Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters hits the stage pumping "Mannish Boy" in this concert from '81, working the crowd like a cross between Muhammad Ali and James Brown, and the audience goes crazy. But after that, the band's energy drops and doesn't really get back up there 'til Johnny Winter jumps in on guitar and vocals and kicks the band back into life. Muddy maintains his focus throughout, with a voice as deep and dark as a coalmine and a razor-sharp guitar that still speaks from the Mississippi delta. The harp player kicks, the bass and drums hold the swamp down admirably, and the two guitar players and pianist don't really make it but eventually rise to the occasion. There are some amazing moments here, like Big Twist and Mighty Joe Young shouting praises to Muddy and laying down some awesome verses on "Five Long Years." The video itself is well shot and edited and, except for a brief period where the footage goes black and white, provides a great live feel. In spite of a lurching first couple of tunes, this DVD is well worth the price of admission.