I Just Want To Make Love To You - Muddy Waters
Song of the Day #23
Apple Music link: https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-just-want-to-make-love-to-you/1445668056?i=1445668058
Can we just appreciate the sonic perfection of that spell-binding riff? The way Otis Spann's fluid piano licks flow into Little Walter's mighty harmonica blows that causes Willie Dixon's thick basslines to sway is just mind-bogglingly perfect. This is musicianship of the highest order: Muddy's band not only performs like a singular well-oiled unit but also paints a powerful image for the song. It's the perfect mix of gruffness and creepiness, just as skin-crawling as Howlin' Wolf playing the "Back Door Man." Every time I hear this song, I have to relisten to the intro at least 5-6 times, and even then it's not enough for me. Yes, it's a minimalistic song that rides the riff the whole way through, but nothing could top its musical perfection anyways. What else does the song really need? Though, Little Walter's harmonica solos were an additional touch of genius, just hearing the way he eerily builds suspense amplifies the aggressive power of each blast of his.
Yet, Muddy is still the leader here even if he is just on vocals. He does not sing as much here as he delivers a series of fiery but controlled roars, crushing you and demanding your respect simultaneously. The clincher is the end of that chorus: belting louder and louder and then suddenly singing dangerously quiet, trying to weaken his lover's defenses with a final seductive remark. I'm at a loss for words for this greatness. Muddy's charisma is just so gripping that nobody can compete with him. Etta James did a tough, worthy cover of the song, and the Rolling Stones made it into a breakneck piece of rock 'n' roll, but none of them could ever hope to beat the master at his own game. One listen to this is enough to understand why Muddy and no one else was the true king of Chicago blues.
No comments:
Post a Comment