#57: Muddy Waters - Muddy Waters at Newport (1960)

Muddy Waters is amazing. This album made me reconsider all of the previous scores I gave to past blues/jazz albums. Before this album I would rate it based upon how good it was - if I didn't dig it, it didn't matter. I can hear when an album is really solid - anyone can. However, this album is not only influential, but the music is phenomenal and it hits you in the chest. This is the blues at it's best and if it's not - I'd love to hear something better. What's even crazier? This was recorded live.

I Got My Mojo Working
Not all blues songs are made equal. Muddy keeps it clean and fresh throughout the album with varying tempos and feels. But It's all blues. "I got my mojo working but it just don't work on you." This is beyond words it's just so damn good. I hear so many of my all time favorites in Muddy's music. There's no way John Popper has never heard this album. It has so much energy, how could anyone in the crowd resist going nuts? It's so good that after the song - they play it again.

(I'm Your) Hoochi Coochie Man

He does the blues better than anyone I've ever heard and it's not even close. Clapton's 'Unplugged' album has always been my go to blues album for musicality and the Blues Brothers for energy. They both have been dethroned. Muddy's band is just as talented as he, they're phenomenal but still... Muddy is the man. He's go the soul, he's got the pain, he's got the confidence, he's got everything.

Soon Forgotten
The piano is ridiculous. It's covered in soul and blues and it makes some of the best sounds out of a piano ever made. The harmonica plays so well off of everything, no one steps on each other's toes which is really is amazing considering all that's going on. Sure, the drums are simple but they get it done. I can't say this enough: this is the blues, this is the best I've ever heard.

All in all, I can't help but wonder how anyone who was born in this era didn't grow up wanting to be Muddy Waters. I love me some Stevie Ray Vaughan and I can't help but think that Muddy left a huge impression on him. This is one of the greatest albums of all time. I'm just in disbelief, I didn't know that blues could be this good - if I ever get my hands on a time machine the first stop will be going back to witness this performance.

Tomorrow's album: Michael Buble's Crazy Love.

#11: Duke Ellington - Ellington At Newport (1956)

The original 1956 LP only had 5 tracks, the album I got the chance to listen to was the 1999 remaster which is two discs containing audio from the entire concert. This album was a turning point in the Duke's career, it put him back on the map where he would stay for the rest of his life.

Take the A Train
It's a signature tune of Duke's, written by Billy Strayhorn. I remember playing this track in a four piece jazz band, it's always been one of my favorites. Duke's piano is particularly good on this track throughout the solos and fills. Also it features very, very vibrant horns with the counter melody on the head and following horn solo.

Diminuendo In Blue And Crescendo in Blue
My favorite track on the two album set. If I could play piano like that, I'd never leave the house. The rhythm section is particularly good on this recording. Such a wonderful bass line throughout the song while the drummer just keeps it moving without stepping on anyone's toes.

Jeep's Blues
I love the main theme to this song, the big boom-bastic drums and horns give a striptease like dance and then the horns rip right back in after a pause - there's no better moment on the album. Such an amazing horn sound throughout the solos. It's interesting to hear how crazy the crowd gets between tracks - I have never heard such an over abundant love for jazz.

An incredibly solid jazz album. While it clocks in at over two hours, it goes by quickly enough. There's no weak track on the entire album, it contains every dynamic and feeling - sometimes on the same track. I definitely would like to hear some smaller works of Duke Ellington's maybe with a little more focus on the piano. I need to steal some good ideas.

 This album was chosen from the book '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die' 6/1001

Tomorrow's album: KT Tunstall's Acoustic Extravaganza (2006)