One string on the guitar

 

Slim quote: Muddy had soul with one string on the guitar. What did he mean? First of all, he meant Muddy Waters was the greatest bluesman, I think. And that his music touched the soul. He also meant that Muddy needed no big accompaniment, or fanfare, and what he had shared was only what was essential. Sunnyland helped a lot of other musicians. He like to make things happen. He had a session with the Chess Brothers when they had the Aristocrat Label. He made a point to get Muddy on the session, and to tell them Muddy should be recorded as well. Muddy had recorded before, but the Chess Brothers had their own studio and would take all the time in the world to achieve what they thought were the best possible blues recordings. So Muddy's talent and their talent would become famous. "Can he sing?" Leonard asked Slim of Muddy. "Can he sing? He can sing like a bird." Slim replied. There is another level too. What Muddy Waters did was strip away artifice to find the fundamental element of blues. Other blues players [immigrants] moving from Mississippi to Chicago would take on the city trappings of jazz and urbanity. Muddy changed the focus - he brought the music of 'down home" but it was now electric.