Mud Morganfield – They Call Me Mud

This reissue They Call Me Mud was first released in 2018 on Severn Records.

Produced by Mud Morganfield and Rick Kreher (who also plays guitar on the CD), They Call Me Mud was recorded at Joyride Studios in in Mud’s Chicago hometown. Mud penned 10 of the album’s 12 songs, with two others coming from his illustrious father’s catalog, “Howling Wolf” and “Can’t Get No Grinding.”

A stellar cast of Chicago area musicians adds some authentic, downhome blues touches to the recording, including Billy Flynn on guitar, Studebaker John on harmonica and backing vocals, Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi on piano, E.G. McDaniel on bass and Melvin “Pookie Stix” Carlisle on drums. Special guests include Billy Branch on harmonica, Mike Wheeler on guitar and Mud’s daughter Lashunda Williams, who joins her dad on a loving duet, “Who Loves You,” where Mud gets to stretch out on some of his R&B grooves. There’s also a horn section featured on several tunes, and Mud, himself, plays bass on three tracks.

“I think it’s the some of the best work I’ve ever done yet,” Mud Morganfield proclaims about the new disc. “I feel that with the variety of material I have on here, people will get a chance to hear the other sides of my music: everything from soul and R&B to jazz and, of course, blues. I got to play bass on three songs, too, and I’m so proud to a have my youngest daughter, Lashunda, sing with me on this album. She’s a natural, too, and regularly sings gospel at home.”

Track Listing:
1. They Call Me Mud - 4:02   2. 48 Days - 4:30   3. Cheatin' Is Cheatin' - 5:22   4. Who's Fooling Who - 5:32   5. Howling Wolf - 5:20   6. 24 Hours - 4:02   7. Who Loves You - 5:51   8. Oh Yeah - 4:31   9. Can't Get No Grindin' - 3:36   10. Rough Around the Edge - 5:56   11. Walkin Cane  - 4:26   12. Mud's Groove - 3:32

Personnel:
Mud Morganfield (vocals, bass on 2,11,12) , Lashunda Williams (vocals on 7) , Rick Kreher (guitar,backing vocals on 9) , Billy Flynn (guitar, backing vocals on 9) , Mike Wheeler (guitar on 4,6) , E.G. McDaniel (bass, backing vocals on 9) , Studebaker John (harmonica, backing vocals on 9) , Bill Branch (harmonica on 12) , Phil Perkins (trumpet) , Michael Jackson (sax) , Anne Harris (violin) ,  Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi (piano, backing vocals on 9) , Melvin "Pookie Stix" Carlisle (drums, backing vocals on 9) , Bryant "T" Parker (percussion on 4,12)