First thing to say about this is that the music is not 'folk'! Its out and out delta blues! The explanation for the album title is in the sleeve notes and its to do with definitions at the time and trying to expand Waters' appeal.
The album was recorded nearly 45 years ago - but again don't ... Read review
Advantages: Too many to list - see the review! Disadvantages: Could cause the urge to spend money, lots of money!
First thing to say about this is that the music is not 'folk'! Its out and out delta blues! The explanation for the album title is in the sleeve notes and its to do with definitions at the time and trying to expand Waters' appeal.
The album was recorded nearly 45 years ago - but again don't let that put you off. The actual recording quality is astounding - more later. The music shows off what a stuning vocal and guitar legend Waters ... ...is available in a variety of formats - this version is the CD (which is what I have) but it is also available as a SACD, Vinyl record and DVD audio. I have heard them all in my days selling Hi-Fi. In fact we had them all in the shop I worked in because it is such a fantastic demo recording.
Recording. Well there are a few pictures and the sleeve notes to go from and basically it was recorded in a fairly large studio with all the musicians ... more
First thing to say about this is that the music is not 'folk'! Its out and out delta blues! The explanation for the album title is in the sleeve notes and its to do with definitions at the time and trying to expand Waters' appeal.
The album was recorded nearly 45 years ago - but again don't let that put you off. The actual recording quality is astounding - more later. The music shows off what a stuning vocal and guitar legend Waters really is - more later.
This album is available in a variety of formats - this version is the CD (which is what I have) but it is also available as a SACD, Vinyl record and DVD audio. I have heard them all in my days selling Hi-Fi. In fact we had them all in the shop I worked in because it is such a fantastic demo recording.
Recording. Well there are a few pictures and the sleeve notes to go from and basically it was recorded in a fairly large studio with all the musicians playing together with whole tracks done as single takes with no overdubs or edits. Wow. Try finding a contempory artist who could even understand that, let alone pull it off!
The resulting sound quality is, as I have already said, nothing short of astounding. You can sense the presence of all the musicians even if they are not playing at that instant. Its not so much that you can hear them breathe or anything (in places you can) - its more like you can actually feel their presence.
So why is that so good? Well as a demonstration disk, its a great way to show somebody what good Hi-Fi can do. It can pull you into the music - even into the recording session - and allow you to fully experience the emotions and the feelings of the muscicians as they express themselves through the music. You aren't just listening with your ears anymore. Its almost a spiritual connection. It goes way beyond even giving you goose bumps or making hairs stand on end.
So much for the technical quality, what about the music? Well its just amazing. Some tracks are/have become standards - often covered or are even covers on this album. My favourites are :- 'Good Morning Little School Girl' because it just shows off Waters' vocal depth so well 'My Home is in the Delta' for the superb guitar work and the stunning vocal power. (I have literally seen someone jump away from the speakers in shock at Waters' sheer vocal force!)
Here is a track listing:-
My Home Is In The Delta Long Distance My Captain Good Morning Little School Girl You Gonna Need My Help Cold Weather Blues Big Leg Woman Coutry Boy Feel Like Going Home
(There are so many versions of this recording that this is not a definitive list - the DVD audio includes more tracks for example. (I only suggest buying the remaster editions in whatever format, though)).
Band members are as follows:-
Muddy Waters Guitar, Vocals
Milton Rector Bass Otis Spann Piano Pee Wee Madison Guitar J.T. Brown Clarinet & Tenor Sax Francis Clay Drums Clifton James Drums Sammy Lawhorn Guitar S.P. Leary Drums James Cotton Harmonica Buddy Guy Guitar Willie Dixon Bass & Producer
Somewhat of a who's who of the blues world!
So can I summarise this? A great recording just for the performance alone. Also a great recording for the technical quality. A fantastic way to hear what your Hi-Fi is really capable of (but that could get costly...I take no responsibility for sudden spending spree's!!).
It would also make a great audition disk to take with you when comparing different systems (if you are into Hi-Fi). But it is so much more than this. Enjoy!
Product Information for "Folk Singer, The - Muddy Waters" »
Product details
Title
Folk Singer, The
Performer
Muddy Waters
Genre
Blues
Sub Genre
Chicago Blues
Release Date
24/04/2000
Original Release Year
1964
Label / Distributor
Chess / Universal Music
Engineer
Ron Malo
Producer
Ralph Bass; Willie Dixon
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
8811202729
Catalogue Number
1120272
Additional notes
Album Notes
Ultradiscs are mastered from the original master tapes using Mobile Fidelity's proprietary mastering technique, then plated with 24-karat gold and housed in a stress-resistant lift-lock jewel box. Personnel includes: Muddy Waters (vocals, guitar); Buddy Guy, Sammy Lawhorn (guitar); Otis Spann (piano); Willie Dixon (bass); Clifton James, Francis Clay (drums). Recorded at Tel Mar Recording Studios, Chicago, Illinois in September 1963 and April 1964. Originally released on Chess (1483). Includes liner notes by Bob Schnieders and original release liner notes by Ralph Bass. "You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had" and "The Same Thing" did not appear on the original version of FOLK SINGER. They were recorded at a separate session in April 1964, three months after FOLK SINGER was released. The title and cover photo of this 1963 recording were an attempt to cash in on the burgeoning American folk revival, but this is pure acoustic blues. Muddy began his career as a Robert Johnson-style solo acoustic performer, and the tunes on FOLK SINGER hark back to those days. He's accompanied sparsely by Willie Dixon, drummer Clifton James and a young Buddy Guy, who provide a stark, deliberate backdrop for Muddy's rich vocal and expressive bottleneck guitar work. The richness of Muddy's baritone is showcased effectively here, with more room than usual for his voice to resonate. The low-key setting allows Muddy to explore a fuller dynamic range as well. From the romantic yearning of "Long Distance Call" to the fatalism of the chain gang song "My Captain," Muddy's voice expresses entire worlds of emotion with only subtle dynamic changes. On FOLK SINGER's more downhearted cuts, there's a doomy, ominous quality that rivals the deepest emotional journeys of John Lee Hooker. By scaling down, Muddy managed to make his songs, guitar and voice seem exponentially magnified. Though it's one of his quietest albums, FOLK SINGER screams with naked emotion.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (3/10/94, p.67) - "...There aren't too many blues albums that qualify as audiophile recordings, but Muddy Waters FOLK SINGER surely does. A wonderfully intimate session, it delivers Waters' voice in all its power and subtlety, while rendering his guitar work...with such vivid realism, you would think you were sitting in the studio...."
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