Hard Again

This is what I’m here for.

Damn this album is fine as hell. Maybe a tad too much harmonica in some moments, but the musicianship on the whole is amazing, along with the fantastic vocals and all around just the passion.

Not a blues fan, but this close to a 5. Instrumentals are great. Sounds like a live album.

This is cool, but it doesn’t totally click for me. I can’t articulate what it’s missing though.

Classic sound, very soulful.

I don’t listen to a lot of straight blues. But I really like it when I hear it. And Muddy’s one of the best. Loved everything about this album.

Solid electric blues album from one of the greats 4.5*

Every modern day music artist owes a massive debt to these guys for without them there would be nothing. Rock n roll started here and the rest as they say is history. This album is what a hungover cockerel would make after finding that his wife had took the dog and fucked off after he returns from a three day drunken blender 😭

Fucking confident blues right here. (19 known/32 new)

THIS IS SO GOOD!! Listened to it a bunch today. i'm sure there are a number of albums that would have been the one to get me into blues, but this is the first one I got from the generator. I've always meant to listen to more blues, just never got to it. I hope there are more albums like this on the list - more blues yes, but also just more for me to discover

An exhibition of musicianship the music was textbook blues, with what would have been considered risqué lyrics at the time the album was recorded. Love me some Muddy Waters.

I was blown away by the production and mixing I could hear every layer of instrumentation even in the more chaotic moments.

Not a bad listen. Put it on while I was cleaning and really enjoyed it.

This was a very well done album.

Like a lot of blues, by the end of the album there was a sameness that started to set in; but still bumping this up to a 4 star because it's actual blues as opposed to the usual 60s British blues-rock this list loves to wallow in.

He's a legend, and has good songs, but needed more variety for a higher score.

I am sure I am missing a lot of nuance, but blues all starts to sound the same to me after the first song or two. Fortunately that sound is pretty good.

iconic blues

Good, fun blues

This was brilliant. Proper old school blues, all the thump and growl youd wants and oozes authenticity from every pore

Well, by the time I noticed I was on the 3rd song I thought I had listen to twice the amount. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I don’t know. This is peak dance blues. That’s what I’ll call it. Where Robert Johnson and RL Burnside and the likes made blues to wallow in, Muddy made it to move. I’m a sucker for that harmonica. Choice cut: I Want to be Loved #2

Give me a martini, a cigarette, and drop me at a round table in the back of a smokey back alley downtown bar. Surrounded by a bunch of fellow music heads, we all scrunch our faces, and shake our heads at the hard blues and big feelings. This is the place to be, and the music to be listening to.

I’m not necessarily a bluesy girl, but this really hit. If I could sense some more variation, I’d be ready to give it a perfect score.

Great example of classic Chicago blues. Who doesn’t love Muddy Waters?

Listed to the first few songs. Always liked the blues. Wonder if he cut his brother in half

I feel like it’s pretty apparent that muddy waters is talented, and this was probably the first time I heard the blues and didn’t feel like it was some ancient guy singing them. It had more structure than what I would expect the blues to have, and I imagine this comes from the influence both on and from rock and roll. The guitar riffs — whether or not they are original — are pretty catchy, but man this album could be pretty repetitive at times if you ask me.

A tasty jam!

Really enjoyed this one. Couple of great tracks.

I have not listened to many full blues albums. However, I do enjoy the genre. Muddy is one of the best in this music group. Liked the album a lot.

I’m not much of a blues guy but he was very good and entertaining

This guy was having so much fun! An album to listen to if you need an instant shot of pick-me-up!

yeah!

Not my type, but def great and soulful

The Blues Genre is not really something that I know a lot about but I know that I throughly enjoyed this album.

Hard Again is a blues classic and an effortlessly enjoyable listen. Muddy Waters sounds revitalized, and the energy throughout the album is contagious. It’s timeless, straightforward, and a must-hear for any blues fan.

I don’t know enough about the blues to say a lot about this, but it was loud heavy stuff, where you could hear how rock and eventually heavy metal might evolve from the blues.

Y'know, this is good stuff.

Hard Again pretty solidly exceeded my expectations. Definitely anticipated a good blues record and it’s that for damn sure, but most of these songs are simply mighty. Tons of good energy to these songs, some of which is captured through in-studio howls or post-tracking banter. The band and production help to make these songs thick as Delta mud. And of course, what a voice.

