Larry “Mud” Morganfield was born in Chicago in 1954 to Mildred McGhee and one of the greatest blues artists of all-time, Muddy Waters. He was largely raised by his recently deceased mother, who he called his “best friend.” He’d get visits and musical instruments from his father, but not enough time.
Mud’s life was not easy on the mean streets of the west side of the Windy City. He drove large trucks to make a living. He needed time, he was “getting my blues”. In his 20s, he played in drums and bass in garage bands, but when he sang it came out sounding like Muddy Waters and he shied away from it. When Muddy died in 1983, it stoked his passion to play music.
When The Kennedy Center held a tribute to Waters in 1997 and didn’t mention Mud, it brought Mildred to tears and really lit a flame within him. “I couldn’t keep running, man,” Morganfield said, “I had to do what God put me here to do.” He was 43 years old and ready to dive-in to the blues life full-time. He has since toured internationally and released five solo albums and a fine 2014 tribute album, For Pops: A Tribute to Muddy Waters, which includes Kim Wilson and won the Blues Music Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. One of his albums is aptly named: Son of a Seventh Son.
Morganfield’s recently released Nola Blue album, Deep Mud, is an authentic example of Chicago Blues. The harp playing and production of Studebaker John help drive the record. Morganfield’s vocals have that same wonderful timbre of his father. Through his voice you can feel the humor and heartache and hard-earned wisdom of the man. Guitarists Mike Wheeler and Rick Kreher, an integral member of Waters’ last touring band, also star here and provide that real-deal vibe. A couple of the tracks were recorded live and make you feel like you’re in a blues club at midnight with glasses clinking. people telling lies, and the band going off. In some ways, it’s a party record, with barroom songs like “Bring Me My Whiskey”, “Big Frame Woman”, and “She’s Getting Her Groove On” leading the way.
Morganfield also recently performed “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” at the Chicago Blues Festival as part of the Chess Records 75th Anniversary celebration. He embraces his lineage and seems proud to be a part of the blues scene in his home city. He singles out some of the younger artists who are carrying the torch for that music like Ronnie Baker Brooks and Toronzo Cannon. “As long as my health holds up, I’ll be entertaining,” Morganfield said, “I love it. It’s what I was born with.” It took him some time, but Mud Morganfield is out there staking his claim and upholding the tradition of his father and his contemporaries.
Mud Morganfield “Bring Me My Whiskey”:
Mud Morganfield “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” (Live in China – 2024):
Mud Morganfield “Big Frame Woman”:
Mud Morganfield “She’s Getting Her Groove On”:
