Reviews (page 3 of 13)
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.
Mannish Boy to start an album? It's easy to imagine that everything is a disappointment after that opener. Every song could be great an just pale in comparison to the quintessential Muddy Waters/blues song. Bus Driver is a good song. Do I like the blues more than I thought or just Muddy Waters? This album is great and Muddy Waters is an underappreciated genius. I Can't Be Satisfied is another great song. There's an old-timey element to it that is really fun. Maybe it's just because I had it as the album before, but you can hear the influence of this record on the White Stripes' Get Behind Me Satan, both in terms of the music itself and the playful tone of the album. I am loving this, every song is good to great. The back half of the album is less impressive than the front half, but not bad at all.
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.
Really really good blues
I thought I was going to be bored with a basic blues album, but this album kicks ass! It's like the best night at a bar you've ever had. The whole band is on fire (and James Cotton blows the top off the room every time he does a harmonica solo) and the whole thing has a surprisingly hard edge. That said, there's also a surprising amount of joy in the music. Couldn't help but bop along and smile the whole time. Great stuff. Favorite tracks - Mannish Boy, I Want to Be Loved, I Can't Be Satisfied, The Blues Had a Baby.
'The blues had a baby, and they called it rock and roll', so true! My favorite genre of music is the blues and blues-based rock and roll. This album is awesome from start to finish. Muddy Waters is the king of Chicago blues. I added this to my favorites.
Classic sounds. Reminds me of my childhood especially hanging out in Willow.
" Mannish boy" ist ein unglaublicher Start. Scheinbar monoton fetzt es ungemein und arbeitet spannend mit Stimmen und einzelnen Gitarrentönen. Es geht super ab und hält das Niveau in Blues und Bluesrock. Für mich ist das mehr als eine 5. Wow
Loved the Blues and Jazz mix instruments piano, harmonica stand outs!
5 stars. Loved it.
Hammer Blues! Wenn man etwas auf den Text achtet, hört man wie schon damals gespritzt wurde wie heute im Rap gang und gäbe
Guy's synonymous with the genre for a reason. Blues is not my favorite genre but this feels like an exemplary record within it. Modern production, still goes hard af. Has electric and acoustic blends throughout.
Ain’t nobody get outta here without singing the blues.
#287. I've never listened to Muddy Waters before, and apparently that was a mistake. Every bit of this is nothing less than fantastic. 5/5: perfection
Ah man what a freaking album. I love this so much. The energy on this record goes so hard and I absolutely love how hard Paul Allan Oscher goes on the harp. This is one of the records that absolutely deserves a place on this list. It feels like a quintessential cornerstone album. I don't know the history of the blues very much but it seems like this was very influential. My favorite band of all time is KGLW and Ambrose clearly has Muddy Waters as one of his inspirations which makes me super happy. Ambrose even teases Got My Mojo Working in one of their boogie-inspired songs.
Beauty within chaos! I'm a man, I'm a real man, I'm a rolling stone!
This was fantastic. If you basically imagine what a blues album should sound like and this is the blueprint (pun intended) I throughly enjoyed this and even when it finished and kept playing other similar artists I left it on an easy 5 a nice reminder of why I am doing this project
I was expecting a half decent album by a legend past his prime, some blues standards well delivered. But this is next level awesome. Johnny Winter has done a brilliant job. Muddy, the band, the production - all on point. This is not resting on nostalgia, it's vibrant and current.
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
In the words of Michael Scott "BUH DUH BE DUH DUM"
Blues Classics
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
Incredible. Impossible not to move to. Feels like the only blues I'll ever need.
Ohh yeah…..Everythin’ gon’ be alright this morning
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.
4.5
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.
Great!
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.
“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.
Fantastic Blues album! Muddy Waters has such an unique voice!
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
made my chemistry past paper slightly bearable, very good album
Love this album, the harmonica playing is peak
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!
Fantastic album!!! A must listen for everyone.
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.
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.
Classic blues!
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.
Great blues album, lot of dope slide guitar
My first full album listening to Muddy Waters. Each song is pure gold!
You can’t not listen. It pulls you in and insists you enjoy the remarkable musicianship.
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.
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!
Unparalleled bluesman guitar wankery, I'll never not be obsessed
It's gotta be
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day104 - 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
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.
As the young people say, this thing slaps!
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
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
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.
WONDRFUL!!
King of Blues.
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!
Really really good
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.
Great
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.
Fundamental blues album. Amazes me how much of rock n roll really does derive from this man’s work.
