Hard Again

Favourite songs: The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll, Little Girl, Jealous Hearted Man, I Want to Be Loved #2, Bus Driver, Crosseyed CatMannish Boy, I Can't Be Satisfied, Deep Down in Florida Least favourite songs: none.... This album is perfection!! 5/5

Chicago blues. Well produced. Good synopsis of some classic blues.

Just as good as any of his 60's work, with better production

let me start out by saying that I respect the blues. without the blues, there would be no rock and roll. it is literally the foundation of rock and roll. with that being said, most of the songs on this album are incredibly redundant. the blues, at least on this album, are incredibly formulaic with the same themes and rhythms. the blues has its place in the history of music, but listening to it now it sounds undeniably dated.

I’m not too into the blues but I’ll take it over jazz anyway. Take that, jazz!

So glad j listened to this one. This is what I think of when I think of the blues. I thought this record was from the 60s. Bad ass record.

Delta Blues!

not really my thing

I appreciate the blues representation! This was a quick, easy listen, but you could have given me any blues album and I wouldn’t know the difference.

Much like green onions, how would one adequately rate the album of something so iconic. I'm not huge into blues, the music kept me entertained and interested, but I'm not going to seek out more blues

Freaky ass title.

The blues just weren't hitting on this one. Couldn't tell one song from the next. Felt too long

In the words of Michael Scott "BUH DUH BE DUH DUM"

For when you need to get a nice stomp out

If he’s saying he’s hard (again!), I’ll take his word for it but he looks like a big softie to me :,)

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

Good fun!

Blues Classics

Not my favorite. I liked a few songs but not enough to get into it. Bluesy. Don’t love his voice. Didnt really feel like I was listening to music, it was more talking. Liked the background rhythm section.

Pure blues. I had never heard a lot of songs of Muddy but understand hos importance in music as well as his insane guitar playing talent. This was mindblowing to me as of today. Had not heard an album of his completely and this was just perfect. Heard it twice not one single flaw. Tje sound was crazy for the era and the recording quality is outstanding. Great musicians and production. Im in awe

I liked it. It’s the beginnings. And if it wasn’t for my little brothers interest I probably would have ignored it.

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

Pretty good blues album.

Solid blues album

Incredible. Impossible not to move to. Feels like the only blues I'll ever need.

Hootenany! I was really enjoying this until the sound of Jools Holland's voice came into my head. Then all I could think about was as alternative universe where they wheel out a bemused 90 year old Muddy on to the Hootenany stage. Jools banging away at the ivories, Muddy just there mumbling about getting it Hard Again. It would probably slap, to be fair.

This sounds like a bunch of guys were in an old bar and were just having a jam sesh, then decided to record that shit fr. I like the spontaneity of it and of course the actual music is great.

Ohh yeah…..Everythin’ gon’ be alright this morning

4.2/5 listened 3x. great blues album

Great Chicago blues. Lovely instrumentals. I was deeply impressed with the harmonicist.

Not what I usually listen to but very musically impressive. The whole thing has just great sound to it. Mannish Boy is phenomenal

Im not a fan of the „old“ Blues stuff

This was a slog for me. Blues just aren't my thing.

Blues auténtico por unos de los músicos más auténticos de la historia de la música popular. Ya sólo con la versión de "Mannish Boy" y sus cinco minutos con un solo acorde, Muddy Waters merecería permanecer en la memoria de todo melómano que se precie. Retoma su propio clásico "I Can't Be Satisfied" en versión acústica en el único momento plácido del disco. El resto es fuerza y ritmo como sólo Muddy Waters sabía emplear. Hard Again es sin duda uno de los mejores discos de blues de todos los tiempos.

Not really my thing, but he’s still pretty damn good

4.5

I don’t usually listen to music like this, but it’s a different kind of genre for me. My cat seemed to like it?

great album, love the guitar and the vocals bring you back to a time and place that had lots of problems for lots of people. You can hear the influence the blues had on just about every genre that followed and for good reason.

This album/Muddy Waters has a vibe! This album feels like NOLA to me (musically prolific, full of emotions, full of an energy).

Some muddy waters chill background music. Didn’t hate didn’t love

Mannish Boy is an iconic song, with that guitar rift.. been duplicated by many. Good album, lots of jamming. I dig it.

How was this in 1977? Spelled P-U-N-K-D-I-S-C-O-S-T-A-R-W-A-R-S

l'il too turgid

4.4 stars rounded down.

Hard Again is very enjoyable, it’s very raw, I imagine it’s just Waters and his band playing. That being said there are only so many guitar scales and therefore only so many blues licks. Did Waters and his band create the ones on the album?? I have no idea but I assume they are riffs that are as old as time. But I’ll give the benefit of the doubt here. Blues records have a ceiling, Hard Again may be it. 7.7/10

As a certified blues hater, this is by far the best blues album on the list so far.

Great!

I accept this as the very definition of Blues. -1 Star because I KNOW there is a joke to be made somewhere in "Hard Again" and "Muddy Waters", but I can't think of it.

This album defined the blues. It is really good but a little repetitive by the end.

5/10

Deep down in Florida…

The energy of this album is undeniable. Of the 100 or so old blues albums I own, this one is up near the top. The playing on this is a masterclass of blues music. The blues is where it's at. 5 stars all day, every day.

Yep, this is Blues. My only gripe is that's it's the same Blues he'd been playing for years.

Great soulful album!

