Son Of The Seventh Son
Mud Morganfield
Severn
March 20
By Grant Britt
He’s the artist formerly known as Muddy Waters Jr. Now calling himself Mud Morganfield, he claims to be Muddy’s eldest son. But whatever he calls himself, Mud sounds just like his daddy, unlike the other Muddy torchbearer, Big Bill Morganfield, who also lays claim to a Muddy parentage, but leans more towards a Buddy Guy sound.
Mud has daddy down pat. Play his cover of “You Can’t Lose What You Ain’t Never Had” alongside Muddy’s original, and they match up perfectly. But he has enough sense to realize that while he could make a pretty good living covering daddy, it don’t hurt to do your own stuff and still sound like one of the greatest bluesmen to ever pull his feet out of the Mississippi mud and bring his message worldwide.
“Go Ahead and Blame Me” has the Muddy strut and bluster going full tilt: “I tried so hard to help you,” he tells his soon to be ex-girlfriend, “but you fought me all the way/because of all your bad choices/you where you are today.”
The band sounds like vintage Muddy due to the presence of Willie Beedy Eyes Smith, son of Muddy’s drummer Willie Big Eyes Smith, who played with Muddy for 30 years, and guitarist Billy Flynn, who was a member of the Legendary Blues Band with ex- Muddy players Pinetop Perkins, Calvin Jones and Willie Big Eyes. Harpist/producer Bob Corritone also adds authenticity, recreating the Muddy years with Little Walter.
“Leave Me Alone” is more of the Muddy strut, with Flynn clanging away like a dinner bell on guitar and Barrelhouse Chuck pounding the keys like Pinetop.
This release works both for fans of vintage Muddy and those curious to see what has trickled down to his offspring. Even though he’s only got the one cover, Mud’s originals still represent the Muddy sound, proudly upholding his daddy’s legacy without stepping on his big muddy toes.
