Sunday, January 15, 2012

Brothers, in a Way


A photograph of this striking drawing from 1903 of Gustav Mahler (artist unidentified) appeared in the L.A. Times recently. I was immediately reminded of my favorite photograph of Muddy Waters, a similar profile view. Each image so wonderfully captures the artist's verve.


One of my favorite songs from this CD is "Baby, Please Don't Go," written by Joseph Lee Williams. On paper, the lyrics seem ordinary and tame. It is what Muddy does with them that makes the song so great.

Baby, please don't go
Baby, please don't go
Bay please don't go down to New Orleans
You know I love you so

Before I be your dog
Before I be your dog
Before I be your dog
I get you way'd out here, and let you walk alone

Turn your lamp down low
Turn your lamp down low
Turn your lamp down low
I beg you all night long, baby, please don't go

You brought we way down here
You brought me way down here
You brought me way down here
'bout to Rolling Forks, you treat me like a dog

Baby, please don't go
Baby, please don't go
Baby, please don't go back to New Orleans
I beg you all night long

Before I be your dog
Before I be your dog
Before I be your dog
I get you way'd out here, and let you walk alone

You know your man done gone
You know your man done gone
You know your man done gone
To the county farm, with all the shackles on

Baby, please don't go
Baby, please don't go
Baby, please don't go down to New Orleans
You know I love you so

2 comments:

  1. This happens to be one of my favorites too. Great keyboards, incredible voice and a tempo that begged you not to go... Muddy waters was one of a kind.

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  2. Glenn! Wow! How wonderful to hear from you!!

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