JAMES COTTON

Giant

Alligator Records

By Dawn O’Keefe Williams

James Cotton’s new CD Giant on Alligator Records is appropriately titled, as the giant sound of Cotton’s harp is the first note to greet you on the cut “Buried Alive InThe Blues”.  This Nick Gravenites chestnut  is an up-tempo straight ahead Chicago style blues that simply grabs you. The rhythm section is solid and Slam Allen’s rich vocals go right to the heart of the groove. Throughout the song, Cotton skillfully plays fills and accents between Allen’s vocal phrases.  His solo is simple, yet strong, with almost a sense of urgency to it. 

This CD is co-produced by James Cotton, Jacklyn Hairston and Derek O’Brien and features all of the styles for which Cotton is known.  With the talents of Stuart Sullivan at Wire Recording in Austin, Texas,  they managed to encompass his rich musical history and display it in this CD.   Giant gives not only a variety of harp styles but a variety of blues as well.  On this landmark CD, you will hear originals, covers, traditional and gut bucket blues, shuffles, funk and slow blues --all delivered in a finely honed recording with Cotton’s top-notch band featuring Slam Allen (vocals and guitar), Tom Holland (vocals and guitar), Noel Neal on bass and Kenny Neal, Jr. on drums.  In fact, one cut offers a different twist --“Heard You’re Getting Married,” written by Cotton and Allen, is a slow blues but the drums and bass give it an upbeat feel.  Cotton plays the introduction and then strategically places single notes and harmonies throughout the song.  His solo has some vibrato and sounds almost human in its vocal-like inflections.  This is quite an impressive piece.

“Sad, Sad Day,” a cover written by Muddy Waters, features one of Chicago’s own, guitarist Tom Holland, who sings on this cut.  His skill on slide featured in this song brings a tone that grips you.  And Cotton’s solo, at first, plays like he is crying; the harp master then counters with gentle melodies and trills; then he shifts gears into emotional expression via the harp that fits this song so well.

“Find Yourself Another Fool” is an upbeat tune where Cotton displays his talent by reaching from one extreme to another. His solo is full-bodied and then hits single notes, octaves and the distinctive high, piercing notes that show his diversity and skill with his harp. 

 Dubbed “Mr. Superharp,” Cotton’s own history comes in full circle with Alligator Records.  Celebrating his 66^th year as a musician, his accomplishments include a litany of  musical awards stemming from 1981 to present, 30 solo albums, a Grammy Award and four Grammy nominations (one of which was for his Alligator CD High Compression in ’84).   Now he has returned to Alligator to create this remarkable CD, Giant.  

Cotton’s life is also filled with “giant” accomplishments. At the tender age of nine he was mentored by the legendary Sonny Boy Williamson, who was impressed with the young boy’s talent.  Cotton would play his harp for tips outside the juke joints while Sonny Boy played inside.  At 17, Cotton hosted a radio show on KWEM while gigging with his own band in Memphis.  During those young years, he was recorded by Sun Records which released such songs as “Cotton Crop Blues” among others.  Soon after he relocated to Chicago, began playing for Muddy Waters for over a decade and then became the leader of Muddy’s band.  You can hear Cotton on Muddy’s recordings for Chess, “She’s 19 Years Old” and “Close To You.”  Cotton was also instrumental in having Waters perform and record the now classic “Got My Mojo Working”.  The harp master later recorded for several other labels and then joined Alligator in 1984.  Alligator released High Compression and Live From Chicago: Mr. Superharp Himself.

            The 1960s brought more recordings with various labels. His relentless touring had the hippie generation accepting him as one of their own as he performed on stage with Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Santana, The Grateful Dead and more on famed stages such as the Fillmore East in New York and Fillmore West in San Francisco.  Cotton guested on Muddy’s recording Hard Again (produced by Johnny Winter) and on Koko Taylor’s recordings, along with many other musicians who also starred on his cuts, such as Steve Miller and Johnny Winter.

Giant is dedicated to the memory of Koko Taylor.  The last song “Blues for Koko” is a moving instrumental where Cotton gives it his all.  Giant is a remarkable work of art that encompasses the soul and grit of the blues.  This would enhance any blues lover’s collection and is definitely recommended.

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