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Muddy Waters' influence on blues is comparable to that of Charlie Parker on jazz, Hank Williams on country, and Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry on rock & roll. Waters' importance in American music cannot be denied, as he was even an influence (directly or indirectly) on Presley and Berry. Muddy Waters was one of the "architects" of electric blues.

This set captures Waters live in 1964 with his longtime accompanists, blues piano great Otis Spann and guitarist Sammy Lawhorn, in front of a wildly appreciative crowd. Waters is in fine form--his deep, authoritative voice conveys joy and desire ("Sittin' and Thinkin'"), then despair and longing ("County Jail") with equal power. The band's playing is dark, sharp (the slide guitar is deadly), and committed--no matter when you play this album it'll feel like it's the middle of the night.