Fathers and Sons (album)


Fathers and Sons is the seventh studio album by American blues musician Muddy Waters, originally released as a double LP by Chess Records in August 1969.
The album features both studio and live recordings recorded in April 1969 with an all-star band including Michael Bloomfield and Paul Butterfield of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Donald "Duck" Dunn of Booker T. & the M.G.'s, Otis Spann, and Sam Lay in Chicago, Illinois.
The album was Muddy's biggest mainstream success, reaching #70 on the Billboard 200, which was his only appearance in the top half of the chart. Muddy would not make another appearance on the 200 until Hard Again in 1977.

Background

According to Marshall Chess, the idea behind Fathers and Sons came when Mike Bloomfield was at his house and said that he and Paul Butterfield wanted to do an album with Muddy Waters because they would be in Chicago for a charity concert. Chess then rounded up Donald "Duck" Dunn, Otis Spann, and Sam Lay for the studio sessions.
While many blues purists criticized Muddy Waters "psychedelic" album Electric Mud, Fathers and Sons was received more favorably since it avoided psychedelia, instead showcasing his "classic" sound of the 1950s. In many ways, the album anticipated his later, critically acclaimed, albums produced by Johnny Winter.

Recording and production

The studio disc of the album was recorded in April 21–23, 1969 at Ter Mar Studios. These sides were engineered by Ron Malo and featured rhythm guitarist Paul Asbell, who did not play on the live songs.
The live songs were recorded on April 24, 1969 at the Super Cosmic Joy-Scout Jamboree. These sides were engineered by Reice Hamel. Drummer Buddy Miles played on the second part of "Got My Mojo Working".
The producer on all sessions was Norman Dayron, who would go on to produce The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions in 1970, among other items.

Artwork and design

The cover illustration for Fathers and Sons was created by Don Wilson and was based on Michelangelo's design on the Sistine Chapel. The original album's design was by Daily Planet and was packaged in a foldout sleeve. The 2001 MCA Records expanded reissue featured a reissued design by Mike Fink.

Track listing

All songs written by McKinley Morganfield, except where indicated.

Vinyl version

;Side A
  1. "All Aboard" – 2:50
  2. "Mean Disposition" – 5:42
  3. "Blow Wind Blow" – 3:35
  4. "Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had" – 3:03
  5. "Walkin' Thru The Park" – 3:07
;Side B
  1. "Forty Days and Forty Nights" – 3:04
  2. "Standin' Round Crying" – 4:01
  3. "I'm Ready" – 3:33
  4. "Twenty Four Hours" – 4:46
  5. "Sugar Sweet" – 2:16
;Side C Live
  1. "Long Distance Call" – 6:35
  2. "Baby, Please Don't Go" – 3:05
  3. "Honey Bee" – 3:57
;Side D Live
  1. "The Same Thing" – 6:00
  2. "Got My Mojo Working, Part 1" – 3:39
  3. "Got My Mojo Working, Part 2" – 5:33

    CD version

  4. "All Aboard" – 2:52
  5. "Mean Disposition" – 5:42
  6. "Blow Wind Blow" – 3:38
  7. "Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had" – 3:06
  8. "Walkin' Thru The Park" – 3:21
  9. "Forty Days And Forty Nights" – 3:08
  10. "Standin' Round Cryin'" – 4:05
  11. "I'm Ready" – 3:39
  12. "Twenty Four Hours" – 4:48
  13. "Sugar Sweet" – 2:18
  14. "Country Boy" – 3:20
  15. "I Love the Life I Live " – 2:45
  16. "Oh Yeah" – 3:38
  17. "I Feel So Good" – 3:00
  18. "Long Distance Call" – 6:37
  19. "Baby, Please Don't Go" – 3:03
  20. "Honey Bee" – 3:56
  21. "The Same Thing" – 5:59
  22. "Got My Mojo Working, Part 1" – 3:22
  23. "Got My Mojo Working, Part 2" – 2:54

    Personnel