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