Rollin’ & Tumblin’
Posted on February 18, 2007
Filed Under Music, Politics |
For me, Muddy Waters is the one essential blues artist. Of course, the idea that there could be a quintessential blues singer is absurd, but I put my finger down on McKinley Morganfield because he takes the Delta blues & its whole rural mythology & transforms it into an urban music that both affirms & transcends its cultural origins. In an era when American culture & society are addicted to authority & conformity, Muddy Waters’ music lays down the reality of Dionysian insurrection. If you doubt me, get the Chess best-of compilation of Waters’ music from 1947 to 1945. That was a long time ago, it’s true. And the music is utterly apolitical in that it is almost exclusively about sex. But of course the freedom of sex is exactly what the current political construct fears most. What propels everything that is alive & important in American culture is the Hoochie Coochie Man, the Manish Boy, the Rolling Stone & above all the sense that I Can’t be Satisfied. The bad man Stagolee, the existential hero, continues to subvert the easily co-opted John Henry, the representative of community values of aspiration & self-sacrifice. Self-sacrifice in the service of a corrupt oligarchy. Screw that, says Stackolee, skipping off down an alley & into a door that opens briefly & emits a slice of light before closing again. There is music inside. Blues music. Even when he goes to hell, Stack Lee bosses the Devil around.
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5 Responses to “Rollin’ & Tumblin’”
Buddy Guy is on tour again.
Don’t lose the opportunity to see him play.
You won’t regret it.
After reading this post, I can guarantee it.
Oh, and another thing- check out Taj Mahal’s take on StaggerLee on Jamie Oldaker’s album “Mad Dogs and Okies”
Thanks for the tips, Sam. Always appreciate it when you stop by.
My wife bought me the CD of Waters when he was Morgan McKinleyfeild and not long off the farm. That’s the real stuff. Some years later I bought Hard Again which is pretty much the other end of his life and it was just as good, drove a strong Christian from the room when I played it at work!
Thanks for reminding me of one of the good things in life.
In 2004 Kenny Wayne Shephard (sp?), his father, and a small crew, set out on a 10 day recording tour of the south where they went, played with, and recorded some of the still-living blues musicians. Last year they released a CD and DVD pair. I just acquired this last week. The DVD is quite charming. One of my favorite bits is the interview and recording of the now late Etta Baker and her playing her song the knoxville rag. The thing is called “10 Days Out” and is worthwhile.