Sounds great..get it on muddy
Prime example of how I want to be able to play the guitar.
blueeeees as its finest
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 ❤️
ну дед, ну шалун алкоальбом: old fashion
Blues Essential
Surprisingly uplifting
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.
Oh, what great blues! I loved Waters from the first chord. I've been playing the blues for a long time, but after Waters, I just want to sing it now.
Love it. I could listen to this kind of blues all day.
Blues as blues is meant to be
Awesome album!
Love the Blues
Erg goed. 3x helemaal geluidterd. Mannish boy beste
Album #14 What a way to start our the day: Oh, yeah Oh, yeah Everything gonna be alright this mornin' Great album to start the day, awesome riffs and groove. The lyrics might be blues but the beat is definitely a pick me up.
Fabulous music
Great blues, Muddy Waters featuring Johnny Winter and James Cotton. I was lucky enough to catch the tour to support this album twice. A classic.
I typically don’t like blues music but this album made me question if that’s actually true. I’m definitely keeping this on my phone to listen to again. Wow…maybe I really do like the blues.
A wise man once said: There are only two songs ever written: one was the blues, and one wasn't.
Mannish Boy makes this album deserve a 5! I have lost the number of times I've seen live bands of varying degrees of ability playing this song from Brazil to New Orleans and it's always been great. A lot of great blues after that, would definitely listen to this from time to time.
Good blues
Excelente sonido de Jazz para entrar y escuchar plácidamente un domingo de tarde
Any album that starts out with MANNISH BOY is gonna be great. This is the song and the version that I've always associated with Muddy....the kind of song that you start over and over just to hear the opening. I challenge you to put this album on and sit still. Muddy Waters – vocals, guitar. Johnny Winter – guitar, producer, miscellaneous screams. Bob Margolin – guitar. Charles Calmese – bass guitar. Pinetop Perkins – piano. James Cotton – harmonica. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith – drums. __________________________________ 🎧 # of LPs reviewed: 16 🎧 # of LPs left to review: 985 🎧 # of LPs I found great/relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 4 🎧 # of LPs I *might* include in my own list: 7 🎧 # of LPs I will certainly *not* include in mine: 4
A blues classic.
Now we're talking!
emily get back to work
10 / 10 El mejor Blues posible
Perfect example of Chicago blues
Love the blues. I did not realize how much I would enjoy this album.
Great classic blues from a legend! Didn’t even consider skipping a song. 5 stars!
Really nice electric blues babe!!
How not to love an album that starts with an Oh Yeah! And then proceeds to show the bleeding sound of that guitar weeping of joy all along the album… The piano, all the guitar solos, everything is exquisite. The fine humor in the lyrics is appreciated as well. And the title… (that’s what she said!!)
Great album, I can't stand the blues.
Really fun, lots of energy. Muddy Waters is considered one of the best for a good reason. Mannish boy is a classic and this recording is absolutely classic blues. Bus diver feels like sitting in on a jam session with your friends
Fantastic blues album. Enjoyed every track makes if hard to choose a favorite, although Manish Boy probably takes the cake. So many iconic blues riffs in the album definitely will return to this one.
A good album, I loved the style of music as it's so different from what I usually listen to. I especially liked I Can't Be Satisfied and could listen to it on repeat.
Great Blues album that has been sampled over and over again by many artists
Great energetic blues. A legend in his stride. 9/10
Very few albums have better captured the atmosphere of a genuine Electric Blues session like Hard Again. It’s difficult to analyse properly, because it’s so foundational that it’s impossible to imagine a world without this sort of music. It’s like trying to imagine a world without fire. So many of the innovations that we have made in the name of music come from the Blues, so many of the innovations that we have made in the name of cooking, or civilisation have come from fire. And yet, Hard Again also represents a last hurrah for black led Blues music. Since it’s release, Blues in it’s image has been recorded almost exclusively by dorky looking white guys with beards. And a lot of it has been very good, don’t get me wrong. But there is something that hits differently when played by a group of originals and innovators like Muddy Waters and his group. And I can’t think of a better swan song for black led Blues than this
I have always known of Muddy Waters, but I had never actually listened to a full album of his. Absolutely amazing.
Not super into the blues
Raucous and inspired. Winters, Waters, and company quite literally caught lightening in a bottle with this record.
Loved it! The basis for “the blues”!
What an opening! No wonder this blew peoples’ minds back then. I imagine listening to it for the first time live. Wow! Great album and incredible artist.
Fantastic
What a voice. The sound of a raw nerve exposed to the driving wind. The blues is number one, I said the blues! is number one!
