Grammy Award-winning blues harmonica player and songwriter Charlie Mussel and bandleader Charlie Musselwhite has released his latest album, Mississippi Son, on Alligator Records. The new release features the 82-year-old musician returning to his roots in Clarksdale, Mississippi, to record stripped-down, emotionally raw performances following a recent move back to the state from Northern California.
A Return to Mississippi Roots
The new album, Mississippi Son, showcases Musselwhite's versatility by featuring his guitar work throughout all 14 tracks in addition to his signature harmonica playing. According to Alligator Records, the album includes eight original songs and features a mix of self-penned autobiographical tracks like the opener "Blues Up The River" alongside reinterpretations of classics such as Charley Patton's "Pea Vine Blues," John Lee Hooker's "Hobo Blues," and The Stanley Brothers' "Rank Strangers."
Musselwhite, who was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, on January 31, 1944, describes his blues style as "secular spiritual music." The album's recording process in the heart of the Delta reflects a full-circle moment for the artist. His musical journey began as a teenager when he first experienced an E7 chord on an acoustic guitar, sparking a lifelong pursuit of the genre.
Life in Memphis and Chicago
The musician's upbringing was deeply intertwined with the blues tradition. After moving to Memphis at age three, Musselwhite worked various jobs as a teenager, including stints as a ditch digger, concrete layer, and moonshine runner in a 1950 Lincoln automobile. During this era in Memphis, he encountered legendary figures such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, while also forming deep musical bonds with veteran bluesmen like Furry Lewis, Will Shade, and Gus Cannon.
Chicago Blues Influence
Seeking better employment, Musselwhite eventually moved to Chicago along the "Hillbilly Highway" (Highway 51). While working as a driver for an exterminator, he frequented South Side blues clubs at night, building connections with icons such as Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Big Joe Williams. He famously shared an apartment with Williams and worked at the Jazz Record Mart, a hub for the city's blues community.
Rise to Musical Prominence
Musselwhite's professional breakthrough occurred in 1965 when producer Sam Charters included him in the Vanguard Records trilogy, Chicago/The Blues/Today!. This led to his 1966 solo debut, Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite's South Side Band. His success eventually drew him to San Francisco during the late 1960s, where he became a prominent figure in the West Coast counterculture music scene.
A Diverse Musical Legacy
Throughout his six-decade career, Musselwhite has released nearly 40 albums. His work has frequently crossed genres, incorporating elements of jazz, gospel, Tex-Mex, and Cuban music. Notable past works include the 1990s Alligator Records releases Ace Of Harps, Signature, and In My Time, as well as the 2020 Grammy-nominated collaboration with Elvin Bishop, 100 Years Of Blues.
Critical Acclaim and Collaborations
The album In My Time, which featured modern and traditional bands, was previously noted by the Associated Press as calling the record "Musselwhite's best album ever." That project served as a musical snapshot of his influences, including Roosevelt Sykes and Fred McDowell. His discography also includes collaborations with high-profile artists such as Tom Waits, Bonnie Raitt, Eddie Vedder, and Ben Harper.
