THE LOST TAPES is an Enhanced audio CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel: Muddy Waters (vocals, slide guitar); Sammy Lawhorn, Pee Wee Madison (guitar); George "Harmonica" Smith (harmonica); Pinetop Perkins (piano); Calvin "Fuzz" Jones (bass); Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (drums).
Recorded live in 1971. Includes liner notes by Tim Schuller.
Digitally remastered by Ed Johnson and Steve Curry.
In the late '60s and early '70s, Muddy's label was more concerned with attempting to make him "hip" than with remaining true to the blues legend's roots. Consequently, attempts to modernize his sound resulted in a strange dichotomy between the live Muddy and the studio Muddy. In concert, he was still tearing it up in the grand old style, as on this previously unreleased concert recording from 1971.
Muddy had not yet begun to bring the younger generation into his band, so bona fide Chicago blues vets like pianist Pinetop Perkins and drummer Willie "Big Eyes" Smith are on hand to provide that classic '50s Chess sound on a program of gems from Muddy's glory days. The old master wasn't getting any younger, so the urgency and fire of his earlier recordings is replaced here by a more seasoned, understated approach. Instead of detracting from the performances, though, this new wrinkle adds a deeper level of ominous insinuation to Muddy's sultry tales of lust.
Professional Reviews
CMJ (7/19/99, p.27) - "...[Waters'] charisma and onstage magnetism actually grew in direct proportion to his increasing age, experience and legendary status....there's no denying the power of these live recordings....this archival release is an unimaginably vital document."