A strong opening track lulled into nine more songs that sound exactly like it. Good for blues fans and for the use of background music, but the songs sound rather stale to those without a passion for this genre. One individual track pulled out from the others would sound slightly impressive, but each song featuring the same exact standard blues chord progression is nothing creative.

I love me some good blues. This is hitting the spot this morning. 4 stars. Reminded me of the blues scene in Adventures in Babysitting

Interesting album. Has potential to grow on me but blues is not really my thing. I came in expecting it to be bad and was surprised when i found that i liked it

2.5

Manish boy, what an absolutely banging tune. Theres such energy in this album. The music is great. Very upbeat. Every instrument is sprinkled with gold. the quality if THAT good. I could imagine sitting in a bar, watching these guys in the corner, slamming back a few old fashioned. Crosseyed cat, that piano! Quality tune. The guitar solo. belter. I have to say i really enjoyed this on a first listen. Its an album ill come back to for sure. Has an almost live feel to the recording which i like. Bravo to the person with the harmonica. Quality. Rating a high 4/5. The blues shits all over jazz.

“Hard Again” is a really good album full of energy. It’s a great jam session from beginning to end, making it one of the best albums to enjoy all the way through.

Damn good Chicago Blues from one of the genre's most renowned players. Having listened to some of Water's older stuff (talking early 60s), It's interesting to hear him adapt his playing style to more "contemporary" blues styles based more on rock'n'roll than country. Not to say the country and delta blues elements aren't there, because they certainly are with the harmonica and piano all over this album, but strictly with his playing, it's more electric and in your face. And "Electric" is the best word to describe this thing - there's an unstoppable energy here that's both rigid and unwaveringly commanding. I love the repetitive 'Mannish Boy' and the following instrumental segment on 'Bus Driver' - but most songs were a joy to listen to. I just really dig this instrumental mix and blend, but I understand if people find it repetitive - to me it just came off consistent. I don't know much about "Blues Style" playing on a theoretical level, but there's something so distinctly blues about how the chords and melodies are laid out here but it still manages to avoid feeling "boilerplate". This is the muddy, dirty, consistent sound I want from blues albums. It manages to be long while still bringing this relentless energy and grit without ever compromising its root sounds. Muddy Waters's minimal and spacious vocal licks here perfectly suit this playing style too. Great listening.

Legendary blues music!

Class actually

A vibe for sure but not really my thing 🤷‍♂️

Uggggh. I hate this stupid list so much. The first song on this is the most repetitive, trite, pathetic, worthless excuse for music I've ever heard. How is anyone hearing this and thinking it's good? It's the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over. Over 5 minutes of the same 3 seconds repeated over and over. No. Just no. Not for me.

Fantastic Blues album! Muddy Waters has such an unique voice!

First time listening. Top three tracks: 1. I Want to Be Loved #2 2. Mannish Boy 3. Walkin' Thru the Park

Loved this album. One thing I like about Muddy Waters records, and this record in particular, is that they sound like they are recorded in a room with everyone just jamming together. And most of them probably were recorded that way. It makes you feel like you could be in a dingy club somewhere and just happened across this amazing band. I hope it was a conscious choice to produce this album with a sort of airy quality that makes it sound like a live performance in a decent sized room. And you can't go wrong with Muddy Waters, really. So much of the music everyone loves would not have happened without Muddy Waters and his ilk. As far as traditional electric blues goes, there are only a handful of guys who did it better. 5/5

# 242 : Wow! Better experienced with some whisky. But Hell yeah, some nice blues. Favourite Track : Little Girl

A nice blues album that starts off great but becomes repetitive as you listen on, especially since several songs seem to go on forever. I really do like Muddy's vocals, though. 3.5 stars

Ein ganz wichtiges Fundament der Musik, die ich mag.

Previously rated: At Newport 1960 (3/5) *************************** Damn, does this start off hot and put you in the proper mood! All that hootin' and hollerin' in Manish Boy really does add something. In fact, all the chattering between songs shows that they had a good time making this album. It's straight up Blues and doesn't stray from that one bit, you would never know it was made in the late 70s. I'll put it on again when I'm in the mood. Funny thing, in the song Crosseyed Cat, I thought he sang "licked his balls." I looked it up later and found out it was "licked his paws." Works either way, really.

We can all agree blues is kinda silly right? The singer is always like, Yeah, I’m goin’ here or I’m gonna leave this lady alone or Florida or some dumb shit. 4 stars

made my chemistry past paper slightly bearable, very good album

Yup this was some music. The guitar was pretty nice

Love this album, the harmonica playing is peak

i get it, just not something i would gravitate towards

Straightforward blues music that's hard to hate but starts to drag on quickly.

Amazing music.

Es un disco buenísimo de Muddy. La viola y el piano son una locura. Esto es blues rock del bueno perro.

classic chicago blues and just about everything i want from the genre. harmonica soloing in particular was nuts and absolutely welcome

Surprisingly enjoyed this more than I thought I would, sounds more rock-y to me than most blues stuff than I heard :)

Some nice blues

I love having music from a national treasure. Ladies and gentlemen, the blues.

Nice! The blues didn't make me feel sad at all...

Aaaaand I'm back in the game. This is a legitimately good album and its cultural significance is apparent. I'm in a much better mood today.

Blues hasn’t been the usual thing for me so wasn’t excited about this. But I really enjoyed it. The energy in these performances are really infectious - so much energy! I was stuck on a tarmac for three hours last night and listened to this several times. Each time I enjoyed it more. Terrific!

An hour of slide guitar is always appreciated.

