Muddy Waters 1915-1983 — Let's Say He Was A Gentleman

IT IS ALL but impossible to concisely summarize Muddy Waters' achievements, much less get a handle on mourning him. If Muddy were merely the first of the great Chicago bluesmen (which he was), he would be an important figure in American music. That he was also the last great Delta bluesman begins to give you a sense of dimensions. But he was so much more: a fine songwriter, magnificent singer, marvelous bottleneck guitarist, unparalleled bandleader, astute talent scout, generous and inspiring father figure. In short, he had such clarity of vision, sheer talent and unshakable self-possession that he galvanized everything around him. As an influential master musician in postwar America, he ranks with Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and Miles Davis.