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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Damn that slide guitar

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?

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

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

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.

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

This is pretty good, classic blues stuff, not a ton that really stands out in any big way, but it's good straight forward blues guitar playing. Good stuff, great background jams.

3 star. It seems like the first song was the original inspiration for “Bad to the Bone.” I really liked this version though, so it’s really interesting that the other version seems to be more famous. I liked the album in general too! Couple really good songs with an ok rest of the album - that makes it a 3!

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.

THE SAME FUCKING SONG FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES

Classic

Mannish boy is just that song 👌🏼

New Album for me but I knew all the songs. Classic!!

I wasn't sure, so I had to listen again! ;-)

Driving to work in the snow today wishing I was down in Florida. I'm not a big Blues fan but when it's done right, gotdamn it's good! The energy and instrumentation of this album is great. Love the rhythms. Some of these songs just stomp so hard! I'm not surprised that loretta-marie gave this a 5. SO MUCH HARMONICA! Usually harmonicas only get bit parts in songs but this is full out harmonica. Also the musicians have a great synergy that just fucking works!

So much great energy! I had no idea whose song Mannish Boy was, now I do. And did they base the Babysitting Blues from Adventures in Babysitting on that riff? I don't know if blues is typically my thing, I've never dug into the genre much, but I really loved this album. It overflows with heart and soul, has great lyrics and vocals, and the band totally rocks! What's not to love about this? Hearing him live would've been so fun. Also, special shoutout to the Crosseyed Cat lyrics, and to this lyric from Bus Driver: "He used to give her rides in the daytime, now she gives him rides at night."

This is perhaps blues in its most peak and natural form, made by the blues for the blues. It’s rockin’, it’s rippin’, it’s rollin’. what more is there to say?

I love the blues. Not my first time listening to Muddy Waters, but I always enjoy it.

Interesting blend of almost spoken word with tempo and flair of primo bass lines. Utmost flair with an unusually upbeat tempo for blues.

Absolute genius start to end

Dope.

Unreal. The blues had a baby and his name was Muddy. No doubt there's lots about this era I wouldn't want to experience, but how exciting it must have been to hear this music. Even the more uptempo songs have a melancholy edge to them. No one's asking, but if I had to pick I'd take this expression of rock and roll over what feels like the more dance hall entertainer kinda Otis Blackwell stuff. This just seems so personal and honest. But hey, I'm an emo kid :P

Five star Chicago blues album. A must listen.

Well now, I recognize this first song. Muddy Waters is a clear legend in the game. While I have great respect for what he means to music, I just don't get into blues. I know that rock wouldn't be here without blues, so for that I'm thankful. As I listen, I can't help but realize just how much Mr. Waters mastered his craft. All the musicians on the album play perfectly together. As much as I don't like the style of music, I must give this a 5, because it is best in class.

i could see suits using this album, genuinely a happy vibe

I could listen to this all day.

I realize this is weird, but a bucket list trip of mine is going to Clarksdale, MS, staying in a dumpy motel (motel with an M), eating deep fried everything, and spending a few hours each day in a blues joint. I’m such a sucker for this stuff, and Muddy Waters does it better than most. This is active listening foreground music or mood setting stuff in the background. It picks you up or lets you wallow in your particular sadness. It’s raw and it’s gritty and I wish I could give it 8 stars.

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