LOVE LOVE LOVE oh my word never heard the full album and it's amazing. Couldn't stop myself from dancing.
Legendary. This recording has a raw, live quality that makes it feel genuine and energized. The piano is a touch out of tune. Love it. 4.7
Sweet Christ I've been missing out.
love me some blues
5/5 OG BBQ Blues with catchy hooks and rhythmic downbeats that make you sway and join into the melodies with affirmation. - Craig 12/1/23
If you listen to this and don't know the blues you never fuckin will.
Hard Again starts out so strong and never loses any energy throughout its entirety. I’m not a huge Blues fan, but this was exceptional - not a single song that was less than fantastic.
This album's worth it just for "Mannish Boy." Two thumbs up.
Hot damn, this is blues perfection! I love this genre for its grit, soul, storytelling, and guitar playing. Without blues (and country) there would be no Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, etc. I listened to this album twice, it's that great. And what a beautiful way to experience the guitar. This is peak musicianship. Anyone who disagrees can take a hike. 5 stars.
The blues doesn't get much better than this. Fantastic listen.
I'll be honest. Hearing re-recordings of some of Muddy's classics really did not endear this album to me initially. But given the stage in his life, and the fact he would about 6 years later... this does seem like a great way to preserve his memory. Great blues for those unfamiliar with Muddy Waters. Hearing more of Pinetop Perkins was an absolute treat.
Another Root on the Rock Tree
Opening track is so good. Every song has so much energy behind it I can only imagine when the music is being played live. This might be my favorite blues album. Only negative is sometimes getting bored on 6+ minute song. Rating: 4.6
One of the greats playing great songs with a top tier backing band. Good production and great vibes and energy, a lot to like here.
Banger. Mannish Boy to start? Legend.
Absolutely loved this album. Listened to it while taxing kids around and everyone was enjoying it.
I will never not five-star muddy Waters
Awesome stuff
Iconic. I can hear how so many bands and artists have been influenced by Muddy Waters.
Magisterial.
Just amazing. Slow bluesy songs recorded with no pretensions.
Love this album. Great stuff. Shows the real power of the blues.
I can't be satisfied. Oh wait. Yes I can. By the track "I can't be satisfied". Bluesgasm.
Just a really great album overall. The vocals and the guitars are just amazing. 9/10
5/5
What an electric album. Feels like you’re in the room with Muddy Waters and his band.
Great stuff
Muddy Waters remains one the most consistent artists that'll improve my mood once I listen. Just unmatched. 4.5/5
I just love the blues man. Easy listening.
Blues op z'n best, dikke 5 sterren.
I like the blues and this album is no exception. All around great performances. Did not feel like a nearly 50 minute album.
Muddy is the king of electric blues
That’s just perfect blues music. Guitar is perfect. Harmonica adds a lot. Couldn’t listen closely to lyrics as I was working while listening, but loved the energy of the whole album.
when I'm not in the mood for it it's annoying asf but when I am in the mood for it it's so much fun he such great energy
Muddy Waters the father of the Chicago Blues…the influence on music is undeniable, The Rolling Stones named their band after one of his songs! This album is amazing! The driving blues riffs, the drums, piano, guitar, harmonica and of course Muddy Waters singing the blues!
Straight-up authentic blues from one of the greatest to ever do it
I've been a fan of Muddy Waters and the blues all my life. This album just makes me smile.
Mm, this was some good shit. I liked it so much I tried a Muddy Waters collection of greatest hits next and didn't like it nearly as much, so glad the 1,001 folks chose this album.
Great blues album.
I'm normally not much for blues, but this was incredible.
Solid album all the way trough. Incredible musical talent!
Track 1 - WOW
All you people, you know the blues got a soul Well this is a story, a story never been told Well you know the blues got pregnant And they named the baby Rock & Roll Muddy Waters said it, you know the blues got a soul James Brown said it, you know the blues got a soul Well the blues had a baby and they named the baby rock & roll Ray Charles said it, you know the blues got a soul John Lee Hooker said it, you know the blues got a soul Well the blues had a baby and they named the baby rock & roll Otis Redding said it, you know the blues got a soul Queen Victoria said it, you know the blues got a soul Well the blues had a baby and they named the baby Rock & Roll Outstanding. 5/5
Great blues album. Need this in my vinyl collection.
yeah, this is it. to be honest, this album felt like one of the purest forms of music. all killer, no filler. just a bunch of dudes playing the blues in its purest form. a blast to listen to!
