The Complete Muddy Waters 1947-1967

 

'The Complete Muddy Waters 1947-1967' was released in 1992, on the Charly Records label, as part of their "RED BOX" series.

This 9CD, 205 track box set compiles all the tracks released by Muddy Waters on the Chess label between 1947 and 1967.  In 1992 this was the complete known Muddy Waters from 1947 to 1967.  Since then, a few alternate takes have turned up.  This set does not have Mudd's 'Super Blues' sessions from January and September 1967.  However, this box is the only place you're going to find more than a few essential 1950s sides that MCA (current owners of the Chess catalog) hasn't gotten around to releasing, and might not ever.

Speaking of ownership, in 1994 MCA sued Charly Records over the ownership rights to a catalog of postwar blues and early rock & roll music known as the "Chess Catalog."

Here's a Billboard Magazine article from October 18, 1997, regarding the lawsuit.

From the above article:
"Charly had changed its name eight times…" 
That made me snicker.

Be that as it may…

The set is assembled chronologically, with the first 8 discs containing Muddy's songs in their most familiar mastering version, while disc 9 contains alternative takes.  All have very nice sonics, as Charly Records put a lot of time and effort into their "RED BOX" series.  It also has a 64-page booklet (included in the freeload—natch!) which gives a brief biography of Muddy and a complete sessionography of the recordings contained in the set.

I've seen this sealed copies of this set go for an asking price of more than $1,000 on eBay.  Of course, asking price and selling price are entirely two different things.  Here on 'Cuz Babs Sez, That's Why', as always, you can return the unused portion of any freeload, and your money will be cheerfully refunded.

But seriously, folks, this is a true piece of American musical history.

For the freeload, what is your all-time favorite box set?