Southbound Train

Muddy Waters covers a song by his mentor, Big Bill Broonzy, backed by the legendary Little Walter on harmonica and Big Crawford on bass. The train has always been the ultimate symbol of escape and sorrow in the blues, representing both freedom and the loss of a loved one leaving town. Little Walter's amplified harmonica mimics the wail of a train whistle, a stylistic trick he perfected, providing an eerie, metallic counterpart to Muddy's deep, booming vocal on this heavy Chicago shuffle.