Muddy Waters: Classic Concerts
|
List Price: Our Price: $6.55 You Save: $13.43 (67%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Muddy Waters: Classic Concerts
Movie Review: One of the best blues DVDs
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD (by Reelin' In The Years Productions) would be worth the cost even if it were just of the Newport festival. As it is, there are three separate classic concerts on the DVD (Newport in 60, Copenhagen in 68 and Norway in 77). The album (and CD) of Muddy at Newport has always been a favorite of mine, and to see it live is amazing. What can I say, it is Muddy with one his all time classic bands including Otis Spann and James Cotton. This is what they sounded like playing in the Chicago clubs. The editing, which includes cutting between the band and the audience reaction, is excellent. This concert took place in July 1960 and it represents one of the first exposures of black blues to white audiences in the US. As a musician,it is interesting to see Muddy and band using classic Gibson and Fender equipment; guitars and amps which are now considered classic vintage equipment and cost thousands of dollars. These guys played blues the way it should be played, with passion and harmony - not mindless noise and soloing. Any beginning blues musician (or rocker) should buy this DVD to see some classic examples. One highlite of show is watching Muddy do a little dance with Cotton. The second and third concerts were shot in Europe and you can see the integration of Muddy's band with Paul Oscher and Jerry Portnoy on harmonica and Bob Margolin on guitar. Margolin is still keeping the Muddy tradition alive today by his excellent work with the Muddy Waters tribute band (which includes some of Muddy's old sidemen). The European concerts occured in 68 and 77 and watching Muddy age adds poignancy to the DVD. There are bonus sections of interviews with Muddy which give a rare glimpse into the man himself and the liner notes (actually a booklet) by Bob Margolin (who is also a writer for the magazine Blues Revue) adds very interesting historical and musical insights. Any music fan must add this DVD to their collection and it is a must have for every blues fan. I would rate this DVD in the same category as my other favorites, namely Freddie King's The Beat and The American Folk Blues Festival DVD's, which were also produced by Reelin' In The Years.Movie Review: The Master at Work
Summary: 5 Stars
I have listened to and loved blues music since I was 5 years old, catching Elvis do Arthur Crudup's That's Alright, Mama on TV (I am now 60). There is just something so powerfully insinuating about the twelve-bar blues that grabbed me way back then and hasn't let go. To me, Muddy was, is, and will always be, the true King of the Blues (not to take anything away from B.B, Albert, or Freddy--I love them all too!). That rough and gritty amplified Chicago blues sound, driven by harp, slide guitar, piano, bass and drums, was pioneered by Muddy and his illustrious bandmates. This DVD is especially compelling because it shows us a fine cross-section of Muddy's band as it evolved over a period of close to twenty years. Not to say that Muddy ever strayed too far from what he did best over the course of his career. He stuck pretty close to the basic Chicago blues formula. But that Voice, that Guitar, that Sound.....he was the first, the best, the last. A true legend of the blues. Virtually everyone else who's tried to sing "Mannish Boy"...."Long Distance Call"....."Honey Bee"....."Blow Wind Blow" or "Nine Below Zero" has paled in comparison.
With this DVD, you get the images with the sound. What could be better?
Movie Review: Muddy is fabulous in these 3 performances
Summary: 5 Stars
I was amazed at show at the Newport Jazz Festival on this dvd. Muddy is very lively and the audience is very into the show. He really has the crowd going on "Got my mojo working". The songs and Muddy's way of playing has the folks greatly appreciative. The third concert has a fabulous harmonica player named Jerry Cortney. He does some really great playing and out does many other of his mouth harp competitors such as James Cotton who was also excellent in the first set. There are some very nice solo piano playing by two great piano players, Otis Span and Pine Top Perkins. Muddy plays live in 1960, in 1968, and in 1977. Each one is worth the price of the dvd. I give this dvd a 4 star to 5 star recommendation. This is one of Muddy's best live performance on dvd. I only wish there was some Johnny Winter appearances on here to make it a perfect 5 star plus dvd.
Herb Salsibury
[...]
Movie Review: Muddy the Great
Summary: 5 Stars
Five stars aren't enough for this DVD. I have several other blues-themed DVDs - all three in the American Folk Blues Festival series, Memphis Slim and Sonny Boy, Howlin' Wolf Story, The Chicago Blues, Clapton's Crossroads Festival, Stevie Ray at Montreaux, et al - and I have never seen anything quite like this. Muddy is, simply, drop-dead stunning. The Newport concert brings tears to my eyes, and the sound is off the charts. Then the Copenhagen show, followed by the gig in Norway. Excellent quality, sound and visuals. This is as good as it gets. The inner strength and (dare I say) nobility of Muddy Waters has never been plainer.
Movie Review: Rare Diamond
Summary: 5 Stars
Rare footage from the 1960 Newport RI jazz fest synced with a stereo soundtrack makes this the Muddy DVD to have. The sound is good to great, and the performances are astounding. Seeing him play with Otis Spann and James Cotton is a rare treat. Cotton says he was fired after the Newport gig for messing up the "Tiger in your Tank' number. Luckily Muddy rethank his ire and had James back in the band withing a few months. The European concerts are good, and give a feeling for how Muddy's performances matured over the years. It is a hoot to see the German and Norwegian crowd just sit and listen to such toe-tapping music. Buy it.