How long does Mannish Boy go on??

Fantastic album!!! A must listen for everyone.

It's good? Blues rock really all sounds alike to me. That being said I did like some of the extra emotion/yelling on Mannish Boy, so I'll give it a 2.8/5. -> 3/5.

No diga Blues, diga Muddy Waters. Álbum de regreso, del primero fuera de Chess records, Producido por Johnny Winter y grabado en apenas 3 días con una banda en plenitud. Muddy canta como nunca y deja que se luzcan las guitarras , armónica y batería de sus compinches. Desde Mannish Boy entiendes que es un disco eterno. No están Got My Mojo Working, ni Hoochie Coochie Man, ni You need love o You shook me, pero I can´t be satisfied o Jealous hearted man, sí. Con eso ya es suficiente para deleitarse con una banda que para sí quisieran otros artistas. Para muestra la fiesta de The blues had a baby and they named it Rock and roll. Antepenúltimo disco, 6 años antes de morir... pero en plena forma en plena explosión del 77 (Talking Heads, Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Television, Bowie, Bob Marley, Fleetwood Mac, Iggy Pop, The Jam, Suicide, Mink Deville, Kraftwerk, The Modern Lovers, Elvis costello, Bee Gees...). .

A good album. Some seminal songs present. All sounded very similar though if not paying close attention

No thanks

Good

Better than every album of its kind. Still not my thing 3

More like "boos" (just not a fan of the genre"

I completely understand when people say, "I am not into the blues". In some ways, listening to the blues is like reading the alphabet. You like novels and poems and everything else made using letters, but you don't want to just sit and look at the alphabet. But it goes without saying that you don't get novels and poems, etc. without the alphabet. But you are not just going to stare at your ABC's and think, "man, so great". Couple that with every asshole in the world hearing great blues albums like this and thinking they can do this and going out and making the absolute shittiest sound ever heard by human ears (https://youtu.be/BiSTW3NSp6o?si=fRkOCXxu0G1vlSC1), and you have a recipe for turning people off the genre completely. But I think albums like this are the antidote to the belief that you aren't into the blues. This sounds so much more alive than most other music of any genre, not just blues albums. "Hard Again" crackles with electricity that positively jumps out and grabs you. This album makes you feel like you are in a Chicago club listening to a live performance by a band at the absolute top of its game. It’s really hard to sound fresh and original when 75% of popular music has been biting your shit for 20 years, but Muddy Waters managed to do it on this album.

great, blues loved the vibe and what a great soulful sound

I actually owned this album on vinyl at one point and the only song I can remember is Manish Boy which is a real crime cuz this is an incredible album from start to finish. Don't know why I didn't listen to it more when I owned it! Glad to rediscover it. He was truly one of the best of his genre and he put out his best work near the end of his life. Besides his growly gravely voice being the perfect vehicle for the blues his stellar guitar playing, this band features some of thr other giants of the blues: James Cotton, Pinetop Perkins ( Check out Alligator Records blues anthology to hear one of his songs) and Johnny Winter (!), who also produced this album. An all-time classic that should be put in a time capsule for future generations.5 Stars.

Classic blues

Lively blues album with some classics. The audience sure approved!

True blues - not that Muddy Waters needed further demonstration of his bluesmanship, but this body of work stands out.

mannish boy absoluto clásico del blues, no puede existir un riff más iconic

Just classic (boring) delta blues. Not my cup of tea at all. 2/5

This would be great to listen to live! Muddy Waters is one of the few blues singers I know by name and while I don’t have blues on my regular rotation, it’s fun to listen to when I’m in the mood. Great album!

Classic blues!

This album was great for background listening. I enjoyed having this playing and I was also bopping my foot to it. The cool thing is that when the album ends (on Spotify), it continue playing similar music, which I enjoyed as well, but I think that you need to have Shuffle and Repeat off. Very nice.

Difficult to judge since on the surface it's absolutely tremendous. Behind it though it's re-recordings of previous albums and tracks. Still, that shouldn't muddy the waters.................. ;-)

So the question is, how does one evaluate an idiom that one is not familiar with other than through the aggressively subjective? There are elements of this that I think are pretty cool, but the 12-Bar blues format has always left me cold (emphasis on ‘me’). So I’m not sure how I can insert this in the context of, say, Robert Johnson or Robert Cray. (Or either of them in his context.) So it seems both futile and unfair for me to say anything other that…dunno. Nothing, I guess. (Very cool album cover, though.)

3-. Good vibes, but got repetitive really fast

Not my style of music but it was good. I'd listen to more of his music

Foot stompingly good Chicago blues. Winters et al. do a wonderful job bringing out the vivacity of Muddy's soulful vocals, even if the mixing is somewhat crackly and flat. Songs jam on and you only wish they jammed longer. "Mannish Boy" and "Crosseyed Cat" are standout tracks.

Very classic and straightforward American Blues music. Blues based music is not for me, but Muddy Waters is among the best. I can't hang with it long, but this is great to listen to every once in a while.

Smooth, enjoyable and super easy to listen to. I will definitely go back to this.

Blues is sometimes my thing, definitely felt like this was influential in the world of music, and a good listen, have to be in the right mood however

Mannish Boy is such a ridiculously good track. It goes so hard. The entire album sounds absolutely incredible. Johnny Winter’s production is perfect for channeling the power in Water’s music. I was not familiar with this one before but it is an incredible blues album.

