Big Bill Morganfield
Rising Son
(Blind Pig BPCD 5053)
If roots music is your thing, then Rising
Son is one CD you don't want to pass on. This is the debut CD from Big Bill Morganfield,
who is following in his father's footsteps as a guitarist, songwriter and performer. Being
the son of McKinley Morganfield, a.k.a Muddy Waters, could be a very heavy weight to
carry, but Big Bill Morganfield seems to handle it well.
Surrounding himself with players
from his father's band, Morganfield has recorded a collection of songs that are not
founded on flash playing. Rather, substance of style and feeling are the mainstays here.
Singing in a low chesty voice, Rising Son kicks off with "Diamonds At Your
Feet." This song has a great opening line "she gonna take sick and die one of
these days." With excellent harmonica by Paul Oscher, this tune is purposely dark and
taps hidden corners of the blues that are mostly left alone these days. Big Bill debuts
his slide guitar style on "Left Hand Blues," one of his own compositions. Delta
blues done on two electric guitars and one deep voice. Slowing down on Willie Dixon's
"The Same Thing" Big Bill and band evoke images of smokey bars passed, while
lettin' it hang way low and slow. Two of Big Bill Morganfield's tunes follow, "Dead
Ass Broke" and "Cryin' Days." Both upbeat and contemporary, they show
Morganfield's penchant for writing blues. We all know there's nothing like dreaming that
you're rich, and waking up "Dead Ass Broke." "Baby How Long" is a real
houserockin' shuffle that all of the soloists take a turn or two on. This is very inspired
music and highlights the whole band. And speaking of the band, it would be hard to make
anything but good music with Big Bill's lineup. All former players with Muddy Waters;
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums, Pinetop Perkins on piano, Paul Oscher on
harmonica, and Bob Margolin playing guitar give this CD lots of blues depth. Robert
Stroger (Sunnyland Slim) does an excellent job on bass throughout. But clearly, Big Bill
Morganfield is the one in control here.
Rising Son is an interesting CD on several levels.
First, it a solid debut by the son of a blues legend. I would think that could be pretty
scary in itself because of the comparisons to be drawn. Second, the band is part of that
legend so there are high expectations of the music. Third, because Big Bill Morganfield is
building on the legacy himself by writing good blues music and singing in a big
distinctive style. In one instance on "Champagne & Reefer" Big Bill even
adds lyrics to one of his father's songs. As I said earlier, this is roots music, rooted
deep in the blues. There are sounds of the past here as well as glimpses into the future.
Following in someone's footsteps is one of the hardest things to do and Big Bill
Morganfield is off to a good start with Rising Son.
- Pete Barbeck -
Southwest Blues CD Review - June 1999
Current Reviews - 1999 Reviews
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