James Cotton - Rocks (CD)

EU collection. The harmonica as a lead instrument for rock and roll! Yeah, sure, why not? Especially when the mouth harp is wielded by James Cotton, the man who grew up with blues giants during the formative years of rock 'n' roll and went on to have one of the first R&B bands to play on the white rock festival circuit. Cotton - one of the most celebrated figures in the world of blues harmonica - was also a rock 'n' roll man. For that reason, this is one of the most significant discs in our 'Rocks' series. Growing up in a world where rock heroes, and most blues heroes, were singers, guitar players, sometimes piano players, maybe sax men, Cotton said he modelled his harp playing on the saxophone parts in rhythm and blues and jazz. He was championed by rock bands as both an influence and a comrade in the electric blues-rock years. The 'Chicago Tribune' reviewed his harp playing as gritty, gutsy, ferociously uninhibited, and what great harp work is all about. This CD of superfine music shows where the blues came from and where R&B and rock 'n' roll took it. The tracks are full of invigorating harp riffs and solos but they also contain excellent vocal performances by James Cotton himself and by his one-time boss, Muddy Waters.

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. My Baby
2. Rocket 88
3. Hold Me In Your Arms
4. Don't Start Me To Talkin'
5. Feelin' Good
6. Straighten Up Baby
7. Cotton Crop Blues
8. She's Got It
9. Rock Me (All Night Long)
10. Rock Me Mama
11. You Don't Have To Go
12. Off The Wall
13. Short Dress Woman
14. Oh Why? (I Need You So Bad)
15. Take Your Hands Off Her
16. I Won't Go On
17. Jimmy's Jump
18. Meanest Woman
19. Lovin' Cup
20. Elevate Me Mama
21. Three Harp Boogie
22. I Feel So Good
23. Honest I Do
24. Love Me Or Leave Me
25. My Dog Can't Bark
26. Next Time You See Me
27. Cotton Crop Blues