I cannot help but love the old time blues. This album has all the bluesy guitar riffs and stereotypical blues vocals (my baby left me but that’s alright mama, I’ve still got me guitar etc etc) you will ever need or dreamed of. Defy anyone not to be tapping their toes in time to every track. Love it! 4/5 10/5/24

Great blues album, lot of dope slide guitar

If this were the Muddy Waters bar in Methuen LA, it would get 5 stars for their onion rings and pepperoni pizza. Blues aren’t my thing.

My first full album listening to Muddy Waters. Each song is pure gold!

When it comes to listening to the blues, I prefer the Chicago blues to other types of the genre. I'm a big Rolling Stones fan and so Muddy Waters is not a far hop for me when it comes to listening/enjoying the blues. I like Eric Clapton's music, but I do think his type of blues is very sterile. This album got my foot tapping and I enjoyed so much of it. How often would I put this album on in the background? That remains to be seen but it is classic and "Bus Driver" may have been my favorite track on the album. Supposedly he didn't play a lot of the guitar on this album but the backing band is so great I wouldn't even notice.

Fun blues tunes

Blús ...

You can’t not listen. It pulls you in and insists you enjoy the remarkable musicianship.

What an album- this is blues at its peak. Shows what happens when loose of a record label. The leads were just as impactful as his voice especially on tracks like Jealous Hearted Man….. Can’t believe his was 71 ….

I want to like this more than I do. But he’s a legend for doing what he did when he did it. Some rando named Frank Brown could cut the same album today and I’d give it a 2.

Great blues album.

The blues

Really enjoyed this album! Exceeded my expectations 4 ⭐️

Better than I expected, but too samey for an entire album. Favorite song: I can't be satisfied

Nice

Oh my goodness gem after gem! I was surprised by how many of the songs I had heard before.

I was absolutely prepared for worst: Somehow, when Muddy's pale kids-all who made squillions appropriating his sound-played with him, it sucked. Here, with, with an integrated band featuring Johnny Winters, they managed raw and lively. Thank Johnny Winter for understanding the strength is in it's humanity. Polish the blues and you end up with solo Eric Clapton-a museum piece, a heritage industry. Clapton should cut an album with the Marsalis brothers, and drain the blood out of blues and jazz, making both safe for the Lexus crowd. Maybe a Starbucks exclusive release. NPR would jizz. Naw. The stomping, hollering, amp humming, distorted harp mic announcing the macho strut of "Mannish Boy" heralds the goods to follow. You can smell the stank, and, kids, that's what you want in any music.

Omg the beats of mannish boy are so iconic... but I like how he thinks he is fab, I wonder what the women in his life had to say about the skills he brags about lol.. also calls himself man child, I don't know what to make of the lyrics but the music is spot on

I got on with this better than I expected. Not really what I'd listen to, but nice to have something different

Another album hit the table for this one. Middy Waters is a legend for a reason and this album is evidence. The opening call of “Mannish Boy” has been used as a mainstay of pop culture for as long as I can remember. my favorite track, though, is “Bus-driver” because that simple 12-bar pattern explodes into a jam session that doesn’t seem like it should work but does so well. I would have loved being in the studio when that was being recorded. This is one of the best blues albums recorded and a defining moment for both Blues and rock history!

Muddy is a legend. Mannish Boy is an all time banger!

Unparalleled bluesman guitar wankery, I'll never not be obsessed

It's gotta be

muy iluminado, divertido, un blues potente

I figured this would be hard going, but how wrong I was. An absolute delight from start to finish. As I listened, I turned the volume up, and a smile grew across my face. I'd only heard one of the songs before, Mannish Boy, all the rest was new to me. Excellent delivery and fantastic production. I'm left doubting the sense of leaving studio talk in after a couple of the numbers, but this wasn't too invasive I guess, and not enough to lose a star.

Classic

It actually sounded what muddy waters would feel like. And that isn't a compliment.

It’s really really really good. Two days ago I had the worst album so far. Today I have one of the best albums so far. Nice to be reminded the list is worth it, despite the all the grunge. Great work from the Rivers Trust ambassador.

Rock n Roll and blues mash into one album. Each song is so different, and unique in its own way.

Not so hard

Blues is the greatest scam in music history. Playing the same damn song over and over again, with slight variations from a musician to another.

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.

I like the enthousiasm of the band. It gets repetitive at times though.

Feel bad rating this down but I just can't bring myself to care about it.

Very good listen, except the first track I hated for some reason. Piano solos were very good I liked the harmonica

Good listen Standout songs: Mannish Boy Jealous Hearted Man The Blues had a Baby and they Named it Rock and Roll

1001 today's artist is one of my favorites, the one and only Muddy Waters. His 1977 release ,Hard Again, was produced by none other than Edgar Winters. Muddy Waters was 65 at the time and at his finest. His rerecording of Mannish boy is off the charts. What a great find.

I already find blues to repetitive enough even within the same song, but a whole album of the same blues standards everyone has heard over and over? Holy god damn. I hope there aren't too many more blues records on here. Great musicianship but really not a joy to listen to at lengths.

This is blues as it was meant to be! Every minute of this album make you want to tap your foot and join the beat. I will definitely be coming back to this one!

Muddy Waters is a blues superpower, and this album is nothing but the grittiest, stankiest, soulful-est sounds. Love the harmonica and guitar work, and vocals are simply iconic. Such an important piece of musical history, and Waters delivers.

