Hard Again

Hard Again is a album by Muddy Waters. It was produced by Johnny Winter who also played guitar. The record was his first for Blue Sky Records. It was also the first studio album after he left Chess Records

 Recording 
The recordings lasted three days. For the recordings Muddy used his then current touring band of guitarist Bob Margolin, pianist Pinetop Perkins, and drummer Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. James Cotton played harmonica and Charles Calmeses the bass.

 Songs 
Three of the songs on the album – "Mannish Boy", "I Want to Be Loved", and "I Can't Be Satisfied" – were re-recordings of songs for Chess Records. One of the songs recorded, "The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll, Pt. 2", was co-written by Brownie McGhee and another song, "Bus Driver", was co-written by T. Abrahamson.

An outtake from the recording sessions, "Walking Through the Park", appeared on the 2004 Legacy Recordings reissue CD, while several more unused tracks appeared on King Bee in 1981.

 Reception 
The album has been well received by several critics.  Dan Oppenheimer of Rolling Stone magazine said that "Mannish Boy" sounded like it was recorded live while both Oppenheimer and Daniel Gioffre of Allmusic state how powerful Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's drumming is. Oppenheimer, Gioffre, and Robert Christgau all share the opinion that Hard Again is Muddy Waters comeback album.

 Charts and awards 
Hard Again peaked at #143 on the Billboard 200, which was his first appearance on the chart since Fathers and Sons in 1969.
 Track listing 
All songs written by McKinley Morganfield, except where others are noted.
 Original album 
 "Mannish Boy" (Morganfield, Ellas McDaniel, Mel London) – 5:23
 "Bus Driver" (Morganfield, Terry Abrahamson) – 7:44
 "I Want to Be Loved" (Willie Dixon) – 2:20
 "Jealous Hearted Man" – 4:23
 "I Can't Be Satisfied" – 3:28
 "The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock And Roll, Pt. 2" (Morganfield, Brownie McGhee) – 3:35
 "Deep Down in Florida" – 5:25
 "Crosseyed Cat" – 5:59
 "Little Girl" – 7:06

 2004 bonus track 
<li>"Walking Through the Park" – 3:55

 Personnel 
The following people contributed to Hard Again:

Muddy Waters – vocals, guitar
Bob Margolin – guitar
Pinetop Perkins – piano
James Cotton – harmonica
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith – drums
Charles Calmese – bass
Johnny Winter – guitar, producer
Dave Still – engineer
Andy Manganello – assistant engineer
Joseph M. Palmaccio – mastering
Al Quaglieri – reissue producer
Chris Theis – mix engineer

 Release history 
 Region Date Label Format Catalog United States January 10, 1977 Blue Sky Records LP PZ 34449 United Kingdom 1977 Blue Sky Records LP SKY 32357 Europe 1977 Blue Sky Records LP SKY 81853 Australia 1977 CBS Records LP SBP 234953 United States 1987 Blue Sky Records CD ZK 34449 Cassette PZT 34449 United States 2004 Epic/Legacy Recordings CD EK 86817 Europe 2004 Epic/Legacy Recordings CD EPC 515161 2

 References 

 Other websites 
musicbox-online Hard Again album review

Category:Blues albums