Hard Again

Hard Again is a album by Muddy Waters. It was produced by Johnny Winter who also played guitar. The record was his first for Blue Sky Records. It was also the first studio album after he left Chess Records

Hard Again
Studio album by Muddy Waters
Released	10 January 1977
Recorded	October 1976
Genre	Chicago blues
Length	49:39
Label	Blue Sky
Producer	Johnny Winter
Muddy Waters chronology
Live at Jazz Jamboree '76 (1976) Hard Again I'm Ready (1978)

Recording

The recordings lasted three days. For the recordings Muddy used his then current touring band of guitarist Bob Margolin, pianist Pinetop Perkins, and drummer Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. James Cotton played harmonica and Charles Calmeses the bass.

Songs

Three of the songs on the album – "Mannish Boy", "I Want to Be Loved", and "I Can't Be Satisfied" – were re-recordings of songs for Chess Records. One of the songs recorded, "The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll, Pt. 2", was co-written by Brownie McGhee and another song, "Bus Driver", was co-written by T. Abrahamson.

An outtake from the recording sessions, "Walking Through the Park", appeared on the 2004 Legacy Recordings reissue CD, while several more unused tracks appeared on King Bee in 1981.

Reception

The album has been well received by several critics. Dan Oppenheimer of Rolling Stone magazine said that "Mannish Boy" sounded like it was recorded live while both Oppenheimer and Daniel Gioffre of Allmusic state how powerful Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's drumming is. Oppenheimer, Gioffre, and Robert Christgau all share the opinion that Hard Again is Muddy Waters comeback album.

Charts and awards

Hard Again peaked at #143 on the Billboard 200, which was his first appearance on the chart since Fathers and Sons in 1969.

Track listing

All songs written by McKinley Morganfield, except where others are noted.

Original album

1. "Mannish Boy" (Morganfield, Ellas McDaniel, Mel London) – 5:23
2. "Bus Driver" (Morganfield, Terry Abrahamson) – 7:44
3. "I Want to Be Loved" (Willie Dixon) – 2:20
4. "Jealous Hearted Man" – 4:23
5. "I Can't Be Satisfied" – 3:28
6. "The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock And Roll, Pt. 2" (Morganfield, Brownie McGhee) – 3:35
7. "Deep Down in Florida" – 5:25
8. "Crosseyed Cat" – 5:59
9. "Little Girl" – 7:06

2004 bonus track

10. "Walking Through the Park" – 3:55

Personnel

The following people contributed to Hard Again:

• Muddy Waters – vocals, guitar
• Bob Margolin – guitar
• Pinetop Perkins – piano
• James Cotton – harmonica
• Willie "Big Eyes" Smith – drums
• Charles Calmese – bass
• Johnny Winter – guitar, producer
• Dave Still – engineer
• Andy Manganello – assistant engineer
• Joseph M. Palmaccio – mastering
• Al Quaglieri – reissue producer
• Chris Theis – mix engineer

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
United States	January 10, 1977	Blue Sky Records	LP	PZ 34449
United Kingdom	1977	Blue Sky Records	LP	SKY 32357
Europe	1977	Blue Sky Records	LP	SKY 81853
Australia	1977	CBS Records	LP	SBP 234953
United States	1987	Blue Sky Records	CD	ZK 34449
			Cassette	PZT 34449
United States	2004	Epic/Legacy Recordings	CD	EK 86817
Europe	2004	Epic/Legacy Recordings	CD	EPC 515161 2

Other websites

• musicbox-online Hard Again album review