This was a pretty good album. Blues tropes and melodies definitely get formulaic, but the energy of these guys playing together and jamming keeps it fresh. The drums on Mannish Boy are great, as is the piano on Bus Driver. Throughout, the live vibe is cool (e.g., hearing them celebrate getting the track right at the end of I Want to Be Loved — “That’s it!”). My favorite song was probably Crosseyed Cat. My least favorite song was Little Girl — once again, why was it ever a thing to refer to one's love interest that way? Especially when he also refers to himself as man in the same song. Gross gross gross. Also, I have to point out that while Mannish Boy is a great protest song, and a banger, it's also kind of exactly what people mean when they talk about toxic masculinity — the idea that a Black man has to convince a white person to respect him and call him man instead of boy by playing into other stereotypes about how much sexual prowess he has is ... unfortunate. 4/5

Classic blues lo r this stuff

Om man som jag inte lyssnar på texten så blir blues bara en blues tolva med olika tempon. Ibland bytte han inte ens ackord så det var ett ackord och en snubbe som skrek. Någon låt var annorlunda vilket jag uppskattade för det gjorde det lite lättare att ta sig igenom denna.

Day103 - crazy that this came out in 1977 it seems like it’s from a different era. i don’t know how many muddy waters albums are on this list but this is a great one

Absolutely classic blues from one of the legends of the genre. The album was more or less as expected, though some may be surprised to hear that the iconic Bad to the Bone riff was lifted from Waters' Mannish Boy. The songs do start to feel a bit repetitive by the end but I suppose that is to be expected on a blues album. Also, unrelated to the album but Muddy Waters is such a great name.

A solid blues album that showcases the power of Waters’ voice and his inspired guitar playing. Excellent production all around and a fantastic group of players. The thing that I found lacking was the songs themselves, outside of Mannish Boy this is not the most interesting set. I’m at a 3.5, but can’t get to a 4.

All blues sounds the same to me idk

Pretty much a joy from start to finish. Great production. Classic blues guitar. Loved it.

Gutes Blues Album, ohne erkennbare nervende Titel. “Mannish boy” ist allgemein bekannt und gut und optimistisch interpretiert. Andere Titel sind hatten keinen Wiedererkennungswert. Trotzdem transferiert das Album den Hörer nach New Oerleans mit den Wunsch einen würzigen Vanille Rum zu genießen.

I've been crawling through the trenches of late, 2-star dross on repeat. fingers crossed that the next Album offers something more

Loves: Mannish Boy - this song makes me feel WILD Bus Drive I Want to be Loved #2 Jealous Man I Can’t be Satisfied Deep Down in Florida Notes: The voice and the POWER <3 They’re all bangers. And this is why I’m listening to all these random ass albums.

Best song: mannish boy Vibes: a private jazz club full of prodigies Themes: traditional blues themes, leaving

Great music

Thumbs up

I like blues and I like Muddy Waters, but this album was just ok for me. I could imagine people who don't like blues might hate this. It's very much unvaried in sound and tone. You hear one song and you've heard them all. Mannish Boy is one of the best songs of his career, but the album as a whole does not do much for me. I was disappointed.

Den føles ALT for kort! Blues og rock'n roll på den helt fede måde.

Når blues er virkelig fedt så er det så svedigt at det driver ned af væggene. Det kræver at rytmesektionen holder et langsomt tempo, og det gør de på mange af numrene på dette album. Jeg fik lyst til at høre Jack Whites blues sange efter Muddy Waters. Men jeg tog lige en runde mere med Hard Again istedet. Og så lidt Jack White

Very good. If you like this album then I recommend you also check out his album Electric Mud which has a slightly bonkers psychedelic twist to it.

A great way to wrap up the week. Muddy Waters has, of course, incredible chops, and I’m also very impressed by the mix. It sounds clear (not Muddy) but not smoothed out. My only caveat is a little 12 bar blues goes a long way with me, and a couple of these songs went a little long for me. But overall a great one.

Muddy was a legend and a pioneer. One of a small group of folks that, if they never existed, music would sound COMPLETELY different today. That he got the right group of people around him and turned out this gem in the 70s is extraordinary. I think he’s always worth a listen and this is great, but does not reach the same level he did as a younger man.

# Playlist Track - Mannish Boy # Notes - Tracks are a bit too similar one to the other, so the album feels a little repetitive. There's nothing wrong with the album, but it's not stronger than the sum of all songs. - Great blues, tho!

Heavy, heavy blues. Ferocious in its way, plus deep and sludgy and genuine: one loves the patience in the playing and the let-it-all-hang-out fun the cats are clearly having. The soloing is strong but the group play provides the well-layered power. Talky vocals are great and man could Muddy holler. The background screams and shouts on "Mannish Boy" belong the RRHOF on their own. The harmonicanist steals the show on multiple cuts (esp “Crosseyed Cat”) with what equates to song-long solos. Track list has a typo; obvs, the correct title should be “I Wanst to Be Loved”). Give me muddy over JE Jones for the voice of god any day. Well worth the Grammy – a Kiwi would say "hard out" that Hard Again this got a Grammy.

Hearing this I just picture some producer walking by a bar and going "what's that sound!" and having his mind blown. I know this isn't that old in the scheme of things but it's got a great soul vibe. Great musicianship and vocals.

It's solid musicianship, but Muddy Waters has just never clicked for me the way Sonny Boy Williamson II, Robert Johnson, Sonny Terry or Big Mama Thornton did. Maybe he was just over hyped before I heard him or maybe everything I've heard is from the later years.

Muddy Waters consistently evokes the true, raw spirit of the blues, but by the end of the record, the sound begins to get a little monotonous, even though there are some genuinely fantastic songs within this brief collection.

