"Folk Singer" is the fourth studio album by
Muddy Waters, released in April 1964 by Chess Records. The album features
Waters on acoustic guitar, backed by Willie Dixon on string bass, Clifton James
on drums, and Buddy Guy on acoustic guitar. It is Waters's only all-acoustic
album. Numerous reissues of “Folk Singer” include bonus tracks from two
subsequent sessions, in April 1964 and October 1964.
Despite not charting in any country, “Folk Singer” received critical acclaim; most reviewers praised its high-quality sound, especially on remastered versions, as well as the instrumentation. In 2003, the album was ranked number 280 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
“Folk Singer” is an "unplugged" recording and differs from his earlier albums, which featured an electric blues sound. The title of the album was chosen by Chess Records because it was recorded during the time when folk music was popular. In order to appeal to fans of folk music, Chess recorded a more acoustic album with two acoustic guitarists. Buddy Guy was hired as the second guitarist. Other guitarists played on bonus tracks. Guy played on all original songs, except the last song, "Feel Like Going Home", together with Waters.
The recording took place at the Tel Mar Recording Studios, in Chicago, in September 1963, and was produced by Willie Dixon. The original vinyl release includes nine songs, most of which are performed at a slower tempo, with the exception of the uptempo "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl". During recording, Waters emphasized his singing with hums and sighs.
Despite not charting in any country, “Folk Singer” received critical acclaim; most reviewers praised its high-quality sound, especially on remastered versions, as well as the instrumentation. In 2003, the album was ranked number 280 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
“Folk Singer” is an "unplugged" recording and differs from his earlier albums, which featured an electric blues sound. The title of the album was chosen by Chess Records because it was recorded during the time when folk music was popular. In order to appeal to fans of folk music, Chess recorded a more acoustic album with two acoustic guitarists. Buddy Guy was hired as the second guitarist. Other guitarists played on bonus tracks. Guy played on all original songs, except the last song, "Feel Like Going Home", together with Waters.
The recording took place at the Tel Mar Recording Studios, in Chicago, in September 1963, and was produced by Willie Dixon. The original vinyl release includes nine songs, most of which are performed at a slower tempo, with the exception of the uptempo "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl". During recording, Waters emphasized his singing with hums and sighs.
“Folk Singer” este al patrulea album de studio al lui
Muddy Waters, lansat in aprilie 1964 de catre Chess Records. Albumul il
prezinta pe Waters la chitara acustica, acompaniat de Willie Dixon la contrabas,
Clifton James la tobe si Buddy Guy la chitara acustica. Este singurul album
acustic al lui Waters. Numeroasele relansari ale “Folk Singer” includ piese
bonus din sesiunile ulterioare din aprilie si octombrie 1964.
In ciuda neintrarii in clasamente in nici o tara, “Folk Singer” a primit laudele criticii; cele mai multe recenzii au apreciat inalta calitate a sunetului, in special pe versiunile imbunatatite, la fel si instrumentatia. In 2003 albumul a fost clasat pe locul 280 in lista de la revista Rolling Stone a celor 500 cele mai bune albume din toate timpurile. “Folk Singer” este o inregistrare acustica si difera de inregistrarile lui anterioare care aveau un sunet de blues electric. Titlul albumului a fost ales de catre Chess Records deoarece a fost inregistrat in vremea in care muzica folk era populara. Pentru a se adresa si fanilor de muzica folk, Chess a inregistrat un album mai acustic, avand doi chitaristi acustici. Buddy Guy a fost angajat ca al doilea chitarist. Alti chitaristi au cantat pe piesele bonus. Guy a cantat in toate piesele originale impreuna cu Waters, cu exceptia ultimului cantec “Feel Like Going Home”.
Inregistrarea a avut loc la Tel Mar Recording Studios, in Chicago, in septembrie 1963 si a fost produs de catre Willie Dixon. Lansarea originala de vinil include noua cantece, cele mai multe dintre ele interpretate intr-un tempo lent, cu exceptia “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” executat intr-un tempo rapid. In timpul inregistrarii Waters si-a “condimentat’ cantatul cu mormaieli, gemete si suspine.
In ciuda neintrarii in clasamente in nici o tara, “Folk Singer” a primit laudele criticii; cele mai multe recenzii au apreciat inalta calitate a sunetului, in special pe versiunile imbunatatite, la fel si instrumentatia. In 2003 albumul a fost clasat pe locul 280 in lista de la revista Rolling Stone a celor 500 cele mai bune albume din toate timpurile. “Folk Singer” este o inregistrare acustica si difera de inregistrarile lui anterioare care aveau un sunet de blues electric. Titlul albumului a fost ales de catre Chess Records deoarece a fost inregistrat in vremea in care muzica folk era populara. Pentru a se adresa si fanilor de muzica folk, Chess a inregistrat un album mai acustic, avand doi chitaristi acustici. Buddy Guy a fost angajat ca al doilea chitarist. Alti chitaristi au cantat pe piesele bonus. Guy a cantat in toate piesele originale impreuna cu Waters, cu exceptia ultimului cantec “Feel Like Going Home”.
Inregistrarea a avut loc la Tel Mar Recording Studios, in Chicago, in septembrie 1963 si a fost produs de catre Willie Dixon. Lansarea originala de vinil include noua cantece, cele mai multe dintre ele interpretate intr-un tempo lent, cu exceptia “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” executat intr-un tempo rapid. In timpul inregistrarii Waters si-a “condimentat’ cantatul cu mormaieli, gemete si suspine.
List of tracks
1."My Home Is in the Delta" (Waters) – 3:58
2."Long Distance" (Waters) – 3:30
3."My Captain" (Willie Dixon) – 5:10
4."Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" (Sonny Boy
Williamson) – 3:12
5."You Gonna Need My Help" (Waters) – 3:09
6."Cold Weather Blues" (Waters) – 4:40
7."Big Leg Woman" (John Temple) – 3:25
8."Country Boy" (Waters) – 3:26
9."Feel Like Going Home" (Waters) – 3:52
Personnel
Musicians
Muddy Waters – guitar, vocals
Buddy Guy – guitar
Willie Dixon – bass
Clifton James – drums
Sammy Lawhorn – guitar
James Madison – guitar
Otis Spann – harmonica, piano
Francis Clay – drums
S.P. Leary – drums
Milton Rector – bass
J.T. Brown – clarinet, tenor saxophone
Production
Willie Dixon – producer
Ralph Bass – producer
Ron Malo – engineer
Vartan – art direction, reissue art director
Bob Schnieders – coordinator, liner notes
Mary Katherine Aldin – liner notes
Don Bronstein – cover design, photography
Jim Marshall – photography
Beth Stempel – reissue producer, reissue production
coordination (remastered version)
Andy McKaie – reissue producer (remastered version)
Erick Labson – digital remastering, mastering, mixing
(remastered version)
Johnny Lee – reissue design (remastered version)
Meire Murakami – reissue design (remastered version)
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