Ik kende Mannish boy al wel, maar het album niet. Echt klassieke blues, heerlijk weg te luisteren.

God, this just goes so hard. That harmonica is like a buzzsaw. And Muddy Waters is such a charismatic presence, how could you not love this?

Favorite Track: Bus Driver

nice but all songs seem a little bit repetitive. some good old fashion blues though.

Definitely have heard of this artist, really never heard any of his tracks. This will be cool to listen to. Definitely know this first track. True blues. Going to have the king of blues right after this, BB King. This is some good shit

Love it

BLUES AT ITS FINEST

Very enjoyable blues album, probably one of the favorites of the project so far.

A real good sound. I enjoyed this one.

“Muddy Waters invented electricity” — Willie Brown in the movie Crossroads with Ralph Macchio.

Sick blues album. Great guitar.

Mannish Boy // Bus Driver // Jealous Hearted Man // Deep Down In Florida // Little Girl 3.5/5

If you like the blues (and I do) this is excellent. 4/5.

I don't remember having Blues yet, or maybe it wasn't memorable but this one was. Something special about this album is how the instruments aren't just playing the melody, they are another member of the band. For instance, Deep Down in Florida, the bass and the harmonica invoke so much emotion and soul. Yes it gets repetitive at times but it's also beautiful. Cross-eyed Cat is my favorite. As I was listening I did think how much similar sounds you find in Blues and that they don't mind. It's like this amazing brotherhood of sound, emotion and passion. This album brings me to a smoky bar, drinks following, people talking and enjoying just the music.

It’s Muddy Waters. Come on.

Muddy Waters - full grown man!

Solid.

There’s not a lot of over-complication to unpack here. It’s the blues. Wash. Rinse. Drink. Repeat.

I don’t need to get into anything about what point in his career this falls. If this doesn’t put some stank on your face and make you want to pound a hundred brews, lord help you.

Much like Muddy Waters I am also a hoochie koochie man. This is great.

I don’t know much about the blues other than I got them. Mr. Waters taught me a thing or two. Great stuff. 4/5

This is a solid 4, due to the musicianship, led by Johnny Winter, who orchestrated this late in Muddy’s career. Muddy’s earlier work never had this kind of backing band. I owned this when it came out.

A really fun, raucous time!

Very good even if the songs blended into each other. This had soul man gah damn

gostei demais

I get mad at all the 12 bar blues wanker bands, but it's hard to deny the energy of one of the OGs.

Decent

Really nice blues. Nothing special, just something to bounce your head to.

Great vibes and classic jazz tunes

This is one of those albums that I wish I could better place in time. I saw the 77 release year and thought that is awfully late for blues. Come to find out this is almost 40 years into Muddy's career. Could have fooled me by just listening to it. Sounds great for a 60+ year old man. I kinda dig these return to form albums for aging artists and this one is good enough on its own, but I'd love to have come into it with a better knowledge of his career to this point. Solid record. Favorite track "Crosseyed Cat" 4/5

Great background listen! I didn't know the riff from "Bad To The Bone" came from "Mannish Boy" on this album.

Discazo. Solo en el blues una canción que dura casi 8 minutos puede tener una letra de 6 frases: "My baby run off with a bus driver And you know that don't seem right My baby run off with a bus driver And you know that don't seem right He used to give her rides in the daytime Now she gives him rides at night" Y esa armónica es una puta locura. Chicago blues en su máxima expresión. 4.5 bajo.

REally enjoyed this - don't know much blues music, was great

Classic electric blues sound

Never hard decision to play this album again. Love it. Timeless!

Groovy and bluesy and fun.

Yo this album rocks super hard. When I was taking guitar lessons as a young lad and in a band, I was constantly told about Muddy Waters and his emphasis on rock and roll. I knew this, but had never taken the time to sit down and listen to him. This album may not be the craziest thing ever composed. But it slaps. It’s good ole home town blues and with good licks and some really technical solos. I super enjoyed this. I was even close to ranking this a five, but I think where this suffers is lyrically. Not that the blues is known for its hard hitting lyrics, but man if this album had songs that didn’t repeat the same thing like 24x in a song, I think this would be a five. This shit rocks, easy four.

Good ol’ blues 3.6

Quality

Know the name and probably heard some of his music, but this was a great soulful blues album. Musicianship was top notch. 4.25/5

4/5

Very blues. Pretty good, but they do start to sound the same...