There are some albums that you wish you could have heard live, in its full glory. This is one of them. It's the perfect intersection of blues, soul, and a little bit of rock & roll. Muddy Waters is full of swagger, and the guitar playing is exquisite. It reminds me of Gary Clark Jr., which makes this even more impressive when you realize that Clark is only 39 while Muddy Waters was 64 when this record was released. Big props to the man. If I were to critique it I'd say that it starts wearing out its welcome towards the end, but it never actually gets to that point and instead closes out at a perfect 45 minutes. Standout tracks are Mannish Boy, Bus Driver, and Jealous Hearted Man.
Awesome album.
This might be the greatest album I've ever listened to. Mannish Boy, with more modern equipment and a senior citizen's growl, is mind-blowing.
BLUEZ that make you feel STANKY
A Blues legend doing wonderful Blues stuff. Not much more needs to be said. Could listen to it forever.
Mmmmmm. Blues!
Classic Blues
The best.
Loved this as much as I love his earlier work. Great band, great songs, great playing and that voice. Whatever Muddy Waters had, he's still got it here. Love the cover / photo, too.
I really should listen to more music like this. Outstanding.
Fun old school blues in a smokey bar
Blues at its best.
This is a great soul and blues album. Full of energy and one of the greatest guitar works I've heard. Loved it.
Love Muddy Waters anyway, so this was an easy one for me.
Loved it
Loved it!
Happy
Guitarra em êxtase.
Been sitting on this album for a few days before giving my final rating, and I can’t stop stop listening to this, I’m a blues fan so obviously this ticks all my boxes, a come back album from a man who’s prime was before the album era, does that then make this his best album? I’m still to get live at Newport, so I will defer that decision. But in the meantime I’ll put it out there this is one of the best blues albums Iv heard, so that deserves 5 stars in my book.
Joyous. Never listened to this before. Love it. At some point someone will explain to me how Rumours scores higher than this. I expect the explanation will include the phrase “ignorant bunch of fuckwits”.
Fantastic blues album from start to finish.
Muinto legal mas as musicas sao bem parecidas! Mas bem influente posso perceber
5 punkte
When I first saw this come up I was hesitant because I saw he was redoing tracks he had previously recorded years earlier like Mannish Boy and I Can't Be Satisfied. But I have to say, all it took was his voice to come on and I was hooked. Blues is one of the lower rated categories for me on here, but that's because it's mostly shit like Eric Clapton that sinks it for me. But this is the real deal and it comes down to 3 things: 1) the production is nearly perfect with a live-in-studio sound that captures wonderful banter and excitement without overdoing anything, 2) the playfulness of his lyrics, and 3) the sheer power of his voice. Though I first heard Mannish Boy on The Real Folk Blues, I must say it's a toss up for me which is better, and I might actually lean towards this version in many ways. I like how his voice aged and his delivery is so intense, he absolutely commands your attention. This is a 4.5 for me but I'm gonna round up to 5 to make up for all the shit blues clogging up this list.
Love Muddy!!
This version of Mannish Boy is one of the greatest recordings of any song ever. When I listen to blues, which is admittedly not all that often, but when I do this is pretty much what I want to hear.
This is pretty much perfect/peak blues. I can't think of a blues album I like more than this one.
Considered the comeback record of Muddy Waters in the 1970s. It's a fresh, rocky collection of blues song that make you get going in the morning.
Love the blues
Muddy is my buddy
so fucking heavy and that dude was 65 years old
I LOVE Muddy Waters, he's on constantly in my home.
That the real blues!!!
It was great!
100% amazing
Classic Muddy Waters. Love it.
Album 20 of 1001 Muddy Waters - Hard Again Favorite Track : The Blues Had a Baby and They Named it Rock and Roll Rating : 5 / 5 It is a going to be a good weekend when you're up and listening to some Muddy Waters at 5:45 am. I've realized that I'm a big fan of the blues. This is only the latest I've heard since starting listening through this list. Every track is fine. Some you may like better than others, but there isn't a dud in the bunch. It's Muddy Waters. It's going to be good. Give a listen.
Dit is de shit! Moddervette blues met planken van heel erg dik hout. Het staat als een huis en het speelplezier straalt ervan af. Meer van dit en minder deprimerende Britse garagebandjes graag.
Je bent geneigd de zanger te reviewen. Want man, die stem klinkt lekker. Maar ik geloof dat ik een instrumentale versie ook 5 sterren zou geven. Het swingt en het ragt, het jazzt en het rockt.
