The project originated when guitarist Mike Bloomfield and harmonica player Paul Butterfield expressed their desire to record with Waters while in Chicago for a charity concert. Producer Norman Dayron curated a list of approximately 20 classic Waters tunes for the sessions, creating a "party atmosphere" in the studio complete with beer for the band and champagne for Muddy. The album is uniquely structured into two distinct halves:
: Captured on April 24, 1969, at the Super Cosmic Joy-Scout Jamboree held at Chicago's Auditorium Theater. The All-Star Lineup Muddy Waters -Fathers and Sons
: Recorded April 21–23, 1969, at Ter Mar Studios in Chicago. The project originated when guitarist Mike Bloomfield and