Big Bill Morganfield - Rising Son (1999)

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Big Bill Morganfield - Rising Son (1999)

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An avalanche of praise followed the release of Bill's recording debut. From Billboard to People to National Public Radio's Weekend Edition, critics across the land were quick to extol the emergence of this impressive new talent. Guitar Player magazine summed it up by declaring, "Big Bill is a singer/songwriter who surely would have made Muddy smile." The New York Post touted Rising Son by saying, "This is one of the most impressive debuts to break in a number years." And the Boston Herald announced, "Morganfield brings plenty of originality to the party - in the high quality of his original tunes, his blunt yet effective guitar style and the way he casually rises to the first-rank level of his accompaniment." Perhaps the most gratifying acknowledgment of all came when Bill won the W.C. Handy Award for "Best New Blues Artist," the equivalent of a Grammy Award in the blues world.

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Big Bill Morganfield - Rising Son (1999)

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He's got some of the biggest shoes to fill in the history of blues, but Muddy Waters' son, Big Bill Morganfield leads three of his father's former compatriots through a stirring set of blues standards and new tracks. Morganfield's slide guitar is an excellent addition to the proceedings.

Biography by Linda Seida
Many men try to fill their father's shoes when they join the family business. Few, however, must prove they are up to the task in front of an audience as large as the one that watched Big Bill Morganfield. Blues lovers the world over revere his late father, Muddy Waters.
Morganfield didn't take up the challenge until several years after his dad passed away in 1983. When he realized he wanted to delve into the world of blues as his father had, he purchased a guitar, intending to pay homage to the legendary Waters, whose real name was McKinley Morganfield. That tribute was six long years in coming, years that Morganfield spent teaching himself how to play the instrument. An evening spent playing at Center Stage in Atlanta with Lonnie Mack followed. The audience, which numbered 1000, went wild over the performance and set the novice musician's spirit afire.
He went on to establish a contemporary blues group, but abandoned the idea after several months. Dissatisfied with the music he was making, he pulled back from performing to further hone his skills. He concentrated on traditional blues and also learned how to write songs. During this time, Morganfield supported himself by teaching. He possesses degrees in English and communications, which he earned at Tuskegee University and Auburn University, respectively
The years of dedication and hard work paid off handsomely. Morganfield's debut album, Rising Son, was released in 1999 to popular and critical acclaim. The magazine Guitar Player expressed their belief that Morganfield's album would have brought a smile to his father's face. The following year, the W.C. Handy Awards dubbed Waters' son the Best New Blues Artist.
Morganfield recorded Rising Son in Chicago, the site of many of Waters' recording sessions. Bob Margolin, Waters' guitarist, served as producer and also appeared on the album. Featured were several of Waters' bandmates, including: drummer Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, piano player Pinetop Perkins, and harmonica player Paul Oscher. Also in attendance was blues bassist Robert Stroger, an ex-member of Sunnyland Slim's band.
Ramblin' Mind, Morganfield's second album, featured an appearance by Taj Mahal on two songs, which also featured Billy Branch on harmonica. Mahal also contributed his original composition "Strong Man Holler" to the album. One of Waters' songs, "You're Gonna Miss Me," also was included.
Morganfield grew up in Florida, where he resided with his grandmother, and later made his home in Atlanta. He performed in a tribute to his father staged at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He kept in his possession his father's guitars and a touring amp.