It is not uncommon for children to follow a famous parent into the blues field. Bernard Allison and Shemekia Copeland have both been able to step out of the shadow of Luther Allison and Johnny Copeland respectively and forge an identity for themselves. However, it is Big Bill Morganfield who has the largest shoes to fill, those of the great Muddy Waters. Unlike Allison and Copeland, who were both schooled in the blues at an early age by their fathers, Morganfield did not take an interest in learning to play professionally until after his fathers' death in 1983. Ramblin' Mind is Morganfield's sophomore effort on the Blind Pig label and showcases Mr. Morganfield's burgeoning talent.

On Big Bill's debut he was backed by a band consisting of members of his father's band, however, on this release he has assembled a new band which includes Billy Flynn on guitar, Bill Lupkin on harp, Mr. B on piano, Kenny Smith on drums and Nick Moss on bass. The new band emphasizes the fact that Morganfield is making music on his own terms rather than simply imitating his father. Nowhere is this more evident than on the opening cut "Mellow Chick Swing", a Sonny Boy I composition featuring a swinging rhythmic feel more reminiscent of the great Kansas City swing bands than the hard edged Chicago blues band his father fronted. "Foolish Love" a Big Bill original also has a swinging feel while "Highway 69" is a brooding slow blues number featuring some wailing harp from Lupkin. Taj Mahal guests on vocals and guitar on the country blues tune "Strong Man Holler" which features Big Bill on slide guitar.

Traces of his father are evident throughout the record on tunes such as "Roll With Me". Throughout this tune my mind kept going back to Muddy Waters singing "Close To Me" and comparing the vocal similarities between father and son. "People Sure Act Funny" has a rhythmic feel reminiscent of "Got My Mojo Working." Paul Osher's "Dirty Dealing Mama" features Muddy's old band and is probably a leftover from the first album.

At this point in his career, it would be unfair to Big Bill Morganfield to hold him to the high standard that his father set during his career. However, with his talent and a little seasoning applying that standard to Big Bill's music may not be that far down the road. A performer to keep an eye on and a solid recording.
- Barry Gober

May 2001 Southwest Blues