As the young people say, this thing slaps!

Quality blues.

Great sound for an old album. 4*

Solid blues album. Really enjoyed it, even though this style often gets a bit repetitive on a studio album.

Solid Blues album. Really dropped off after that openeing track, but i enjoyed it thoroughly.

Recognize the influence. Know it’s important. Love something different from this website. But still can’t get over how “stereotypical” it sounds even when it’s not.

This here….this here the blues.

This album is not just blues, this is the BLUES! Muddy Waters's voice is iconic! To re-listen it again and again 5/5

Great outdoor background music to listen too

Bit of a comeback album from the 70s. Nobody had as powerful blues voice then Muddy The harp playing and guitar bring on the electric blues of the 70s that influenced everyone Johnny Winters produced who was another phenomenal underrated player

Royalty…

Mmm yeah. Sing me the blues Muddy

Good old school blues.

Hard Again marks Muddy Waters' triumphant return to the studio after parting ways with Chess Records. Recorded in just three days, this album showcases Waters at the peak of his blues mastery, delivering a collection of raw, electrifying performances. From the moment the needle drops, there's an undeniable sense of urgency and energy that permeates each track, capturing the essence of Waters' live performances. Waters' vocals are as powerful and emotive as ever, cutting through the mix with a raw intensity that sends shivers down your spine. The band's tight musicianship provides the perfect backdrop for Waters' impassioned delivery, with each member contributing to the album's infectious groove. Tracks like Mannish Boy and I Can't Be Satisfied exemplify Waters' ability to captivate listeners with his soulful storytelling and dynamic performances. Hard Again is a testament to Waters' enduring influence on the blues genre and serves as a reminder of his unmatched talent and legacy. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 6 STAND OUT TRACK - Mannish Boy

Recorded towards the end of his storied career, this is a cracking album by Muddy Waters - rousing Chicago electric blues by the master (and produced by Johnny Winter, whose backing yelps are audible). Every track is great. Excellent stuff.

Old-school blues done right. My brother introduced me to this album, as it turns out not that many years after it was released. It’s the real deal.

Idk. I really can’t stand the harmonica on this album. It’s like a car alarm that just goes on and on through every track but one. You can bend that note, we get it. Crazy to drop a 1 on this. Oh well.

I had a professor once who talked about blues traditions. When blues artists were making in-group music, it was about the words and the message. Instrumentation was there to give feeling. When the music was made for a white audience, words didn't matter as much, it was all about solos. That has always resonated for me with great blues and consumer blues. I mean, get that money Muddy, I ain't mad at you, but this is the pinnacle of white people consumer blues.

What a talent and a legend!! This is just a great album!! I should definitely listen to more blues.

I'm not much for jazz or blues or what ever category this is, but I kind of liked it. It was fast and fun!

Probably only 3 as it was directly after the previous album

makes me want to smoke cigarettes and drink whiskey. all songs are great but as an album i start to lose interest after a bit

Hard respect to Mr. Waters but that blues/motown sound is not really for me. At this at this time....

very good but some songs were boring

In university I took a popular music class that was early in the morning, and one day before class some version of Hoochie Coochie Man was playing. It sounded sparse and gigantic. I've never heard a version that sounded like that did, but maybe it was just from being played loud in a big auditorium. or maybe it was actually a version of Mannish Boy?? does my search begin anew?? no. it was Hoochie Coochie Man. ok. I have trouble figuring out where to place this for 1977. Is it an essential blues album? Is it even an essential Muddy Waters album? Was it a big deal in 1977 to get a nicely recorded traditional Muddy Waters album? I am not sure, but I will go up to 4 because there's too many mediocre British blues imitators on this list. Johnny Winter on 'miscellaneous screams' is a great credit. baffling choice for an album title. music: appreciated. (⌐■_■)

Most of the time I don’t find electric blues tooooo compelling, but this one has a lot going on. Cool ambient noise, Waters himself being kinda old and kinda fired up. Lots of fun.

It’s like a cool song that’s just really long

WONDRFUL!!

Great. excellent album although a bit repetitive

Blues is never something I intentionally seek out, but I do enjoy listening to the genre. Dare I say Muddy Waters is the GOAT? This album was a delight to listen to.

I won't lie and say that I don't like blues, but to me the album dragged HARD. Which is crazy, cuz the album is just over 45 minutes.

King of Blues.

Very hard.

Muddy goes hard….

This is the blueiest blues that ever blued. Also the most harmonica I've ever heard. Like waaaaayyy too much. Really not for me at all

yeah good

weww from the jump u can tell how influential he was. overall it is not the sort of thing i would often return to but it goes p hard & i did mostly enjoy it :) faves: mannish boy i want to be loved #2 i can't be satisfied

This is great. The blues like they should be.

The thing I love about the original blues generation is how effortlessly cool they sound and look. Some amazing playing by Waters (and the backing band) and vocally he's full of confidence. Great stuff

This was yesterday’s album that I missed but I’m so glad I listened to it today. It was fantastic, such good musicianship!

Wot a ledge. Great songs great delivery kinda raw.

Classy stuff, doesn't get much better than this.

Bloody good.

That's a pretty cool album!

Awesome!

The voice is unmatched. The man makes you feel like you’re living the story he’s telling, and my god the harmonica solos are invigorating! Muddy had the freedom to create some magic here and that shines through with some passionate licks and yells. I know the BB has the best phrasing, but you can really hear that slide guitar talk on I Can’t Be Satisfied.

pretty okay i guess?

