Ramblin' Mind

1	Mellow Chick Swing 2:46
2	Strong Man Holler 4:37
3	Roll With Me 3:01
4	What's the Matter 2:57
5	People Sure Act Funny 3:02
6	Ramblin' Mind 3:12
7	Trace of You 2:55
8	Dirty Dealin' Mama 4:17
9	Foolish Love 3:04
10	My Doggy's Got the Blues 2:58
11	Troubles 3:17
12	Highway 69 4:18
13	Little Ange 3:12
14	You're Gonna Miss Me 3:27

Barnes & Noble

Big Bill Morganfield is back with a sophomore CD, Ramblin’ Mind, and it’s even stronger than his highly lauded debut, Rising Son. Under the aegis of veteran blues studio producer Dick Shurman (Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, Roy Buchanan), there are more hues to the blues painted in this set, and Morganfield has mellowed into reviving the electric bluesman role that his father, Muddy Waters, defined more than four decades ago. The opening “Mellow Chick Swing” is a retro dance ditty in which Morganfield’s booming baritone sounds smooth and creamy against Billy Branch’s powerhouse harmonica playing. For the roadhouse rouser “Roll with Me,” Morganfield uses a Big Bopper laugh and steaming slide guitar, while pianist Pinetop Perkins and drummer Willie “Big Eyes” Smith (both former members of Waters’s band) help the singer/guitarist pay tribute to the classic Chicago sound of the early ‘60s on “Dirty Dealin’ Mama.” Morganfield proves his songwriting prowess with tunes ranging from the humorous “My Doggy’s Got the Blues” to the man-done-wrong shuffle “What’s the Matter,” plus a couple of originals that have an early R&B flair, complete with backup singers. Taj Mahal penned “Strong Man Holler” for Morganfield, and the two share vocals and guitar work on both this number and the Morganfield original “You’re Gonna Miss Me.” Though he is quite a bit younger, Morganfield has done enough woodsheddin’ to hold his own with Mahal, and the two trade licks like brothers in the blues. As a result, Ramblin’ Mind is an organic adventure from start to finish, making it an exceptional CD in these days of blues recordings that sound as if the musicians were seeded with chemical compounds and nourished on steroids before bearing their fruit. Roberta Penn

All Music Guide

Due to some sly humor, a few jazz-oriented numbers (including "Mellow Chick Swing"), and the consistently strong material, this blues set is also recommended to fans of straight-ahead jazz. Ranging from a couple swinging pieces and some lowdown Muddy Waters-type blues to two strong appearances by Taj Mahal, this is a release that never lets up. Mr. B's piano solos are a major joy, the harmonica playing (by Bill Lupkin, Billy Branch, and Paul Oscher) is excellent, Morganfield's expressive vocals always hit their mark, and the music is quite enjoyable. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow