The cover photograph of
Muddy Waters
holding
John Lee Hooker
's guitar gave the impression that he was at a folk festival rather than the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival. However, the record revealed the King of Chicago blues at his very best, shouting his music above the discordant wail of a band that included
Otis Spann
,
James Cotton
Pat Hare
, and
Francis Clay
. Film of the event shows a sharply dressed
Waters
shimmying and jiving around the stage with the energy of a man half his age. Some of that atmosphere is apparent on the record, in a program that includes "Hoochie Coochie Man,"
Big Bill Broonzy
's "I Feel So Good," then-recent singles "I Got My Brand on You" and "Soon Forgotten," and a massive "Got My Mojo Working." The set ends in poignant mood with the announcement of the end of the festival and
's improvised "Goodbye Newport Blues." ~ Rovi Staff