Navya Aggarwal
Student, aged 20
As someone who revels in the captivating rhythms of Afrobeat’s and the enchanting melodies of Bollywood, delving into Muddy Waters’ “Electric Mud” provided an unexpected but intriguing detour from my musical comfort zones. Known for his foundational contributions to traditional blues, this electrified journey offered a unique perspective that, despite its contrasts, held moments of surprising allure.
Right from the opening notes of “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” the surge of electric energy felt like a refreshing departure from the familiar. The experimentation in this album is undeniably commendable, showcasing Muddy Waters’ willingness to evolve with the times.
The reinterpretation of classics like “Mannish Boy” showcased Muddy Waters’ artistic versatility, offering a fresh perspective on timeless blues tunes. It has assertive lyrics and infectious rhythm. Furthermore, the addition of electric guitar and experimental production techniques adds a layer of complexity.
The contemporary twist introduced in “Electric Mud” may not align with my typical preferences, but it’s an embodiment of an artist’s dynamic nature and adaptability. The album is a reminder of the richness and diversity within the realm of music.
Andy Currums
Executive Director; Former Artistic Director at Creative Youth, aged 34
Electric Mud, released in 1968, remains a controversial and divisive album – not only within Muddy Water’s own repertoire, but within the Blues genre as a whole.
Conceived by record producer Marshall Chess to help “Muddy make money”, the plan was for Waters’ songs to be augmented with a young, psychedelic, Chicago rock band – Rotary Connection. Chess imagined an Ouroboros type scenario where he would repackage and resell The Blues back to a psych-rock audience – an audience who were already heavily influenced by Muddy Waters and other classic Blues artists.
The album was indeed a hit in terms of sales – distinctly in the UK where it became Waters’ bestselling record. However, it was dismissed in the US by Blues purists, music reviewers, and even Waters himself who described it in later years as “dogshit”.
Whilst there is no denying that the marriage of musical stylings in Electric Mud is not always a happy one, there are still real gems to be found within its eight tracks. This is especially true where Rotary Connection resist the temptation of Wah-Wah-ing the guitar throughout an entire song and use their own form and tastes to underscore and accentuate Muddy Waters and two of his greatest strengths – those addictive rhythms, and his instantly recognisable, earthshattering Bass voice.
Nowhere is this more apparent than on penultimate track, Tom Cat. With that energetic, swaying bassline that quickly ascends before slowly falling back to earth, complimented by a Tenor Saxophone which occasionally soars off on its own Electric Kool Aid flights, Tom Cat is a standout track that is worth the price of admission alone.
56 years later and Electric Mud remains a good seller, as well as a debating point amongst musos and purists. And although you may find hard to decide where to categorise the album amongst your collection, it’s a dilemma worth having – even if it’s just so you can drop the stylus onto Tom Cat whenever you want.
Kingston link:
Muddy Waters played at the Toby Jug in 1968, the year of this record’s release.
