Fathers and Sons (album)

Background

According to Marshall Chess, the idea behind Fathers and Sons came when Mike Bloomfield was at his house and said that he and Paul Butterfield wanted to do an album with Muddy Waters because they would be in Chicago for a charity concert. Chess then rounded up Donald "Duck" Dunn, Otis Spann, and Sam Lay for the studio sessions.

While many blues purists criticized the Waters "psychedelic" album Electric Mud at the time, Fathers and Sons was received more favorably since it avoided psychedelia, instead showcasing the "classic" Waters sound of the 50's. In many ways, the album anticipated the later, critically acclaimed Waters blues albums produced by Johnny Winter.

Recording and production

The studio disc of the album was recorded in April 21–23, 1969 at Ter Mar Studios. These sides were engineered by Ron Malo and featured rhythm guitarist Paul Asbell, who did not play on the live songs.

The live songs were recorded on April 24, 1969 at the Super Cosmic Joy-Scout Jamboree. These sides were engineered by Reice Hamel. Drummer Buddy Miles played on the second part of "Got My Mojo Working".

The producer on all sessions was Norman Dayron, who would go on to produce The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions in 1970, among other items.

Artwork and design

The cover illustration for Fathers and Sons was created by Don Wilson and was based on Michelangelo's design on the Sistine Chapel. The original album's design was by Daily Planet and was packaged in a foldout sleeve. The 2001 MCA Records expanded reissue featured a reissued design by Mike Fink.

Track listing

All songs written by McKinley Morganfield, except where indicated.

Vinyl version

1. "All Aboard" – 2:50
2. "Mean Disposition" – 5:42
3. "Blow Wind Blow" – 3:35
4. "Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had" – 3:03
5. "Walkin' Thru The Park" – 3:07

1. "Forty Days and Forty Nights" (Bernard Roth) – 3:04
2. "Standin' Round Crying" – 4:01
3. "I'm Ready" (Willie Dixon) – 3:33
4. "Twenty Four Hours" (Eddie Boyd) – 4:46
5. "Sugar Sweet" (Mel London) – 2:16

1. "Long Distance Call" – 6:35
2. "Baby, Please Don't Go" (Big Joe Williams) – 3:05
3. "Honey Bee" – 3:57

1. "The Same Thing" (Dixon) – 6:00
2. "Got My Mojo Working, Part 1" (Preston Foster, Morganfield) – 3:39
3. "Got My Mojo Working, Part 2" (Foster, Morganfield) – 5:33

CD version

1. "All Aboard" – 2:52
2. "Mean Disposition" – 5:42
3. "Blow Wind Blow" – 3:38
4. "Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had" – 3:06
5. "Walkin' Thru The Park" – 3:21
6. "Forty Days And Forty Nights" (Roth) – 3:08
7. "Standin' Round Cryin'" – 4:05
8. "I'm Ready" (Dixon) – 3:39
9. "Twenty Four Hours" (Boyd) – 4:48
10. "Sugar Sweet" – 2:18
11. "Country Boy" – 3:20
12. "I Love the Life I Live (I Live the Life I Love)" (Dixon) – 2:45
13. "Oh Yeah" (Dixon) – 3:38
14. "I Feel So Good" (Big Bill Broonzy) – 3:00
15. "Long Distance Call" – 6:37
16. "Baby, Please Don't Go" (Williams) – 3:03
17. "Honey Bee" – 3:56
18. "The Same Thing" (Dixon) – 5:59
19. "Got My Mojo Working, Part 1" (Foster, Morganfield) – 3:22
20. "Got My Mojo Working, Part 2" (Foster, Morganfield) – 2:54

Personnel