Muddy Waters-Hard Again (1977)

This is the fourth album by Muddy Waters to be honored as the best blues recording at the 1978 Grammy Awards. "Hard Again" was the twelfth album from this iconic guitarist, widely regarded as the most emblematic bluesman to emerge following the Second World War. His deep knowledge of the rural blues of the American South led him to fuse it with the electric blues of Chicago, a style he dominated throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. After leaving Chess Records, Waters signed with Blue Sky Records, and "Hard Again" served as his debut release for the new label. Produced by Johnny Winter, who also contributes as lead guitarist and featuring other blues greats such as James Cotton, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and Bob Margolin, this album stands as another excellent work by Muddy Waters. It showcases his commanding voice and formidable guitar skills across a collection of blues classics, including "Mannish Boy", "I Want To Be Loved", and "Blues Had a Baby and Named It Rock and Roll".