Big Earl Sellar contributed this review.
At the end of his long career and life, Muddy Waters found a kindred spirit in Johnny Winter, the Great White Hope of blues during the 1970s. Although their collaborations lasted for only four albums, they are the far more consistent than most of the work Muddy released during his 1960-1975 period. King Bee, his last album, consists of tracks cut in 1980 with outtakes from a few years before. This album has been rereleased with bonus tracks, padding out this disc to over 50 minutes of tough Chicago blues.
King Bee was the most aggressive of Muddy’s later period albums, almost matching his greatest work of the early to mid ’50s. The studio cut of “Champagne & Reefer” is downright nasty in a way that doesn’t appear in much of Water’s works after the mid-50s: snarling guitar, mean harp blowing, and drums that pound out incessantly.
“Sad Sad Day,” sears and burns like Muddy of old. Indeed, the disc is primarily the gritty Chicago ensemble blues that Muddy himself fathered, minus all of the pedestrian backing that marred his 1960s work. Indeed, even on the token acoustic track, “I Feel Like Going Home,” Muddy burns like a player 40 years younger.
Considering most fans of Muddy already have this disc — and if you don’t, proceed immediately to the music emporium of your choice! — I’ll focus my attention on the two bonus tracks on this disc, since most of my interest in reviewing King Bee came down to these tracks. “I Won’t Go On” recuts his late-50s track, and finds Muddy singing less aggressively, but rather more playfully. Winters & Waters swap solos while “Pine Top” Perkins rattles some beautiful ivories underneath. “Clouds In My Heart” is a long, slow blues that burns in the style that Muddy preferred in the 1970s: big on fills, an almost spoken vocal, and solos abound. Muddy’s playing seems a little restrained on this track, but he still burns, leaving most of the soloing to Winter. A bit meandering at times, but still a great addition to his oeuvre.
Unfortunately, this disc still has the hollow production style that dogged Muddy’s later releases, in my opinion. Vocals aren’t as predominant as one would hope, and most of the recording sounds thin. (And why Winter played with his amp set so clean is beyond me!) Given modern technology, a fuller remaster would have been welcomed. Still, the music is so incendiary that I suppose one can put up with some sonic fluffiness.
Although King Bee was his swan song, Muddy Waters still played and sang with a vigor that belied his 65 years. If you already own a copy of this album, this reissue’s bonus tracks may not be a strong enough draw, but, hey, what’s another blues disc? And although this disc isn’t the first Muddy disc I’d choose for someone new to the master’s music, it’s a must have. I only hope I can invoke that much power when I’m a senior. Heavy.
(Epic/Legacy, 1981 reissued 2004)
