Muddy Waters Movies

This presentation of the PBS American Masters anthology recounts the life and life's work of the "archetypal bluesman," Muddy Waters. Born McKinley A. Morganfield in 1915 (his nickname was bestowed on him by his mother), Waters became skilled at guitar and harmonica early on, but the racial and economic circumstances of the Mississippi Delta area in which he lived dictated that he could not support himself as a musician, thus he toiled away at a variety of depressing dead-end jobs. He might have remained in utter obscurity had it not been for the diligent efforts of African-American musicologist John Work III, who in 1941 embarked upon an expedition into the Deep South in search of authentic "ethnic" music and talented amateur musicians. Once he had committed his work to record, Waters became a international icon and sensation, though it seemed that the only people who truly benefited financially from his vast musical output were the white singers who performed the "cover" versions. Even so, Muddy Waters had ascended to the status of legend by the time he passed away, still recording and performing, in 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The blues style of Muddy Waters evolved from the Delta blues he learned in Mississippi, which he developed into a new form that influenced the Chicago blues circle. Bob Margolin worked under Waters in the '70s, and learned his music directly from the source. In Muddy Waters: Guitar Style, he offers instruction in the Waters style, and demonstrates the methods for boogie blues, slow blues, slide guitar, and bass lines. The program includes scenes of Muddy Waters in performance, and Margolin performs a song he wrote for Waters. ~ Alice Day, Rovi

Follow the development of blues with footage of Muddy Waters, Jimmy Witherspoon, Billie Holiday, Ida Cox, Big Mama Thornton, Joe Turner, Joe Williams and B.B. King. ~ Rovi

The late Muddy Waters was one of the finest and most influential blues performers of all time -- just ask The Rolling Stones, who took their name from one of his songs. On this video, Muddy was captured in fine form onstage at the Chicago Blues Festival, with friend and collaborator Johnny Winter sitting in on guitar; songs include Mannish Boy and I'm A King Bee. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

In 1979 Eric Clapton put his band in a three-carriage train originally at the disposal of Hermann Goering during the Nazi years in Germany, and traveled from town to town on the Continent, from one concert to the next. It was an easy way to transport and house the band and its equipment, and it offered ample opportunity for interviews, group interactions, and filming. Clapton talks about his music and his work and peaks the viewer's interest with stories about musicians like Jimi Hendrix and George Harrison. Interviews are balanced with performances by Muddy Waters, Elton John, and George Harrison, as well as Clapton and his band in full concert. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

"Blow Wind, Blow," "Long Distance Call," "Mannish Boy" and "Mojo Workin'" are among the songs featured in this performance. Guest stars include Dr. John, Mike Bloomfield and Johnny Winter. ~ Rovi

If Muddy Waters wasn't the greatest artist of post-war electric blues, it's hard to say who else would have been; combing a powerful musical ferocity with a voice that could be sensual, sorrowful, or boastful at will, Waters was a masterful showman, a superb songwriters, and featured only the finest musicians in his band. Muddy Waters: In Concert - 1971 features Waters and his group playing a set of classic tunes in a show recorded during a West Coast tour when both the leader and his sidemen were at the top of their game. Selections include "Mannish Boy," "Hoochie Coochie Man," "Crawlin' Kingsnake," "Got My Mojo Working," "Long Distance Call," and more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi