Got My Mojo Working,’ Muddy Waters’ rousing signature tune and set-closer for years, and a standard in countless blues band repertoires, surprisingly enough was never a hit single for Muddy. He first recorded it in January 1957 after hearing the little-known original version sung by Ann Cole while the two were touring on the same bill. Muddy immediately cut it as a single for Chess (release number 1652), but it failed to hit the charts. The two-part rendition that secured the song’s renown was on the groundbreaking LP Muddy recorded live at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1960. One part was issued on a single in 1960 but again, it received little attention as a 45. The only 45 of ‘Got My Mojo Working’ to reach the Billboard charts was a 1966 rendering by jazz organist Jimmy Smith.
Muddy Waters, vocal, with James Cotton, harmonica; Pat Hare, guitar; Otis Spann, piano; Andrew Stephens, bass; Francis Clay, drums. Recorded July 3, 1960, Newport, Rhode Island. Released on the album Muddy Waters At Newport 1960, Chess LP 1449; and on Chess single 1774, ‘Got My Mojo Working Pt. 1.’
— Jim O’Neal