Gunsmoke Blues

Rating:
Summary: We've seen the Muddy stuff but the additional stuff blazes
Review: Although all of the Muddy Waters material have already been released by Vestapol, this new release is a different edit with more audience shots and better sound and picture. Additionally there is short snippets of the artist betweens the sets that give this a more watchable experience. The Muddy set is awesome but it is the additional material that makes Gunsmoke Blues a must have!
Big Mama Thornton kicks things off with Crazy One Morning and then Ball Chain. (Additional bonus material includes Hound and Rock Me, Baby) Although already in decline (compare her just six years earlier on the AFBF 1962-1969 Volumes II & III) Big Mama belts out her tunes and plays decent harp.
To me, as a harmonica player, the George "Harmonica" Smith tracks that follows is alone worth the price of admission. First he absolutely rips through Little Walter's Juke. Then he pulls out his 16 holer and gives a clinic on blues chromatic playing on "Leaving Chicago" (As an additional bonus included is audio only version of Gershwin's Summertime).
Two Big Joe Turner songs (Shake Rattle and Roll, Hide and Seek) precedes the Muddy set. The Muddy show smokes (again more George Smith!). For blues lovers in general and harp players in particular this one of the best releases of the year.