Leuke blues muziek

Great album, great blues, it just works!

Muddy Waters' posture on the cover of an album named Hard Again was giving me cause for concern. Thankfully, that doesn't translate to the music, for it (the majority of which existed for the better part of twenty plus years) had been infused with a newfound energy that is guaranteed to further electrify the speakers. This is the kind of music that can never stay flaccid. Favorites: Mannish Boy, Bus Driver, Jealous Hearted Man, The Blues Had a Baby & They Named It Rock 'N Roll (Pt. 2), Deep Down in Florida, Crosseyed Cat.

Not a huge fan of blues but this is great.

Can’t deny the man has talent; but I think the blues aren’t for me

solo por mannish boy este disco ya se justifica

Excellent blues, fantastic voice. My second Muddy Waters album on this, I prefer live at Newport 1960 as it was more varied and lively.

Of course, the iconic song opening the proceedings -- here in a later, pristine version whose timeless production values slap... hard (again and again) -- is worth the detour, absolutely. The thing is, everything after sounds a little too predictable, repetitive and middle-of-the-road for me. I readily recognize that the recordings and the energy of the performances are top-notch. And I admit I don't have much of an ear for original blues, generally speaking, so maybe my own tastes and sensibilities prevent me from estimating this record for what it's objectively worth. Also, I already have this later version of "Mannish Boy" in my CD collection, as it's part of the first soundtrack of The Sopranos TV series, that I must have listened to dozens and dozens of times. So I don't really see why I should add the album it's from to my collection now. I'm leaving the door open for *Hard Again* for my own list, though. Maybe one day, I'll truly "get" the blues, lol. 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4, a good chunk of that grade owing to the cultural importance of the opener. 8.5/10 for more general purposes (5 + 3.5) Number of albums left to review: around a hundred, as I've gone over the 1000 line and this generator is including albums from all editions of the book Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 438 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 260 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 319

loved it. surprisingly upbeat and fun for "the blues"

Very strong guitar, harmonica, percussion and vocals. The lyrics are good enough too and fit the songs. Master of simple yet very effective guitar. 8.5/10.

He says something, says it again, says some thing else, then rhymes something new with the first thing. A standard that seems at least as old as recorded music. All in service of getting the real point, some ripping blues guitar. It’s got attitude, it’s not talent, it’s a real vibe. Does anyone represent he blues better than Muddy Waters?

Good blues album. Standouts: Mannish Boy, Can’t Be Satisfied, Little Girl, Walkin’ Thru the Park.

proper old school blues.

Bardzo dobra płyta. Co najmniej 4/5. Dwie czy trzy piosenki warte zapisania. Jedna z nich to taki klasyczny blusowy rytm (wg mojego ucha które słyszało z 2 piosenki blusowe).

first listen chi town classic

Love the raw sound of this album. “Mannish Boy” is fantastic. I haven’t really listened to it as closely before. I particularly loved the “yeahs” screamed off mic by someone in the band. Overall love the sound and the feel of this album, although it feels a bit samey after awhile.

An absolute corker of an album and one I’ll go back to again and again

Good old time blues

Fun blues album

There can’t be any list without including muddy waters. I couldn’t listen to this regularly, but if Icould have seen this live, it would have been awesome.

If I had a nickel.

Raw blues energy! Could have kept it a bit shorter, but I am not really complaining.

Now that’s a strong opening…

Damn, that was hard as phuck

Love the lead harmonica and slide guitar!

Blues de antaño. Un 4.

Just what I needed to hear 👍🏻

Blues blues blues

Such a good album, amazing guitar and blues, 4.5

I'm a little less into the higher energy, more chicago-y blues sound (e.g I Want to Be Loved #2) which is more the flavor of this album. I like the vibe of I Can't Be Satisfied and Mannish Boy more. I'm really between a 4 and a 5 star for this one, but I think I'm at like 4.45 and am going to round down. Album cover: (A) What a pleasure it is to look at that photo.

Blues records can be hard for me to rate. I really enjoy all of the guitar on this record, and the musicians sound amazing. But after an entire blues record the chord progressions and general direction get a little stale to me. Still an awesome album though.

