The Time I Met Muddy

Digital collage by Kathryn Kiolbassa.

I saw Muddy Waters only once and it turned out to be an unusual experience. First off, I got in because my companion was still dressed from a Barbizon modelling gig. I guess she looked over 21, and so the door man let us in. The gig was at a fancy hotel lounge and it was 21 or older. I was 17 and so was she. Whatever. We got a good table and drank sodas during the first set and it was great. Close enough to watch Muddy play his slide guitar! At the start of his second set, Muddy announced that James Cotton was in the house, and after cheering him on several times, Cotton finally stood up and received some applause.

Then Muddy urged him to come on up and play. Cotton was not happy, and Muddy really worked him until he finally, painfully, came on stage. I do not remember what tune Muddy played, but Cotton did back him. When it was over, Muddy says, "now why don't he take center stage for ya'll?!" He moved, let Cotton come up front, and Muddy left. Cotton conferred with the band and after some delay, they tore into his instrumental, The Creeper. It was good, even if the band almost didn't know it. By the time the applause subsided, there was still no Muddy. They played another number. No Muddy. The band seemed clueless. One more number, by which time Cotton was clearly furious. He left. The band did an instrumental, and took a break. Muddy never returned, and there wasn't any more music. And it was not even midnight! I did notice Cotton leaving in a hurry soon after he got to his table, and boy, was he still mad!

DJ Pi aka Paul Yamada

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