Big Bill Morganfield Albums (5)
What The Critics Say
Big Bill Morganfield continues to forge his own sound with a delicate balancing act on this, his forth album. He pays tribute to his dad and the Chicago sound he helped create on the title track, but he has a jazzy side that keeps moving the blues in a more sophisticated direction as well. Al Duncan's "Too Late Brother" opens things with a juke-joint rocker in the style of Morganfield's dad, with Steve Guyger's harp tossing some fat on the fire. "High Gas Prices," a Morganfield original, gives the country blues an urban edge with a tune too many sang in the waning months of 2009. Morganfield sings Pearl Woods' "I Play Dirty" with a winning combination of humor and aggression, with Clark Stern's organ giving the tune a sanctified feel. "Who's the Fool," another original, is a shuffle on the familiar subject of a faithless woman, and Morganfield growls out the lyric with plenty of panache. What really distinguishes Morganfield from his dad is his way with love songs. Muddy always sounded dangerous, even when he was proclaiming his passion. Big Bill's voice is smoother and more mellow, and when he sings a soulful tune like Buddy Guy's neo-R&B ballad "My Love Is Real," his voice has a seductive power his dad lacked. On Howlin' Wolf's "My Last Affair" he turns up the wattage and bares his tortured soul with a hopeless vulnerability that's enhanced by some stinging guitar work. Former Waters guitarist Bob Margolin, the man behind Morganfield's first two sets, produced the album and kept things grounded in the traditional Chicago sound. Guyger's harp is splendid throughout, but with three guitarists playing in the session -- Morganfield, Margolin, and Brian Bisesi -- some detailed liner notes would have been helpful to determine who's playing on the various tracks. ~ j. poet, All Music Guide
'Blues in the Blood'
Release Date 9/16/2003
Tracks 12
Label Blind Pig
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
On his third album, Big Bill Morganfield -- yeah, mm-hmmm, he is Muddy's boy -- turns in a stylish set of originals and one cover of his daddy's ("Evil") that should have been left off and should have never been recorded after Howlin' Wolf's version. But that's just a personal preference. Big Bill knows how to do the Chicago blues rave up. He keeps the tempered delivery of a song until it smolders with quiet intensity before exploding in the bridge. It may be formula, but he does it so well it doesn't feel that way. Morganfield also knows how to actually "write" a Chicago blues song. He understands that topics are not the only concerns of a modern blues tome; his sense of dynamics and his use of the instruments in complete balance with one another until an assigned moment make him different than his peers. Check out "Hoochie Coochie Girl" and contrast it with the very next track, "Left Alone"; on the former, a choogling modern blues riff underscores a humorous tale with a screaming guitar solo that keeps things just off-kilter enough to sound fresh. On the latter track, a funky, dirty slide riff that comes straight from the Delta sound underscores a hiccupping, slurred vocal that moves from a broken falsetto to bass in a seductive vocal slide that is infectious, memorable, and steamy. Likewise, on "Trapped," the jazzy side of Chicago blues as exemplified by Otis Rush and Little Walter is on display with a killer lyric and barely contained growl to extend the piano's emotional reach. Ultimately, Morganfield is reaching deep into the blues bag for inspiration and offering it to the listener like a bouquet. It's all here, full of pathos, pain, laughter, and bittersweet soul. Morganfield is three for three and is shaping up to become the master bluesman of his generation. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Due to some sly humor, a few jazz-oriented numbers (including "Mellow Chick Swing"), and the consistently strong material, this blues set is also recommended to fans of straight-ahead jazz. Ranging from a couple swinging pieces and some lowdown Muddy Waters-type blues to two strong appearances by Taj Mahal, this is a release that never lets up. Mr. B's piano solos are a major joy, the harmonica playing (by Bill Lupkin, Billy Branch, and Paul Oscher) is excellent, Morganfield's expressive vocals always hit their mark, and the music is quite enjoyable. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
He's got some of the biggest shoes to fill in the history of blues, but Muddy Waters' son, Big Bill Morganfield leads three of his father's former compatriots through a stirring set of blues standards and new tracks. Morganfield's slide guitar is an excellent addition to the proceedings. ~ Earl Simmons, All Music Guide
