Muddy Waters or Howlin' Wolf?

[Redleg]

Who is the greatest bluesman?

[Redleg]

1. My vote goes to Muddy.

I love the Wolf too.

[BeyondGeography]

2. I think Muddy is the greatest vocalist of any popular genre

I love him so much, it makes me sick.

Love the Wolf, too. But Muddy had depth, range and an ability to show his vulnerability that places him apart, IMHO.

Long Distance Call, anyone?

BTW, great question, Redleg.

[Redleg]

6. I especially like his early Chess recordings.

His pentrating voice and guitar cut me to my soul. Long Distance Call, I Can't Be Satisfied, Still a Fool, Rollin' and Tumblin', Rollin' Stone, I feel Like Going Home- it's all good!

[Minstrel Boy]

3. Muddy Waters for me.

Never got into Howlin' Wolf.

Saw Muddy perform in 1976 when I was in high school. Wish it wasn't the only time.

[mr_hat]

4. Oxygen or water? C'mon.

[Redleg]

5. I know, a tough question.

I couldn't live without either.

[mr_hat]

7. I'll make this distinction: Muddy, seminal. Wolf, >

a bridge.

[Redleg]

8. I see Muddy as a bridge too- between the Delta blues of Son House

and the urban Chicago sound. Our musical heritage would be much less without Muddy and the Wolf.

[mr_hat]

9. Totally agree; I jumped one link, at least. >

I'm guilty of narrowing my appraisal to the white pop icons who brought their sounds to the kids: Johnny Winter, the Stones, et al.

[Redleg]

10. You're right about that. Wolf's Sun Records work are early Rock & Roll

recordings in my opinion.

[mr_hat]

11. Yep. Those recordings gave me a 40+ year itch. >

God, scratching it is SO sweet.

[progmom]

12. I'm all about the Wolf

yep.