Mannish Boy is a five star song 100%. But the rest of the album starts to feel all the same. A legend for sure, but it got a little boring for me.

I can't be satisfied

Consistent style of blues with a lot of what might be called trilling on the harmonica. Some songs have some pretty good bluesy guitar solos. Some are laid back (mannish boy, little girl) while others are more upbeat (Blues had a baby...). Favorite track: The Blues had a Baby and They Named it Rock and Roll.

Solid

Really really good

- is this where that guitar riff comes from????? - this is like the most classic blues music i've ever listened to

album slaps

Oh man, an easy five. I knew the hits but damn, not these versions. And whole album was killer; hit like a straight from Columbia pure dose of cocaine. I think it was Muddy and the band being in a great mood throughout; with Muddy’s charisma on high and the band rhythm section being it. Loved it.

Beaut

I enjoyed it but it did get a bit repetitive. I was bopping along on the bus to it though.

Enjoyed this,

Probably wouldn't end up going back to it but was it was fun.

It got a bit samey after a while. Not a huge fan but didn't outright dislike it. Don't think I'd listen to again.

Klingt wie Blues. Ganz okay.

Great

Think the 19 year old mistress may of had a big part to play in that one Muddy...

sus album name

Honestly, while i appreciate its importance, i find the repetitive rhythms of this album didnt do a lot for me personally

I should listen to more blues

I know this is supposed to be classic music, but I've always found most blues really boring and hard to pay attention to, especially the earlier stuff that wasn't recorded very well. Not surprisingly, I could hardly pay attention to this album. So monotonous and the lyrics were all either boring or annoying. 2 starts because at least it wasn't an assault to my ears.

fucking awesome stuff. my dad loves muddy waters, i have never really listened to much blues but if its all like this i should. i love the vocals and the grooves, and especially the drums. also wild hearing mannish boy, i've heard versions of that song so many times but i didn't realize it was actually a standard. 8/10, fav tracks: mannish boy, i want to be loved #2, i cant be satisfied

Solid, but not my jam.

I know this is really good music. I just don't have an emotional connection to it.

One of Muddy's best imo. Chicago blues with some iconic players aboard. Not too difficult to pick out Johnny Winter's guitar riffs in the mix. Solid!

I think this was my first blues LP. I love every single note and the band banter. Makes me want to sit in a dirty smoke-filled bar and drink whiskey. Hoz should have been in his band.

The perfect salve after suffering through yesterday's Leonard Cohen drudgery. Muddy Waters' infectious charisma blows your ears back and you cannot help but tap your toes, shake your head, and smile at life's big and little troubles.

Loved this. Tremendous album. Muddy and his band just sounded like they were having so much fun. A great late career record.

Hard not to love this blues guitarist. The recording is so raw and packed full of the feels. Loved it!

I enjoyed this one - I haven’t listened to a lot of blues, this had nice vibes

Diversión

Classic

4.3 - love this, more blues please

Blues music is too basic. You have to do something way more interesting to the genre to capture my attention. Were people really vibing to this in 1977 (let alone 2024)? Hard to imagine for me. 1.8/5

Fundamental blues album. Amazes me how much of rock n roll really does derive from this man’s work.

While I like the blues, I just can't get excited about this album or others like this. After about 15 minutes (2 songs), I'm ready to take a nap. Clearly others love this ... but not me. 2/5

Takes me right back to Beale Street in Memphis. Mannish Boy is great.

A few good tracks here and there, such as Mannish Boy, I Want To Be Loved #2, Jealous Hearted Man, and Crosseyed Cat.

Sounds great..get it on muddy

Prime example of how I want to be able to play the guitar.

Nice way to start Monday off

1977! Mom's graduation year bum bum ba da bum! Nothing more classic than that sound progression

The harmonics annoys me after a while, love his voice tho!

This is a late-career Muddy Waters blues album, recorded when he was in his early 60s. At this point he was already a legend, but it seems like he was in a bit of a lull in his career before this. Then he recorded this (plus three other albums in the next few years) that all were highly acclaimed and got him a bit of a resurgence. It seems like a lot of critics consider this to be a big comeback album for him. It's a bit of a tough place to start for someone that's this famous in a genre that I don't know super well. It's generally really enjoyable, and he sounds really good for his age when this was recorded. "Mannish Boy" is definitely famous enough that I knew it already, but he also first recorded it in the '50s and rerecorded it a bunch of times during his career, including as the opener on this. The album is perfectly good, probably a 3.5 really, and I know with this genre I'm missing a whole textbook's worth of historical context, but I don't think much is going to stick with me. I'm curious to hear a bit more of his earlier work, I'm sure I'll get the chance to here at some point. Favorite song: Mannish Boy Other: I Want to Be Loved #2, I Can't Be Satisfied, The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll, Crosseyed Cat 2/25/24

The blues live on. Could do without the misogyny.

blueeeees as its finest

Blues blues blues

oh i love blues

This one is difficult, because it really is a good album, but I also know the blues well enough (and Muddy Waters well enough) that I can't give it 5 stars. Yes, I listened to it over and over, yes the final few tracks are great, yes Mannish Boy is insane every time he records it, but it's not quite as good as something like At Newport 1960. But man!!! He really was hard again on this one. James Cotton just wailing away on the harp as usual, Pinetop Perkins my good friend Pinetop Perkins, etc. And Johnny Winter! And Muddy Waters! A very very strong 4.

