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
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
"Mannish Boy" (Morganfield, Ellas McDaniel, Mel London) – 5:23
"Bus Driver" (Morganfield, Terry Abrahamson) – 7:44
"I Want to Be Loved" (Willie Dixon) – 2:20
"Jealous Hearted Man" – 4:23
"I Can't Be Satisfied" – 3:28
"The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock And Roll, Pt. 2" (Morganfield, Brownie McGhee) – 3:35 "Deep Down in Florida" – 5:25 "Crosseyed Cat" – 5:59 "Little Girl" – 7:06
2004 bonus track
<li>"Walking Through the Park" – 3:55
Personnel
The following people contributed to Hard Again: