Talking with Mud Morganfield
Coffee, orange juice, croissants, and a spectacular view of Lake Lucerne with the snow capped mountains looming as a back drop...what could be better. I soon found myself listening to the four men talking at the next table. Actually, eavesdropping is a very dangerous sport. I almost fell off my chair trying to hear their plans for their roles in the Lucerne Blues Festival. “Getting down to business” were Mud Morganfield (Muddy Waters, Jr.), EG McDaniel (the bassist who was the son of Floyd McDaniel and cousin to Bo Diddley), Neil O’Hara (keys), and Rick Kreher (lead guitarist). Neil was going over the long playlist. Mud led the pack on deciding what was going to be done during their segments in the festival. All four men discussed what worked and what did not work, what sequence the songs should be in, what they felt comfortable with and who would do what. They decided what key different tunes would be in. Neil volunteered to look them up on the computer and have a retyped set list available later in the day. Mud discussed his trip to Russia and was very excited about it. This band leaned over the table that was laden with large cups of coffee and hot tea. They worked very hard to “make it right” for the next two nights. Their enthusiasm to do their best was exciting. They all agreed that they wanted the “crowd to leave saying that it was the best.” Mud claimed that he “wanted to keep bringing the music to them and not just the same old stuff.” He also added, “Sure, I have to do Muddy Waters tunes and do it the way the crowd wanted it.” They agreed on “Stairway to Heaven” which boggled my mind. They decided when to put their 'key piece', "Got my Mojo Working," into the act. I soon heard, “Let the kid, (Rick), speak up.” Mud asked his keyboardist what his opinions were about the upcoming show and the playlist. (The “kid” was still in college and had been playing music since he was seven years old.) They worked until all four were in agreement. I started to break into a sweat wondering “whether “we” had gotten it right.” I finally slithered my way onto the extra chair at their table. I was amazed that these music veterans would have to spend so much time “working out the details.” When questioned, Mud stated…”Always work at your trade. Find out what works and play it to your advantage. If it does not work, find out why and work it to your potential and the fans’ satisfaction.” Later that night I heard Mud play in the opening show at the Casineum Theater in the Grand Casino. I felt that “we” had put a good show together. I saw him and the band play the next night in the main room at the Grand Casino. After the performance, I slid onto the seat beside Mud where he was signing CDs and talking with his fans. I told him that I liked the last performance better. (During our initial talk, Mud Morganfield had told me to tell him what I liked and what I did not like.) He thought his performance on the first night was better. I had to disagree….he seemed more relaxed on the second night, the band was more congealed on the second night and the fans responded more to Mud and the music. Mud even started smiling more on the second night. The first night, he seemed more intent on making a defiant statement. All in all, Muddy Waters, Jr. had a powerful and rich voice. His act was one that was worth seeing. (Mud, you asked and I gave you my opinion…)
~ Jonnye Weber
