Mud Morganfield & Kim Wilson Join Forces on For Pops (A Tribute to
Muddy Waters), Coming August 19 on Severn Records
The Duo Salutes
the 100th Anniversary of Mud’s Legendary Father’s Birth with 14 Songs
Backed by an All-Star Band Channeling the Classic Chicago Blues
Sound
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Severn Records announces an August 19 release
date of For Pops (A Tribute to Muddy Waters), a very special CD
from Mud Morganfield, son of the legendary bluesman, and Kim Wilson,
singer/harmonica player of the iconic roots group, The Fabulous Thunderbirds,
saluting the classic blues music of Mud’s father in the 100th
anniversary year of his birth.
The genesis for this recording project was simple, according
to Severn president David Earl. “I couldn’t ignore all the requests,” he said.
“After we released Mud Morganfield’s Son of the 7th Son
album and The Fabulous Thunderbirds’ On the Verge disc, the phone
was ringing off the hook and the inbox was flooded with emails. The topic was
always the same: ‘You have to get Mud and Kim to do an album together!’ So,
after all the prodding, I picked up the phone and asked both Mud and Kim if they
would like to do an album together. They resoundingly said,
‘yes!’”
In addition to Mud Morganfield’s vocals, which bear an
uncanny resemblance to his late father’s sound, and Kim Wilson’s award-winning
harmonica work, the duo are backed by an all-star team of players schooled in
the Chicago-style of blues playing: Billy Flynn and Rusty Zinn (guitars),
Barrelhouse Chuck (piano), Steve Gomes (bass) and Robb Stupka (drums). The album
was produced by David Earl and Steve Gomes and recorded at Severn Sound Studios
in Annapolis, Maryland.
In keeping with the organic nature of classic blues music
recordings, the For Pops album tracking took on the feel of a late
night jam session. “We began with an old-fashioned ‘house party’ in our studio,”
recalled David Earl. “Attendees included friends and family from all over the
mid-Atlantic region, who were treated to a wonderful performance by Mud and Kim,
along with some barbeque and spirits. The next day, the overall thought was to
record the album ‘live’ in the studio and capture the feel we had at the party.
All the instruments were recorded together in the same room in order to truly
capture the interplay between the musicians. Mud was isolated so we could put
the best possible sound to tape. We spent four days recording and actually mixed
it at the end of the week with all the musicians present. It was a whirlwind,
but at the end of the day, everyone agreed that ‘Pops” would be
proud.”
Facing the daunting task of which Muddy Waters songs from his
vast catalogue to include on For Pops, the mutual decision was
made to record some of Muddy’s better-known tunes, but also some lesser-known
ones that would demonstrate the vibrant scope of how encompassing was the
legend’s blues repertoire. The rest of the players chosen for the sessions were
all hand-picked by Mud, Kim and David Earl based not only on their musical
chops, but their feel for playing this music within the classic Chicago blues
ensemble format.
“I would like to thank everyone who has put so much into the
making of this album,” said Mud Morganfield during the sessions. “It’s coming up
on my Dad’s 100th birthday and that makes me even more proud to be a
part of this great release. I thank all blues lovers and fans around the world;
the music we make today always comes to you and history.”
For Pops (A Tribute to Muddy Waters) Track
Listing
1. Gone to Main Street
2. Just to Be With You
3. I Don't Know Why
4. I Want You to Love Me
5. Still a Fool
6. My Dog Can't Bark
7. She's Got It
8. I Love the Life I Live, I Live the Life I Love
9. Blow Wind Blow
10. Nineteen Years Old
11. I Want to Be Loved
12. Trouble No More
13. I Just Want to Make Love to You
14. She Moves Me
