I just stumbled across this and already know I'm going to be watching and rewatching it. Muddy Waters, Copenhagen Jazz Festival, October 27, 1968. Muddy, Spann, Luther "Snakeboy" Johnson (I believe), two other bandsmen who I am too ignorant to recognize--and Paul Oscher.
MLK had been shot that April. Nixon was about to beat Humphrey on November 4th. There had been riots in Chicago during the Democratic convention and riots in a handful of black ghettos that summer. "Black Power" was the phrase of the day. This is a black Chicago blues band with a young white harp player on a very white European stage.
I've only watched the first 5 minutes and I know that what Muddy is singing, between 4:00 and 5:00, is the most heartfelt blues I have ever heard him sing. He's singing to the band, the moment, the world. That's the vibe. (Oscher reaches for a replacement harp after his solo. We have ALL been there. That won't change the vibe.)
BBQ Bob: Please tell us who the players are, and what's going on here.
Pee Wee Madison,Sonny Wimberly, S.P. Leary and that is Luther 'Snake Boy' Johnson.
Just thought I would add this footage is from a DVD that includes three concerts been around for years but that particular concert lay in the vaults undiscovered for years and that performance is often criticised because Muddy seemed a bit stiff but I think it cooks and I honestly think that Muddy was just relaxed and well used to performing anywhere for anyone at that time filmed or not! Also, I think Little Sonny Wimberly went on to play bass with Luther.
Last Edited by marine1896 on May 16, 2015 5:04 PM
Marine 1896 has all the players properly identified. SP Leary was one of the very BEST blues drummers ever, period. Paul Oscher was the very first white musician Muddy ever hired. Luther "Snake", "Snake Boy", "Georgia Boy" Johnson obviously is not as well know as Luther Guitar Jr. Johnson, who I gigged with at one time and is a much different player and vocalist. BTW, there was also another Luther Johnson based out of Atlanta GA usually known as House Rocker, who never worked with Muddy ever.
Paul was one of the very first white musicians who really got the classic sound and approach of Chicago blues, both amplified as well as acoustic dead on right.
I got to see Luther Georgia Boy Johnson a number of times before he passed away as once he left Muddy's band, he moved to Boston and became part of the Boston area blues scene. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