Love a bluesy album

Despite the fact that I have heard every guitar riff on this done a million times, it somehow stayed fresh and kept me entertained throughout the entire album. A true master

Album: Hard Again Artist: Muddy Waters Genre: Negros cantando profundo Camarero, un Juan Daniel en las rocas, por favor

This is a very good album. He has a nice voice and the guitar sounds great. I also really like what I think is a harmonica (I can't tell if it's a guitar with weird fuzz effects). The only thing holding me back from enjoying this more is that every song has the exact same structure and it can get tiring after a while. Low 4.

formative could i write poetry to this? n

All of the classic Blues forms and cliches are here, but they sound fresh in the hands of Muddy Waters. Expertly presented and recorded, this was a fine surprise.

Surprised how much I enjoyed this first venture into blues. got repetitive though.

Da Bluez!! One of the few albums I allow myself to listen to on speakers instead of headphones. I feel like Muddy deserves to be played to a room and shared with people. Absolutely brings the energy. This gets near the 5 star territory, but it just is a bit too repetitive. Would be a great album to listen to while drinking a dozen Miller Lites in the Northwest Mutual field parking lot on a perfectly fall afternoon with David Burt.

I PREFER THE MUDDY WATER Never knew the name of Mannish Boy but that harmonica is absolutely iconic. That was some pretty remarkable blues that's for sure. Especially once the guitar shredding came in I was all about it. Not my favorite but still pretty great. Probably a low 4

In the Office, Daryll and Michael sing the riff to Mannish Boy in the episode where they drop Holly off in Vermont. It's also in a million other blues songs I'm pretty sure. You are now subscribed to Officefax. Pretty solid blues all around to work to. Had me bumpin the entire way. Low 4.

A good blues album... probably a great blues album. But they problem with blues albums is they get tiring after a little while and that happened with this album and is what keeps it from 5 stars.

WHAT again!? This is pretty good though

This is good, but too samey to get a 5 from me.

Swell blues by the master! Well worth the listen,

Pretty pretty amazing. Yes it's one note, but what a note. Great production. A Rick Rubin album twenty years before such a thing was a thing.

Classic album. How can anyone not like it? I don't usually listen to blues but this was fantastic.

Great album, solid tunes the whole way through. First track was definitely still the best. "The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll" seemed like the weakest one to me; just a little bit too simplistic, but then again you had to appreciate Muddy Waters himself singing it.

The Good: Muddy Waters The Bad: third time Mannish Boy was recorded by him The Ugly: there wasn’t a fifth time! I believe that I was put in a trance while listening to this album… so I decided to play it a second time, and again I believe I was put in a trance, so I decided to play it a third time, and… Reading what the actual meaning of the song Mannish Boy really is, made me appreciate the song even more, and to think it is in 1 key… brilliant. 4* because that’s how I roll

Enjoyed it more than I thought I would beyond just the classic "Mannish Boy". Solid stuff.

he's WHAT again???

Liked the blues vibe.

Blues init. 3.5

There are some things in life that feel simplistic, but can become something more with creativity, like a slice of pizza or a hamburger. To me, Hard Again doesn’t break new ground. Some of the songs here rely on some well-known blues riffs. I mean, that “duh-da-duh-da-duh” riff on Mannish Boy is in virtually every blues work. But it’s the way Muddy Waters and his band perform the songs that give this album its kick. The mix between the electric guitar and the harmonica kicks so much ass and along with Muddy’s finely aged vocals, take what could have been a simplistic collection of blues tracks and spices them up. I’m not even a big blues fan and I found myself getting lost in the groove of it. Muddy doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel to take you for a ride. Favorite Track: Crosseyed Cat Other Hits: Mannish Boy, Little Girl, Deep Down in Florida, I Can’t Be Satisfied

Liked some early songs on the album.

When I think of The Blues, this is exactly the music I think about.

🎧Damn good blues record from a bonafide legend

3.5☆/5 10.02.2024

Grew on me throughout. Glad I listened

Blues just isn't for me. Listening to a whole album of what sounds like the same song is just... a bummer. That said, this was good. His voice is just blues, and there's not really any other way to describe it. So, even though it's not my thing, I enjoyed this just because he's so dang good at it. 4/5

kind of all blended into one song but it was a damn good song

8/10

Different music style than what I'm used to. Crossed-eyed cat was my favorite song.

some good driving tunes

This shreds. I sleep on the blues until I come across great albums like this

i like it.

when the erectile dysfunction goes away

This is good music to sit outside and sweat to

Pretty good, can feel a bit monotonous at times though.

Smooth suave to set you up for the day.

