Page 28 - Rolling Stone - India (December 2019)

The Mix

Mud

Morganfield

Brought the

Chicago Blues

Down To Mumbai

The son of blues legend Muddy Waters
says, ‘You don’t get no blues in no
school book’

or american “Health.” He tells us that
bluesman Mud the music bug hit him for
FMorganfield, it’s as long as he can remember
all about keeping his dad’s as it’s in his genes. He says
legacy alive. His father is with a chuckle, “I might
none other than legendary have been tapping on my
blues artist Muddy Waters. mother’s stomach man.”
He says over the phone from Even though Morganfield
his Chicago home, “I think mentions that music has
what I do is give people a always been with him, it
chance that didn’t see my was only in 2008 that he re-
dad, I kind of give them a leased his debut album Fall
glimpse of him through me.” Waters Fall. Ask him why
Indian audiences got the it took him so long and he
opportunity to catch that says, “You know you just
glimpse when Morganfield can’t claim you’re a blues
performed in Mumbai for person, man. Unless you go
the first time on November get some blues [sadness].
23rd at the city-based Na- That’s the idea of blues. I
tional Centre of Performing was getting my blues. You
Arts. Ahead of the gig the have to go through some-
musician said, “In Chicago, thing; you just can’t say I’m
it is cold and snowy. It’s not a blues person without going
nice, give me some of that through something.”
[Mumbai] heat. I’ve been Growing up in Chicago’s people were saying he looks When we inform Morgan- Next, the musician tells
to Russia, Argentina; I’ve west side was “pretty rough” like you. I was very proud to field that India has quite a us he is working on a new
been to quite a few places according to Morgan- be the son of Muddy Waters big blues scene, he’s pleas- album which he hopes to
but never to India.” He adds, field. He explains that his at that point,” he says. It is a antly happy about it. What put out soon. He says, “I’m
“This will be my first time dad, Buddy Guy and all double-edged sword at times are his thoughts on the going to try and work as
and not only me, the band those cats that came before and about being the son of current blues scene around much as I can as long as I
too. We’re all looking so “came from the suffering one of the greatest blues the world? He says, “I like can. I’m up in age now. I’m
forward to it, just to play of the south during slavery musicians ever, Morganfield em’. I’m not feeling the rock not one foot in the grave
some blues.” time and right after slavery says, “Absolutely! On one blues. But I guess there’s a one foot out yet. But I got
Morganfield’s blues can time” and that’s how they hand, you have people say- place for everything. But a lot of things I need to do
best be heard on his 2012 got their blues. ing okay he sounds like his I think you should keep it man. I need to leave some-
record Son of a Seventh Ask Morganfield about dad and I know some people simple man.” Morganfield thing behind so that when
Son which includes groovy one memory of his dad that who really understood the adds, “Rock is rock, blues is they open up the book of
tracks such as “Short Dress stands out and he says, “I significance of dad. Some blues, jazz is jazz, contempo- Muddy Waters they can COURTESY OF THE ARTIST
Woman” and “Catfishing” as must have been about 13 or people love it man, it ain’t rary is contemporary, R&B say, ‘Hey his son, he’s okay
well as melancholic songs 14 years old and I went to what they care it’s what I is R&B. You need to keep too’ and that’s my goal.”
including the title track and see dad perform and all the care.” blues in its category.” DAVID BRITTO

30 | Rolling Stone | December 2019