Search - James Cotton :: Live

Hard-to-find Cotton but essential Cotton!

J. Cohen | 09/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am so glad I bought this CD when I did--when the used prices weren't so ridiculous! This CD is some classic Chicago blues, presented in a way only James "Superharp" Cotton could. Any Cotton album naturally has high expectations, seeing how Cotton played with Muddy Waters for a number of years before pursuing his long and successful solo career, but this album is up there with Cotton's best studio effort, "100% Coton".



Some quick information:



* Recorded in July of 1987 at Antone's Night Club

* Cotton on harp and vocals, Matt "Guitar" Murphy on guitar, Luther Tucker on guitar, Calvin Jones on bass, Willie Smith on Drums, and the legendary Pinetop Perkins on piano.

* Produced by Antone's Records & Tapes



Even though James Cotton has had a spectacular solo career, this live album consists most of blues standards. Three of the songs come from Muddy (Blow Wind and Gone to Main Street by Muddy, Hoochie Coochie Man being a Dixon-penned Muddy classic). Also an additional three songs come from Little Walter (Juke, It Ain't Right, and Oh Baby). Those six songs out the way, we are left with two more: Eyesight to the Blind, a Sonny Boy Williamson tune, and Midnight Creeper, the only Cotton original on the album. All are unique in their own way like only James Cotton could do.



If you find this on ebay or in a used music store someplace, get it. If you don't like it, you can always resell it here to make a profit,"