Red Mud is an album by the American musician Chris Thomas King, released in 1998.[1][2] King supported the album with a North American tour.[3]Red Mud was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for "Acoustic Blues Album of the Year".[4] King promoted the album on NPR, where he was heard by the casting director of O Brother, Where Art Thou?[5]
King decided to make an acoustic blues album after his former label, Scotti Bros., was sold.[6] His father, Tabby Thomas, sang on the cover of his song "Hoodoo Party" and duetted with King on "Bus Station Blues".[7][8] "Rambling on My Mind" and "Come On in My Kitchen" are versions of the Robert Johnson songs.[9] "Death Letter Blues" was written by Son House.[10] King played a dobro or resonator guitar on many of the tracks and used sampled strings on a few.[11][12] "Wanna Die with a Smile on My Face" is a rerecording of an earlier King song.[13] The title track is about a man contemplating marriage to a twice-married woman.[14] King employed hip hop vocalizing on "Alive".[15]
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote that "fans of traditional blues should appreciate King's talents in interpreting the music, and his innovative efforts to stretch its limits."[9]The Age praised the "compelling, resonant vocals and intricate guitar work."[16]The Record said that "King tackles straight-ahead acoustic blues with power and vision."[18]The Washington Post opined that "his latest style has seemed more a coat he's just trying on than a jacket he's lived in long enough to wear comfortably."[13]The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that "King brings a quiet authority to this style of music."[17]
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