuckin' **blues**. The kind so hard it'll blow your speakers out if you play it too loud. Like, goodness, it's such a contrast from the last blues album my group got, only just a few days ago. 'Cuz, I mean, yeah, B.B. King's professionalism is something to be admired, and his playing is amazing even under his restraint, but you put it next to a band playing so raw and so electrically it's like they're gonna cause a blackout just on their own... Jus', oh, goodness. In short: it's the kind of blues I like the best (i.e.: "it sounds the most like Weird Al's 'Generic Blues', which is a **huge** compliment in my book, believe me). It's so much a 5 in my book, I won't even take the easy erection joke set-up the title gives. Good-ass job y'did there, Muddy.

Just some stellar ol' blues from one of the greatest to play guitar. Very easy 5 for me.

I’m at a 4.5, and I’ll give it the bump up to a 5. It’s just really fucking good blues; a few tracks didn’t quite mix with my sensibilities (some of them are a little long, a little repetitive, etc), but I enjoyed this enough that I can recognize that some of the tracks that didn’t work as well for me could very very easily hit for someone else, and that’s why I’ll bump it up to a 5. When this backing band behind Muddy Waters enters the flow state (which happens plenty of times on this album), they sucked me in just as easily as the listener; when they’re in that mode, and everything is rolling, with the guitars on fire, the deep percussion nailing every beat, and the instruments riffing like there’s no tomorrow, while Muddy’s voice hits its deepest Ray Charles-inspired tones, there’s really nothing like it. It is a mood that is sort of impossible to describe, but very easy to be aware of, and it’s incredibly fun. This album enters the flow state several times, and it just makes for 45 of the smoothest and fastest minutes I can remember. There’s not a bad track here, just a few that didn’t click with my tastes, but it’s so damn good that I’d be a fool not to give it the 5. It’s a very, very good album, and a highly recommended listen. This was great.

Start to finish this is gold! This might not be "classic" Muddy, but god damn you'd be hard pressed to know that while listening. Even the rerecorded material sounds fantastic. Pure blues. So much talent and emotion in this man and his backup band. There will never be another like him.

Wow! This was way better than I was expecting. Solid blues album that gives a live feel. Muddy is one of the best to ever do it and it shows here.

Wow, a great blues album by one of the best.

If I’d be a guy living in the 70ies, I’d have my own kind of groovy. Would wear cowboy boots with a bit of heel, V shirts showing a tiny nip of chest hair and a fitted gilet, have my hair in a male bouffant, walk like I own the place, ooooooze manliness and would take great notes from Muddy Waters 🥲

One of the best albums on this list so far. I have always been meaning to listen to older blues, but never got around to it. This album is everything I expected and more. I will be going back to this one.