Mud Morganfield has rapidly ascended to become one of the most sort-after blues singers of today and Rye Jazz Festival could not be more proud and honoured that he is starting off his UK tour in Rye.
On Thursday, August 11, I spent a delightful half-an-hour chatting to Mud about his life, his passions and his loves and about his forthcoming trip. Here are some snippets of the conversation. I began by saying, “You must have been interviewed so many, many times.” and before I could say any more, Mud replied, “And I love it.” His rich warm tones cascaded down the airwaves and the interview began to unfold.
What advice would you give to aspiring young blues players just starting out?
I only have one, and I can’t stress it enough. We are losing so many youngsters to addictions. They think you need to be intoxicated to be great. That is one of the biggest lies we were ever told. So many youngsters believe that to play better they need to create an artificial high with drugs or booze. You don’t need a high to play better you only need what God gave you. You either have it or you don’t.
What makes you like Britain so much; I know you call it your second home?
I am looking forward to coming to Rye. If I couldn’t stay in the US any more I would come to the UK. I have toured a lot of countries from Russia to Brazil, but the UK is more in tune to the blues than the US. The British are so humble, they are so gracious: I have never been to a gig when they didn’t give me a standing ovation. They cheered me on, I could sound like a mess but you guys would still cheer me on. This humbleness and graciousness, it drives me, it spurs me on. It makes me want to be better as an artist and you don’t get that all the time. It makes the UK special in my eyes.
What three adjectives would choose to describe yourself?
I have no idea. I have always been a momma’s boy and I always will be. I am funny. I love to laugh.
What characteristics do you share with your father?
Well, I don’t notice things like that. A lot of people say I look like him, my gestures are like him and my vocals.
What has been your most memorable experience?
I only have one. I have a reoccurring dream of my dad coming to me. Playing, he is always performing. He never speaks, he just performs. It is very special to me. He was a very big influence in my life. It is why I am where I am at today, because of dad. I ran from the blues for a long time because dad’s shoes are some huge shoes to put your foot into. I tried to duck but the blues called for me. I always had the music in my soul and in my heart so it had to come out at some point.
What things would you wish to pass on to your children?
I pass on music same as it was passed on to me. I wish them to keep on passing it on. It’s true – music do soothe the savage beast. And music do influence people and makes them feel good. Music is great for the world.
Did you have a hero when you were growing up?
Music was so much part of my life. I come up with in the Motown days with Billy Wise and Hall and Oates and dad’s music was in the house.
Do you ever go on holiday or have down time?
I just had two years of it. I just played my music and create new songs.
I remind myself, “There’s not a note that hasn’t been struck before” and yet I search for new songs that sound different.
Do you have a bucket list and things you still wish to do?
I am almost 70 and my life is pretty much set. My bucket list is to be, not debt free, but not worry about paying my bills and live decently and nicely till it’s my time to leave here.
Very interestingly throughout the conversation, no matter what we were talking about, Mud kept on bringing the conversation round to his father, Muddy Waters. Although he wasn’t present much in his childhood the musical bond is very strong. Mud has his own style but it is influenced by his upbringing and his dad.
Mud’s mom however is, and was always, the rock in his life. He told me that “the sun don’t shine till my mom gets up!”. His sense of family is palpable. His mother is 90 on August 14 and he loves her dearly. He said, “My mom is fantastic. She stepped up to the plate when she needed to. She was kinda like my mom and dad rolled into one. My mom and her seven brothers stood in the place of my dad.”
Final words from Mud
I am looking forward to coming to play with so many great artistes, and with my incredible band which includes, Eric Ranzoni on keyboards, Ronnie Boysen on lead guitar, Brendan O’Neill on drums, Ian Jennings on bass and West Weston on harmonica.
Here’s the thing. Those guys eat and drink Muddy Waters ‘We are the A team’
Tickets are selling fast and so be sure to book as soon as you can so not to miss out on what will surely be an amazing ‘Authentic Chicago Blues Experience’.
Book tickets online at www.ryejazz.com.
Image Credits: Carl Batson , WENN Rights Ltd .