A Tribute to Muddy Waters--King of the Blues

Recorded in October, 1997, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., this tribute concert in memory of the legendary bluesman Muddy Waters is hosted by actor Billy Dee Williams and features a number of well known blues musicians performing songs either written by or made famous by Waters. The lineup includes Buddy Guy performing "She's 19 Years Old" with typical Buddy Guy flair, Phoebe Snow belting out "Just To Be With You," Keb' Mo' going solo on an outstanding version of "I Can't Be Satisfied," the great Robert Junior Lockwood's version of "Mean Red Spider" and Muddy's son, Big Bill Morganfield, knocking back a true blue cover of "Hoochie Coochie Man." Other featured performers include Charlie Musselwhite, Koko Taylor, John Hiatt, Peter Wolf, Nick Gravenites and Mem Shannon. The program also includes a fair amount of biographical information about Muddy, with Williams pointing out highlights with the aid of photos and some archival footage, and various musicians, such as Keith Richards and Bob Margolin, and two of Muddy's daughters, adding recollections. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Van Vleck)