The son of legendary bluesman Muddy Waters, Mud Morganfield and Fabulous Thunderbird frontman Kim Wilson come together for this tribute release. "For Pops (A tribute To Muddy Waters) represents some of Mud's favorite songs from his father including the iconic "I Just Want To Make Love To You" plus "Blow Wind Blow" and "Just To Be With You".
When you hear Mud belt out his version of the classic "My Dog Can't Bark" it's clear that the apple truly doesn't fall far from the tree. Kim Wilson lives up to his reputation as the finest purveyor of the "Little Walter" harmonica style by laying down some of his best work to date. Backing them is the crack team of Billy Flynn and Rusty Zinn (guitars), Barrelhouse Chuck (Piano), Steve Gomes (bass) and Robb Stupka (drums).
"For Pops" only scratches the surface of the impressive catalog left by the master bluesman, but this collection is a must for Blues fans everywhere. We're certain 'Pops' is proud of his boy.
I don't know why this album hasn't gotten more conversation on this website. Yes, it is a retro project--but if you're gonna do retro, do it like this! For my money, this is a desert island disc, with some of the very best sideman harp playing ever recorded. Wilson knows precisely what his role is. He's got the touch, the tone. And, most importantly, he knows how to find the sweet spot between Little Walter's sound and his own, so that you're always aware of KIM WILSON at the controls, making the choices. It's a tightrope walk, but he makes it with flying colors.
The harp solo on "I Want You to Love Me" is amazing, subtle, masterful. There's a lesson to be had in the one long pause he takes in mid-solo. Ask yourself why he takes it when he does, why he holds it as long as he does, and why he comes back in when he does. Few players in the world would have the balls, frankly, to pause that long. And listen to the full sequence of notes, including repeated notes, that he follows it up with. The timing is crazy--and right.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Jun 19, 2015 7:55 AM
RETRO???? I'm not happy about that....and I have the utmost respect for you Adam as a musician and writer, but no to retro. Paying homage to and the preservation of a timeless and unequalled era of 'blues' music. And although this is super subjective the country blues and electric blues up to the 1960's has never really been bettered in respect of modern BLUES harmonica the apple has not really fallen that far from the tree.
Why do those era's mean so much to me well, after the mid to late 60's rock/blues and the funk thing (or the mixture of both) began to be called 'blues' and comparing that to what went before it just sounded diluted, soulless and lacking feeling and of course song's as simple as being a catchy tune, there are exceptions I know but not lot's! Modern blues harmonica; the apple has not really fallen that far from the tree and is more about technique than anything else most of the modern players still play over a pretty trad sound or that rock/blues/funk thing (which in itself could be regarded as 'retro')! Sure there are some modern BLUES harmonica players that have come up with unique voices on the instrument but overall I have not yet heard a defining new blues idiom!
I think traditional is more respectful than retro in regards someone like Kim Wilson as a musician and vocalist. As for Mud...well, he copies his father mannerisms he sounds like him and most of his set is Muddy number's... maybe that's retro?
I have this CD and if you like Kim's playing on this as a sideman you have got to own Jimmy Rogers 'Ludella' LP Kim play's sideman on that and it's great!
Louis Prima Jr.does he really capture the brilliance of his dad or is this retro, derivative or just plain silly...;-)
I don't think the woman is doing a Keely Smith thing and can't sing liker for sure but she is pretty fine looking and oddly reminds of Sarah Silverman!!!
The real deal...with the great Sam Butera!
Sam Butera's version of Night Train is my favourite and I think the definitve version, cop it on a Bb harp it's the dog's bollocks!
Went of on a tangent there me thinks!
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"Those British boys want to play the blues real bad, and they do"
Last Edited by marine1896 on Jun 19, 2015 11:45 AM
Wow! This is sooo good! I love the solo on "I Want You to Love Me." Re-make, retro, whatever, when it's this good I (not for everyone, I know) could listen to it all day. After all, this is what I do listen to all day, mostly the original or best cover of songs from this era or before. This type of music touches me like nothing else. And there is so much that is great, I just can't get myself to listen to much else. So when something new captures that tone, feeling, groove so well I have to listen.
marine1896: Mud Morganfield doing his father, Muddy Waters, accompanied by Kim Wilson doing the Little Walter thing is about as close to the definition of retro as you or I are likely to see in our lifetime.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retro
retro: "looking like or relating to styles or fashions from the past"
Sorry to bust your bubble. I really am. But I'm telling it like it is. And it's wonderful playing. So your problem with what I've said is....?
I'm not you. But that's a good thing. :(>
I love the clips you've posted. I like the old stuff. But is is, in fact, old stuff. Nothing wrong with that. Just call it what it is.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Jun 19, 2015 6:36 PM
On that Lightning In A Bottle film, Kim plays a solo where he hits this note and just holds it ... It's was soooo cool, and so many people would be tempted to throw a whole lot of notes into a moment like that.
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