Really gritty and electric album, great energy. Waters’ voice grounds the music, which already has a great balance between edge and old-school blues fundamentals. Quite enjoyed it. Best song: I Can’t Be Satisfied

Good old blues sound g Great musician

not my fav style but really great!! i enjoyed it a lot

An excellent example of what the blues is from a titan of the genre with a legendary band.

Regular blues music (not to be confused with blues rock a-la Zep or early Fleetwood Mac) is something I don't have much experience with. But I'm aware of Muddy Waters' strong legacy in the genre, and I have heard his classic from the early 60s 'Folk Singer'. This album is not only a great showcase of electric blues, but an insanely good comeback album. Even as an elder (approaching 65), Muddy seemingly reaches new heights with this one. Excellent stuff.

not bad,

Hard core blues

It was nice as background music. For some reason it reminded me of Earthbound sometimes

great blues album

No connoisseur of blues, me, but I’ve always liked Muddy Waters when I’ve heard him. Is this his quintessential album?

The guitar & keys are unbelievable! I know of soulful bluesy music but this was special for sure. Definitely worth the relisten

Quintessential blues. Love it! ❤️🎶

4/5 chill blues easy to listen to

Fun album from a legendary blues icon. Great harmonica and good vocals. A bit repetitive in rhythm but the album is short so it doesn't get too in the way of things. 7.5/10 (3.75/5)

Love this.

4, va muy duro pero el blues no deja de ser un poco repetitivo

Bello bello, piacevole

che vibes atomiche

Molto figo.

Favourite tracks: I can't be satisfied; mannish boy

Fabulous

This is the first blues album I've listened to & it's a good one.

At around 200 albums in, this is the first blues album, which feels wrong. It was really refreshing to listen to it today, which sounds ironic given how old and repetitive blues can be. The first song is a great opener and it made my morning that the first thing I head that day was "Everythin' gon' be alright this mornin'". The music makes it seem like a happy blues album even though the lyrics are the complete opposite of that. Although blues is schematic and repetitive, the album did not drag and I was happy to find something new at each of the three listens I gave it. I'll be definitely coming back to it.

You know, a lot of this old shit sounds great. Mannish Boy starts this album off with a bang. It all sounds really great.

Muddy Waters! Blues icon. Certain people you think of when you mention “The Blues”, Muddy is one of the top artists.

I enjoyed this for the most part. 4/5

The thing about blues albums for me is that a lot of the songs start to sound the same. It's the same with Muddy Waters because the harmonica comes in on just about every single song, and it makes the sound of all of them tend to get a similar sound. Saying that, it's Muddy Waters. That he was producing this good of an album at SIXTY YEARS is pretty cool. And it's not like he changed his sound any, every album has the same style and feel (again, not a bad thing). Top tracks "Mannish Boy," "The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll" (for the title alone), "Crosseyed Cat," "Deep Down In Florida"

Now that's energy. Mannish Boy is just so cool with all the yelps and whoops. It feels like it's live when really it's just a bunch of guys in a studio getting into what they're doing. Absolutely electric. Give me an album full of that. I'd say Muddy Waters and his band get close but don't quite keep it that energized the rest of the way. A couple songs went on a bit too long without really grabbing me during the additional riffing - Bus Driver, Little Girl. Still, plenty of other great rockers like I Want to Be Loved, The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll, and Walkin Thru the Park. And holy crap can James Cotton play the harmonica - listen to Jealous Hearted Man, it's almost like it's the primary instrument. So much sound. This album is somewhere between a 4 and 5 for me. I'd love to see an earlier album of Muddy Waters on this list.

Oooh yeah Wat een heerlijk begin. Wat een heerlijk album. Genoten van het begin tot het einde. 4.4*

💀

Ik gaf ome Muddy al eens een 4 en dit album is niet beter of slechter. Bovengemiddeld lekkere blues, weinig mis mee al moet ik zeggen dat Mannish Boy na een tijdje wat irritant werd. Maargoed, dat is track 1 en die ben ik al weer bijna vergeten. Ook dit album kan ik een 4 geven. Dikke voldoende.

Brilliant. Only possible complaint is that at times too much is going on. All the band are brilliant, but they don't all have to show off their brilliance the same time.

Just a wonderful, straightforward soulful blues albums from one of the masters. A delight and joy to listen to, ironically. The singing, guitars, harmonica, piano, rhythm section are all in prime form. It’s got a loose, live jamming feel to it. Muddy’s vocal delivery is right on point - finally, rhythmically, melodically. . It all works together so well - it doesn’t need to be complex, innovative…it’s just good music by a good bandleader and band.