De blues is eigenlijk muziek voor droevige eenzame mannen, die de treurigheid van hun bestaan bezingen met huilende gitaren en tranentrekkende teksten met "why my baby left me" of iets dergelijks. Maar Muddy maakt het juist draaglijk en vrolijk, ondanks dat de teksten uiteraard voornamelijk over meisjes gaan. Je zou er bijna op gaan dansen. Dit is echt de beste vorm van blues wat mij betreft.
Absolute genius, sounds much older than 1977 (in a good way!) One of the best artists ever, a hero to everyone to pick up a guitar
My new jam!
Oh mercy, this is the stuff! Fantastic.
5 I was fortunate to see Muddy in a small venue in the early 80s fantastic.
DA NA NA NA NA
Just wow. This was quintessential blues, at its best. Muddy Waters is a legend. This was so great to listen to.
Finally, a great album! I start questioning this guy's taste in music when we get these long stretches of 💩.
Mannish boy is so badass. I love the drums on here the snare tone is so trashy and cool. I like the groove on Cross eed Cat. I like the groovy acoustic vibe on I can’t be satisfied. I like the space in Deep Down in Florida.
So sick. mannish boy is so iconic and this is such a perfect blues record. James cottons harmonica is killer. I love the drum sound throughout. Somehow they feel wonky but super groovy at the same time.
God the drummer is incredible. I would listen to 1001 albums just like this.
Oh shit! Awesome all the way through.Listening to this makes you realise how todays music is just a sad aferthought of the geniouses before them.
Hard to go wrong with Muddy Waters. This is just absolutely solid blues. Not sure I agree with the sentiments about Florida expressed herein, but that takes absolutely nothing away from the album.
Oh fucking christ yes. This is hard electric blues and what I want out of it. This album goes hard and sounds amazing. Electric blues on full display here.
Excellent album. Pure blues.
This is such classic blues, and the only surprise to realize it came out as late as 1977. This is truly one of the best representations of the blues sound (okay, there are a lot of other great albums I can now think of, but you know what I mean).
One of my all time fave blues albums this, absolute stomper from start to finish
I'm down a blues rabbit hole. Love it
I heard of Muddy Waters but I've never listened to an album of his. You go to the cinema to watch the latest blockbuster. It's got special effects, explosions, bells, and whistles. You come out thinking, that's two hours of my life I won't get back. Then you see a movie with no special effects, actors who can act and a plot. You come out of the cinema and feel that your soul has been nourished. That's how I felt after listening to this album. Great musicians performing songs that tell a great story in a few minutes. What an experience. You can understand why so many rock musicians list Muddy Waters as a significant influence. Even the album cover if straight forward, with no frills; just Muddy Waters looking as cool as you’d expect. I enjoyed the whole album and loved at least half of it, particularly Mannish Boy, which has over 7 million listens on Spotify, so apparently other rather enjoy it too.
Love it.
Amazing, I really liked this
Good album. Would listen again Consider buying vinyl
About as straight ahead post war blues as it gets. Nothing to fault.
Blues baby. Gave an audible "damn" on track one. Loved it
Such a good album of this style of blues
kachonk kachonk
i am gay
5 stars!! It's like it was recorded live and yet it sounds so so good. The only shame is that other blues greats weren't given a polished, late-career, album-era recording as good as this. So incredibly grateful that we do have this. And that a 60-year-old Waters and co. could serve up some classics and some new cuts with as much tenacity as they ever did. And that Johnny Winter was able to give it the proper album treatment so that it might just live forever. As lively as it ever was. Like you're right there in the room. Makes me smile and shake my booty all the time.
Exactly what I'd expect from Muddy Waters. I won't listen to this often, but it's a vibe.
Really enjoyable music!
Raw from the the floor blues that hits just right with every track
Loved it
Just exactly what blues should be. Frantic, convivial, frenetic fun.
I love blues music. However, I do have to admit that most blues songs, from any blues musician, all use the same three chords, key, and chord progression. It does tend to make it all blend together into one long song.
Awesome!
TIL that Muddy Waters' given name is McKinley Morganfield. Huh! Difficult to put aside my deeply ingrained feelings for this music enough to give it an objective listen. I was shocked to discover that it was recorded in 1977 and not 1950. I don't know how to critique this. Every track puts my entire nervous system in sympathetic resonance (this is a good thing). I'm going to put it on again.
This is exactly how the blues should be.
Great sound, sounds like they had fun recording.
Just great blues
Fantastic blues album with great guitar playing
If someone asked me what is blues music, I'd give them this album. I could listen to this all day, and all night.
Great Chicago blues
An amazing achievement for someone in their 60s. This album is polished and full of catchy riffs. The guitar solos are purposeful and hold interest.
massa o sonzão, blues das antiga