Checkerboard Lounge - Live Chicago 1981 - Muddy Waters (2LP Vinyl)

Every serious collector needs Checkerboard Lounge - Live Chicago 1981 by Muddy Waters in their collection – this is essential listening featuring The Rolling Stones.

This session brings together Muddy Waters with The Rolling Stones – a collaboration that creates something truly special.

I discovered this during a trip to Memphis, where the locals told me this was essential listening. They weren't wrong.

Muddy had just plugged in and electrified the Delta blues, creating what we now know as Chicago blues. He was gathering some of the most talented musicians around him – future legends who were learning from the master himself. This recording captures that raw energy of electric blues in its infancy, when every session was pushing the boundaries of what blues could be.

Musical Analysis:
The raw emotional power of this blues recording hits you immediately. Muddy Waters's performance is deeply rooted in the tradition while pushing boundaries in subtle but meaningful ways. The supporting musicians – The Rolling Stones – understand their role perfectly, creating space for the lead while adding their own emotional weight to the proceedings. The guitar work showcases that perfect balance between technical skill and emotional expression that defines great blues. The rhythm section locks in with a groove that's both relaxed and driving, creating that hypnotic quality that makes you lose track of time. This is blues played by musicians who lived it, not just studied it.

From a Collector's Perspective:
After decades of hunting down rare pressings and audiophile releases, I can tell you that records like this don't come around often. This isn't just a record – it's a piece of musical history that belongs in any serious collection. The market for recordings like this has only grown stronger over the years, as more collectors recognize the artistic and historical significance of these sessions.

What makes this pressing special:
Gatefold
Printed inner sleeves.
Format

Track Listing:
A1. Sweet Little Angel
A2. Flip Flop And Fly
A3. Introduction (Instrumental)
A4. You Don't Have To Go
A5. Country Boy
B1. Baby Please Don't Go
B2. Hoochie Coochie Man
B3. Long Distance Call
C1. Mannish Boy
C2. Got My Mojo Workin'
C3. Next Time You See Me
D1. One Eyed Woman
D2. Baby Please Don't Go (Instrumental)
D3. Clouds In My Heart
D4. Champagne And Reefer

Sound Quality & Pressing Details:
The sonic characteristics of this pressing are exceptional. The dynamic range captures every nuance of the original performance – from the subtle brush work on the drums to the full bloom of the horns in the climactic passages. The recording captures that raw, immediate energy that defines great blues. The guitar tone has that perfect balance of warmth and bite, the vocals sit perfectly in the mix, and the rhythm section provides that solid foundation you can feel in your chest. Pressing quality is crucial for a record like this, and this release maintains the highest standards. The vinyl is quiet between tracks, tracking is excellent throughout, and the overall presentation does justice to the source material. Modern pressing technology has allowed engineers to revisit the original master tapes with fresh ears and cutting-edge equipment, resulting in a sound quality that often surpasses earlier reissues.

If you're building a serious collection, this belongs on your shelf. I guarantee you'll return to this record again and again.

– Miles Waxey

Artist: Muddy Waters

Supporting Artists: The Rolling Stones

Format: 1LP

Genre: Blues

Label: Mercury

Catalog Number: MSVL542954

Release Year: 2022

Country: Germany

Condition: Sealed (New)