Monday, February 19, 2024: Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy

 

It's President's Day here in the old U.S. of A. 

I started out wanting to blog about U.S. Presidents, the current presidential race, and the state of play for the politics here in America.

But, I ended up just getting the blues.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012: TWOfer Tuesday: The "The Phone Sure Can Give A Man The Blues" Edition

Funny thing about the phone; it can be a blessing or it can be a curse.

Sure, it can call for help when you're sick.  It can let you talk to a good friend far away.  It can be instrumental in getting work done.  You can use it too book a hotel room in a far away land, or just making reservations for that date you're going on this weekend.

You can, like Mr King, use the phone to try and woo back a lover who has left you all alone.

But, it can also be the bringer of very bad news.  News like, you're baby's been cheating on you.  News like, there's another mule kicking in your stall.  News that you won't just shrug off any time soon.

News that can give a man the blues.

Friday, May 25, 2012: Muddy Waters - I Got My Mojo Working (Live)

RIP: Donald “Duck” Dunn - November 24, 1941 – May 13, 2012

From Muddy Water's 1969 release "Fathers And Sons", here's one of the greatest line-ups you will ever hear.

Muddy Waters – vocals, guitar
Otis Spann – piano
Michael Bloomfield – guitar
Paul Butterfield – harmonica
Donald "Duck" Dunn – bass guitar
Sam Lay – drums
Paul Asbell – rhythm guitar
Buddy Miles – drums on "Got My Mojo Working, Part 2"

For our intents and purposes here on Tribute Week, we want to pay special attention to that glorious bass.

Rock solid, always in the pocket, but still never getting stale or repetitive, always building on what others are doing, but never really stealing the spotlight. Oh sure, there are other bass players who are faster, more fiddly, play more notes, got more flash. But I guarantee you, that every note that the Duck plays on this track is exactly where it needs to be, and it's always contributing, not bringing down. This, friends, is a masterclass in bass performance.

Donald "Duck" Dunn was a bass guitarist, session musician, record producer, and songwriter. He was famous for his 1960s recordings with Booker T. & the M.G.'s and as a session bassist for Stax Records. He could play soul, gospel, rock, blues, and everything inbetween. Dunn also performed on recordings with The Blues Brothers, Freddie King, Albert King, Levon Helm, Neil Young, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Guy Sebastian, Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Roy Buchanan, Steely Dan and Arthur Conley.

What have you done with your life?

Wednesday, October 12, 2011: Muddy Waters - I'm A King Bee

I've gotten several requests for more blues.

Suits me.

I'm a king bee, baby, I'll give you your honey