In 1952, at the age of seventeen, blues harpist James Cotton caught the attention of Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records, and soon began recording with the legendary Howlin' Wolf. Through his subsequent work with Muddy Waters and his own bands, James has remained one of the brightest stars in the blues firmament ever since. These classic sides from the 'eighties that James produced himself won a Grammy nomination when they were originally issued. They have been carefully remastered and are presented here in glorious analog audiophile fidelity.
G**Z
The real deal
This album is great! It has all the real deal guys. They recorded the basics in Chicago and Nick Gravenites brought James to Prune Studios in Mill Valley California to mix.I was mixing and it was a real privilege. We don’t do that style of authentic Chicago blues out here and a lot of those heartfelt riffs will reside eternally in my soul!
B**N
All Star sidemen and vintage Cotton make this a must have
Totally ignore the "guide to Blues cd's" review of this cd. They are probably bigger fans of J. Lo than any authority on Blues. At least as far as this disc is concerned. This is not Cotton at his very best, but he is not laying down either. My personal fave of his is "Live at Antones". What makes this disc a must have is his choice of sidemen. This is a who's who of Chicago blues greats, most of whom are, like Cotton, former Muddy Water's alumni. On piano is the superlative Pinetop Perkins. On guitars, a rare appearance on disc by my favorite of Muddy's guitarists, Sammy Lawhorn. His "thunder" sounds on the version of Cloud's in my Heart make this disc worth 10 times the price alone. His untouchable vibrato is joined by John Primer who has become one of the top traditional blues artists in his own right. Cotton's take on "Take out some Insurance" is another masterpiece. His version of Otis Spann's Country girl is both heartfelt and hilarious. Another veteran, Sam Lay is on drums. This is an all star jam that is not to be missed.
B**E
Another Great Blind Pig Release
This is a great album with a bunch of friends coming together to have a good time. I am a big fan of any Blind Pig Records; so much so that if I see one of their releases I get it. Never have I been disappointed. They seem to be a record company that the musicians like and it comes out in the quality of their releases.
E**.
Took me back, way back
I'm retired and enjoying my senior years. Heard "My Babe" playing and didn't know the artist name but remembered the song - Jimmy Cotton my friend told me. The songs here took me back to the days of picnic parties with the men folk telling tall stories and jesting, woman folk talking about whatever woman folk talk about and us youngins playing with the sweet smell of BBQ and Blues songs filling the air. To have in one album the classics of "My Babe", "Well I Done Got Over It," "Clouds In My Heart," "Take Me Back," "Honest I Do," "Take Out Some Insurance" "Dust My Broom" is sensational. "Killing Floor" and "Hungry Country Girl" are not familiar so the jury is still out. but for me the rest of the songs by themselves are each worth the cost of this album.
M**M
Forget so-called Blues Guide...
Who are those people? They know nothing! Listen to Bob Condone! This album is among the best ever released by the James Cotton band! This is well-spent money, and as a bonus there's this one song... Hungry Country Girl... lancinating guitar, great singing, and listen to the lyrics, you won't regret it!
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
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