Roadhouse Album Review: Mud Morganfield revisits classic Chicago blues with “Deep Mud” and Muddy Waters memories

Mud Morganfield — “Deep Mud” — Nola Blue Records

The album “Deep Mud” roars to life with the Chicago blues toughness of “Bring Me My Whiskey” — and its vocal echoes of the legendary Muddy Waters, courtesy of his son, Larry “Mud” Morganfield.I

It’s hard to think of Mud, who just turned 71 on Sept. 27, as a young man helping to cap off his father’s magnificent career as a bluesman. Instead, he’s a polished performer of his own, devoted to the music that is his heritage, whose vocal tone and phrasing just happen to sound a lot like his father’s.

Still, Mud didn’t consider becoming a professional musician until after his father’s death in 1983. And he didn’t really come into his own until the 2000s, when he began to perform more widely and recorded several albums. The old-time classic Chicago blues singer Mary Lane gave Mud some of his earliest opportunities to perform on the West Side. “Deep Mud” is his recording debut on the Nola Blue label.

This album captures the essence of his blues roots, produced by Chicago blues traditionalist Studebaker John, who also plays harp on ten tracks. His regular backers appear here: Guitarists Rick Kreher and Mike Wheeler, drummer Melvin Carlisle, bassist E. G. McDaniel, and keyboardists Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi and Roosevelt Purifoy. Trumpeter Phil Perkins adds the horn arrangements. Twelve of the fourteen tracks are originals; two come from his father’s considerable body of work.

The music here is pure, unadulterated Chicago blues: “Listen, man” Mud says, “it is Chicago blues. No rock-blues here for Mud. I talk and I sing about real things, real live people, real situations…So, it’s Chicago blues at its best. They ain’t trying to do that no more, but that’s what it is.”

Maybe “they” aren’t trying to do that, but Mud certainly is, and these results breathe new life into this classic music.

The rollicking “Bring Me My Whiskey” and “Big Frame Woman” get the music started in high spirits, followed by the scorching slow blues of “Strange Woman,” written by Muddy the Elder, on which Mud plays bass. Mud’s vocals here are a haunting memory of his dad’s, but that’s no to say that they don’t stand completely on their own. Mud is a powerful singer with a deep, rich voice.

“Don’t Leave Me” flows in behind John’s supple harp, and the upbeat “She’s Getting Her Groove On” adds Perkins’ trumpet and a danceable R&B flavor. “Ernestine” features a rousing, shouted vocal and “Strike Like Lightning” is another slow-dragging gem. “Cosigner Man” brings the horn section back for more R&B with a gospel-like choral backup, and “Lover Man” rides a frisky harp.

“In and Out of My Life” strikes a funkier note, with softer vocals and a backup refrain. “The Man That You’re With” brings back the Chicago sound with a steamy guitar solo and deep blue harp. “Carolina” shuffles in with an ode to “sweet Carolina,” followed by a tough cover of Muddy’s “Country Boy.”

The closer is the eloquently soulful “A Dream Walking,” roused to life with a glorious Purifoy organ intro, and a gospel-drenched lyric that pays tribute to Mud’s late mother, Mildred Williams.

“Deep Mud” is a powerful reminder of the strength and vitality of the classic Chicago blues sound, which was driven to a large extent by the music of Muddy Waters. His eldest son, Mud Morganfield, lets us revisit that era and those blues with his own magnificent musical statement.

Here’s “She’s Getting Her Groove On,” from the album:

Mud Morganfield Deep Mud Track Listing and Credits

All songs written by Mud Morganfield (©Pops Daisy Entertainment) except Strange Woman and Country Boy.
Produced and arranged by Studebaker John.
Horn arrangements by Phil Perkins.
Engineered, mixed and mastered by Brian Leach and Studebaker John at Joy Ride Studio, Chicago, IL
Additional mastering at Studio Jack, Brookfield, IL
Mud Morganfield – vocals (all tracks), bass (3); Rick Kreher – guitar (all tracks); Melvin “Pooky Styx” Carlisle – drums (all tracks); Studebaker John – harmonica (1,2,3,4,6,7,9,11,12,13); Mike Wheeler – guitar (all tracks except 3,13,14); E.G. McDaniel – bass (all tracks except 3,13); Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi – piano (1,2,3,4,7,9,10,11,12); Roosevelt Purifoy – piano (5,6,8), organ (5,6,8,14); Rodrigo Mantovani – upright bass (13); Phil Perkins – trumpet (5,8); Felicia Collins – background vocals (8, 10, 14); Kristen Lowe – background vocals (8, 10); Jacole Avent – background vocals (14); Demetrias M. Hall – background vocals (14).

Blues Roadhouse

Roadhouse Album Review: Mud Morganfield revisits classic Chicago blues with “Deep Mud” and Muddy Waters memories

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