BIG BILL MORGANFIELD

Blues With A Mood

Black Shuck Records

By Dawn O’Keefe Williams

Big Bill Morganfield’s new CD, Blues With A Mood from Black Shuck Records, makes true the phrase “ain’t nothin’ but the blues”. This is the real deal, with a variety of traditional blues styles that includes shuffles, swing, and a deeply moving, sultry Delta blues.  This CD has the quality, tone and energy of what it’s like to hear a blues band hit the stage with their raw power and grit.  Blues With a Mood grabs you from the very first song, “Look What You Done”, an original from Big Bill’s daddy, the illustrious Muddy Waters.  Bill and his band play this song skillfully with a subtle power that is upbeat with a honky tonk feel that immediately draws you in, as if you were sitting at a club here in Chicago. 

Throughout his career, Bill has proven that he is not only an outstanding performer, musician and singer, but a fine songwriter as well.  He penned seven songs on this CD, all of which showcase his versatility and ability for creating great songs without losing the purpose of the blues – namely the music.  From shuffles such as “Money’s Gettin’ Cheaper” to a good bump and grind on “No Butter for My Grits,” a rhumba for “Tight Things” and a Delta styled “Son of The Blues” -- all show him to be prolific, eclectic tunesmith.

Big Bill’s raw vocal power is similar to his father’s, the late Muddy Waters; yet Bill demonstrates some tenderness and finesse in the second cut, Memphis Slim’s “Havin’ Fun,” where it seems like he has dressed in a top hat and a tux as he is painting the town with his lady.  This piece features the piano of Augie Meyers giving the entire song a distinctive historic feel.

Bill’s vocal ability shines in Willie Dixon’s “Ooh Wee” as he hits a higher range with more power than the previous three songs. His voice invokes the image of his desire.  This is another great bump and grind song.  “No Butter for My Grits” shows his soulfulness with a haunting guitar line introducing the tune. He starts his vocal with a moan and then talk-sings through most of this entertaining story about the search for a real stick of butter.  It’s a bit lengthy, but the groove, the mood, and Big Bill’s charisma holds you and leaves you satisfied.

Throughout the CD, Big Bill purrs, growls, moans and roars as he goes through his various “moods” of the blues. He brings you the joy of stylishly dressed women on the rhumba “Tight Things”. He switches moods to get down about the “Devil At My Door”. Richard “Doc” Malone’s harp solo on this cut seems to mimic the feeling of being tried with temptation.  Later, Bill becomes lighthearted and fun with “I Feel Alright Again” and then upbeat as he jazz/swings the audience on “Another Lonely Night”.

            The best vocal expression on this CD is on “Son of the Blues”.  Big Bill’s voice is deep, rich and sultry at first. Then he strikes like a snake as he belts out: “Sing! The Blues!”  All in one song, Bill displays his vocal prowess from soft sultry tones to gut wrenching growls. With tasteful fills, the guitar moans, capturing the deep blues feel of this seemingly autobiographical song.  The instruments in the background create a backdrop for the pain and the searching Big Bill is expressing.  It comes from the heart, the soul, and his gut as he hums the intro, along with the guitar accompanying him in his blues.  

Kudos to Colin Linden, the producer, and Big Bill, executive producer for an excellent recording and mix.  This CD, recorded in Nashville, was put together extremely well.  The sound quality is awesome; you can hear all of the instruments and their nuances.   The arrangements of the instruments in each song and how they are mixed during the recording is incredible.  There’s a lot of ear candy here, but nothing is overbearing.  The subtleties create a wonderful weave of sound that provides the background and mood to this music. 

What’s interesting is that most of the songs are reminiscent of the old school blues with a pre-WWII style that stems from the ‘30s.  Throughout the CD, the sound of the band has an old time quality to it.  From the distorted harp to the horns and the resonating guitar, each one adds a distinctive personality to this CD. This is the blues, unpolished and raw; yet it has the finesse that only well-seasoned musicians can bring to a performance. Bob Margolin (guitar), Steve Guyger (harp) Clark Stern (piano) and Brian Bisesi (guitar) are guests on tracks one and four (“Look What You Done” and “Ooh Wee”), adding to the flavor and making it more interesting than it already is.  However, with five different guitarists lending their talents to the songs -- Big Bill, Eddie Taylor, Jr. (the son of another Chicago legend), Bob Margolin, Colin Linden and Brian Bisesi -- it would have been a good idea to give the audience some specifics as to who was playing what on which song (lead, rhythm,  slide, etc.) on the liner notes. 

Big Bill Morganfield’s CD, Blues With A Mood is impressive indeed; his goal to bring various shades and “moods” to the blues has been very successful.  There’s variety, good songwriting, fine arrangements and great musicians.  He has stayed consistent throughout the CD with the old time feel and yet it is up-to-date in the quality.  He also has managed to stay within traditional blues lines while defining a specific sound of his own.   I can’t get enough of this CD and I’m sure blues fans will agree with me.  Now, if you will excuse me, it’s time to find Bill some butter for his grits!

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