Personnel: Muddy Waters (vocals, guitar, slide guitar); Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Winter (guitar, slide guitar); Walter Horton, Jerry Portnoy (acoustic & electric harp); Pine Top Perkins (piano); Bob Margolin (bass); Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (drums). Also available in a 3-pack with HARD AGAIN and KING BEE. Muddy Waters brought the Mississippi Delta blues sound to Chicago, electrified it (literally and figuratively), and made history. There is not a blues performer, or blues-oriented rock performer (the Rolling Stones got their name from a Waters tune), or "roots"-oriented performer in any genre who does not own something to Muddy Waters. In the late '70s, Waters' fire had not only not dimmed with time; it was burning hotter than ever, and he KNEW that he ruled the world. The man sang with passion, yet had the easy confidence of a person who knew his racket backwards and forwards. Here, he's backed by some young guns, Johnny Winter and Bob Margolin; as well as older (but still firm) hands, Walter Horton and Jimmy Rogers. The program holds few surprises--it's mostly blues standards, making clear that it's not what you say, but how you say it. No new ground is broken--I'M READY gets its fire from a big, craggy yet good-hearted voice that can stop you in your tracks, surrounded by players whose hot sound can cut through you like an icy wind. Recommended to old fans and neophytes alike.

• Genre: Blues
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 12/09/2014