muddy waters at newport

Label: Chess

McKinley “Muddy Waters” Morganfield helped define postwar Chicago blues—commanding singer, slide guitarist, and bandleader whose Chess sides became the blueprint for electric blues and inspired generations of rock artists. His bands famously featured stellar players, notably pianist Otis Spann and harmonica ace James Cotton.

Muddy Waters – At Newport 1960 was recorded live on July 3, 1960 at the Newport Jazz Festival and issued by Chess that November. This set is a cornerstone of live blues on record. With James Cotton (harmonica), Otis Spann (piano and a featured vocal), Pat Hare (guitar), Andrew Stephens/Stephenson (bass), and Francis Clay (drums), Waters barrels through signatures like “(I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Baby Please Don’t Go,” “I Feel So Good,” and a barnstorming “Got My Mojo Working” with a reprise. The impromptu finale, “Goodbye Newport Blues,” emerged in the moment, with poet Langston Hughes involved. Long hailed among the great live blues albums, it captured Chicago blues at full, electrified intensity for a festival crowd and a wider audience beyond.

TRACK LISTING

• A1 I Got My Brand On You4:32
• A2 I'm Your Hoochie Koochie Man3:00
• A3 Baby, Please Don't Go3:01
• A4 Soon Forgotten4:22
• A5 Tiger In Your Tank4:30
• B1 I Feel So Good2:55
• B2 Got My Mojo Working4:30
• B3 Got My Mojo Working, Part 22:48
• B4 Goodbye Newport Blues4:50