Monster blues album. The opening track is a classic, Mannish Boy. The guitar voice and harmonica are all standouts of that Chicago Blues Brothers sound. Recorded in 1976 just seven years before his death from heart failure but at the height of his power. The only downside is that the sound has become so duplicated that some of it becomes uninteresting.

Great soundtrack for cleaning the house.

Lyrics: Authenticity and Storytelling: Waters' lyrics are the heart of the album. He sings with gravelly wisdom, drawing on personal experiences and blues traditions. Songs like "Mannish Boy" and "I'm Ready" brim with swagger and humor, while "Forty Days and Forty Nights" and "Hoochie Coochie Man" delve into darker themes of hardship and betrayal. Each song is a vivid story, transporting listeners into Waters' world of Mississippi Delta blues and Chicago juke joints. Universality and Emotional Depth: Despite their specific context, Waters' lyrics resonate universally. Themes of love, loss, resilience, and the struggles of everyday life connect across generations and cultures. The raw emotion in his voice, coupled with relatable lyrics, makes the album emotionally potent. Music: Electric Blues Revival: "Hard Again" recaptured the raw, electrified Chicago blues sound Waters pioneered in the 50s. Johnny Winter's stinging guitar riffs and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's powerful drumming create a dynamic backdrop for Waters' vocals. This stripped-down, back-to-basics approach revitalized the genre and influenced countless blues and rock musicians. Traditional Roots: Despite the electric elements, the album is deeply rooted in traditional blues. The use of Delta-style shuffles, call-and-response vocals, and blues scales grounds the music in its heritage. This blend of tradition and innovation is a key element of the album's success. Production: Live Feel: Producer Johnny Winter prioritized capturing the energy and spontaneity of a live performance. The album was recorded quickly, with minimal overdubs, resulting in a raw, authentic sound. This approach breathes life into the music, making it feel immediate and engaging. Technical Limitations: However, the production does have some limitations. The recording quality is not pristine, with occasional tape hiss and bleed-through. While this adds to the album's charm for some, it might feel rough around the edges for others. Themes: Resilience and Rebirth: The album's title track "Hard Again" sets the tone, signifying Waters' determination to overcome challenges and reassert his artistic identity. This theme of resilience runs throughout the album, inspiring listeners facing their own struggles. Love and Loss: Alongside resilience, love and loss are central themes. Tracks like "I'm Ready" and "Forty Days and Forty Nights" explore the complexities of relationships, capturing both the joy and pain of love. Social Commentary: While not overtly political, the album subtly touches on social issues like poverty and discrimination. "Mannish Boy," for example, critiques societal expectations placed on young men. These subtle touches add depth and dimension to the album's thematic landscape. Influence: Blues Revival: "Hard Again" was a critical and commercial success, reigniting interest in blues music and inspiring a generation of blues revivalists. It paved the way for artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton to explore and incorporate blues into their own styles. Cross-Genre Impact: The album's influence extends beyond blues. Rock and roll, particularly bands like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones, drew inspiration from Waters' raw energy and electrifying sound. "Hard Again" stands as a testament to the enduring power of blues music and its ability to cross boundaries. Pros: Raw, authentic sound Powerful vocals and storytelling Energetic and dynamic music Blends tradition and innovation Thematic depth and emotional resonance Cons: Limited production quality Not all songs are equally compelling Some may find the rawness too unpolished Conclusion: "Hard Again" is not just a blues album, it's an experience. Waters' electrifying performance, heartfelt lyrics, and powerful music create a timeless masterpiece. Its influence on music and its ability to connect with listeners across generations solidify its place among the greatest blues albums ever made. While minor production limitations exist, the album's raw energy and emotional depth outweigh any imperfections. If you're looking for an authentic blues experience that will move you, "Hard Again" is a must-listen.

Absolutely loved this album! Couldn’t stop swaying ❤️

Nice enough blues stuff.

че за секс

ну дед, ну шалун алкоальбом: old fashion

Дядя-шоумен. Украдёт вашу девушку, хоть ему и далеко за 50. Хотя по возрасту... скорее маму. Тот случай, когда гармошка ну прям в тему. Ну вот прям как надо, без лишних присвистов и приветов.

Really is not for me. Every single song sounds very similiar and when i don’t like the sound im not going to love the album. I get som people can like it but not me.

3/5

nice album, sehr bluesig aber nicht mein neues lieblingsalbum. am weg in der früh mim hund gehört und nochmal beim abendgassi. heurigen heute, fleischlaberl

One of the best blues albums I’ve heard

Most of the songs sounded similar but an overall enjoyable listen

Some iconic songs

Blues waterssi ei oo se meikän lemppari.. enemmin se putin apologisti lip synkkaaja waters...

Blues Essential

Mannish Boy -9/10 Bus Driver - 8/10 I Want To Be Loved - 7.5/10 Jealous Hearted Man - 8/10 I Can't Be Satisfied - 7.5/10 The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll - 8/10 Deep Down in Florida - 8/10 Crosseyed Cat - 8/10 Little Girl - 8/10 TOTAL - 72/90

Surprisingly uplifting

One of the best blues players, great album Top tracks: Mannish Boy, Crosseyed Cat

This is the kind of album I’m looking for on this list. As much as I never saw myself as a blue enjoyer, the blues had a baby and they named the baby Rock & Roll.

Pretty raw! I wants ta be loved!

Second Muddy Water album in a week and I much preferred this to the other live album that was full of filler and repeats. None of that here, just solid magic.

Bastante meh, nada reseñable