How this album feels sleazy both musically and in character is beyond me, but it is a sleaze that makes you want to join in.

Good listen a clearly a master.

Essential blues

sounded a bit homogeneous but it’s good!! idk too much about blues music to comment more tho

There’s only so much you can do with the standard blues formula, but Muddy Waters pushes that formula to the limit

Great bluesy stuff and some classics on here, does get a bit repetitive near the end but performance is still great

An incredible Blues artist with a great collection of his work

This is dirty, low down,stinking, nasty blues. Hell yeah.

It's always interesting going back and listening to the originators of various styles. You hear all the cliches from that style and you might think it's pretty hackneyed. But then you remember that they're cliches because everyone since has been learning them from the originator. This isn't necessarily prime Muddy Waters, but even mid-tier Muddy Waters is 4-star worthy.

Very important blues album....

Beautifully produced and excellently performed. Sounds like a master of the blues at the top of his form. Something may be missing from the raw early muddy waters records but not enough to distract from all the potency going on these tunes. Nothing more to say than some really well put together hard-edged blues tracks from a legend.

very blues n stuff, i like the guitar

Slide guitar hell yeah

Amazing voice and ability.

The sound that gave birth to rock n roll, amped up and electric. Waters still has it.

Good album but I think for the full Jillions experience I need a plate of toast and a mug of tea. Best Track: Mannish Boy Worst Track: I Can't Be Satisfied

blues.. been a while

Gritty, gutsy, emotional, and biting. Muddy Waters is undoubtedly one of the key pioneers of the Chicago blues style. Mannish Boy has that classic, unforgettable 5-note riff that's become a staple of the blues genre. (Darryl even referenced it in The Office when he and Michael belted out the riff together during a car trip.) You can see the direct influence of the riff not only on blues contemporaries, but also on later rock bands – such as George Thorogood and the Destroyer's Bad to The Bone. Bus Driver is another excellent track showcasing the slow 12-bar blues in all its emotional glory. Nothing particularly novel is introduced after these two tracks, but the quality of music remains impressively high throughout the album. Most of the remaining songs are relatively unmemorable but still great tunes. The guitar and bass work is also a highlight. The production is quite bad for 1977 – notably, the year of Bowie's Low, Steely Dan's Aja, Pink Floyd's Animals, and the Bee Gees' Saturday Night Fever. There's no excuse for the fuzziness and lack of sound clarity in some of these tracks, especially given that this is studio-recorded (and not live like many of Muddy's other releases). 4/5 Key tracks: Bus Driver, Mannish Boy, The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll

Good electric blues

typischer blues, nicht alles gefällt mir. der groove aber stimmt, und damit auch die stimmung.

Catchy straight forward blues-rock. The song “The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll” is pretty spot on.

its chill ahh hell

Cool riffs. A powerful voice. It's exactly what you think of, when you think of the blues.

This is just some good old classic blues from an absolute legend. The energy on this album is fantastic, such a fun and enjoyable listen!

The Blues Had a Baby and They Named it Rock and Roll.

This is one great sounding album Production is phenomenal Everything pops

8/10. Nice blues.

Classic. Muddy Waters is the Godfather of rock n' roll. I love listening to this record and pulling out licks, and riffs, and rhythms that have been used by artists for decades. He's so freakin good at the guitar and harmonica. I love how he bends and moans it. Its pain, love, heartbreak, joy and death in every song.

It's good to hear the blues again. This album is not at the level of his live album, but still worth a listen.

Love it

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

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

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!

Good fun!

Pretty good blues album.

Solid blues album

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.

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

l'il too turgid

4.4 stars rounded down.

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

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.

Great soulful album!

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

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.

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

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

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

An hour of slide guitar is always appreciated.

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...). .

Good

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

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!

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.................. ;-)

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.

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

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

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

Great blues album.

The blues

Really enjoyed this album! Exceeded my expectations 4 ⭐️

Nice

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

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

muy iluminado, divertido, un blues potente

Classic

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Thumbs up

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.

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.

Great sound for an old album. 4*

This here….this here the blues.

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

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

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

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. (⌐■_■)

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.

Very hard.

Muddy goes hard….

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.

I can't be satisfied

Solid

Beaut

I should listen to more blues

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.

Diversión