Cotton, Was my first harp teacher. And a very close family friend. He had known my mother Doris, since her girlhood. When my dad suddenly died in 59.and things got tough. Cotton bought heating oil for us. And groceries. I loved him so very very much. Cotton was so kind. There isn't a day that I don't think about him. He was everything to me. God Bless The Dead. James Henry Cotton. My friend My Mentor, My Teacher.....!!
All musicians, not just harp players, can learn from James in this great, great video. Of course he has that inimitable tone, the great warble/tremelo, instantly recognizable licks, wonderful phrasing, all that. But what makes him truly great is that he knows when NOT to play. He is an expert at using pauses, silence, giving us the white spaces, thus immeasurably adding to the drama and impact and soul. Here's to you, Mr. Rocket 88!
Of course Cotton was a link in the chain of the tradition of the great masters of the instrument...He learned directly from them.....My comment was a comparison to him and the modern players...I think the only two left who learn directly from the great players of the past are Charlie Musselwhite and Billy Branch .
Saw the great James Cotton many times in small clubs and there's no one who can rock a harp any better. He's older and slower now but still the man!
10 лет назад
James Cotton: 7/1/1935 - A legend of the Chicago blues, this harmonica virtuoso, bandleader, and singer-songwriter made a name for himself backing some of the biggest names in the business before blazing his own path. Mentored at a very young age by harpist extraordinaire Sonny Boy Williamson II, his first venture into professional musicianship found him backing the towering Howlin’ Wolf in the early 50′s. In 1954 Cotton was personally asked by Muddy Waters to join his backing band, where he would remain and contribute his exemplary skills for twelve years. In 1967 he set out on his own to begin what would become his own acclaimed and successful forty-plus year career, which he continues to tour and record for to this day. Cotton earned himself the nickname “Superharp” for his relentless performances and mighty powerful skills as a blues harpist.
James Cotton put on one of the best shows ever in the mid 1970s at the University of Alberta---he had an absolute stunning band--full horn section and the best funk-blues drumming and base player or the times. Always attempting to please the audience he is a man with a deep soul for the blues------another great who has worked hard all his life.
Had the great fortune of watching this guy play in '94 or '95 in San Diego. It was the best live performance I'd ever seen. As I remember it, me and my buddy were jumping out of our seats cheering this guy on. Phenomenal performer.
I met James in my living room as a child, and had no idea who he was. My old man is a harp player that toured with him on the Chicago blues review. I'm now 40 and spent years thinking the music Gene skipped me until I bought a gibson les paul and practice through a vintage fender showman tube amp that James took My dad to the woodshed with.
Back in ‘75 went to see Peter Frampton with Johnny Winter, James Cotton opened up…and even tho Peter Frampton was promoting his Comes Alive tour, I was blown away by The James Cotton Band…my introduction to the blues 👍
This is as good as the live performances by brother James that we were lucky enough to hear in the early 70's at 'Lennys on the Turnpike' on Rte. 95 in Danvers, (?) / Topsfield, Ma., and at 'Joe's Place' in Cambridge, Ma. .. just off of Central Square .. both small bars with small cocktail tables too close together and too many chairs .. but, we were all there to listen to the Blues and hot music .. Play the Blues James Cotton ! May you Rest in Peace.
Sometimes harmonica players get so caught up in technique,that they forget about "soul".Myself included.This video is a good lesson.Cotton had as much soul as you could.
James Cotton story... Long ago in the way back, went to see Cotton at My Father's Place on Long Island. Before the show, a friend grabbed me to the bar saying, "C'mon. You're gonna play for James Cotton!" And there he was, sippin' some Jack. Some other guy was standing next to him looking kind of sour. Cotton looked at me and said, "Let's see what ya got." I took out my Blues Harp and played a riff. James flashed a wide smile. This other guy says, "Too much Paul Butterfield," as if that wasn't a compliment in itself. I said, "Not THAT familiar with Butterfield, actually." Cotton laughed and bought me a shot.
Sounds like he was likely identifying your style of playing, lip pursing vs tongue blocking. Butterfield is a lip purser, cotton is not. Of course musicians typically mix styles to get what they want, but a typical 12 bar blues sounds different between the two different styles.
I did something similar backstage with Muddy Waters. Pulled out my harp and played a few riffs and Muddy smiled and said, "You got it!" Most people don't know that Muddy started off playing harp and only later picked up the guitar, but I do, and now you do, too. Anyway, once Muddy told me that, I never looked back.
James Cotton is without a doubt a master of the blues. His bands are always the best. His feel for the dynamics and sodalities of the blues are the very best. This video shows his mastering of the harp and feeling and fun. Check it out; the drummer is having a great time along with Cotton. This brings me back to the best Cotton days. Live On Mr. Supperharp
I was blessed to see this man do his thing at the Sotillie Theater in Charleston round 1989 or 1990. He did this amazing stacatto thing with his harmonica where he whipped it back and forth out of his mouth in rapid secession that I have never seen or heard before or since. A true master. Tunica County Mississippi's gift to the world!
R.I.P. James Cotton. We've lost another great one: JAMES HENRY COTTON (July 1, 1935 - March 16, 2017) was an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time and with his own band. He played drums early in his career but is famous for his harmonica playing. Cotton began his professional career playing the blues harp in Howlin' Wolf's band in the early 1950s. He made his first recordings in Memphis for Sun Records, under the direction of Sam Phillips. In 1955, he was recruited by Muddy Waters to come to Chicago and join his band. Cotton became Waters's bandleader and stayed with the group until 1965. In 1965 he formed the Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet, with Otis Spann on piano, to record between gigs with Waters's band. He eventually left Waters to form his own full-time touring group. His first full album, on Verve Records, was produced by guitarist Mike Bloomfield and vocalist and songwriter Nick Gravenites, who later were members of the band Electric Flag. In the 1970s, Cotton played harmonica on Waters's Grammy Award-winning 1977 album Hard Again, produced by Johnny Winter. ~ Wikipedia
I miss Cotton . Each and every day, remaining in my life From my earliest, recollections Cotton was a big part of my life. He was very close friends with my dad. R. J. Tessier. And my Mother Doris F. Tessier. Had known Cotton, since her girlhood. Cotton, and Wolf were my foundation with Harp. And Wolf had known my Dad a mighty long time. Both in Arkansas . And in the Army. When my dad died , suddenly, and without warning in front of a 4 year old boy. That was me. Robert Lockwood jr. And My beloved Sunnyland Slim, and Eddie Taylor and Cotton, and Luther Tucker. Stepped up . To help my family. My mom suffered in hospital. Wolf and my beloved Adopted Uncle Hubert Sumlin. Took charge of me. Later Robert Lockwood Jr. And his beloved Anne Lockwood, took me under their wings. They loved me, as if I were their own child. How much I miss Mama, Anne Lockwood. And Robert Jr. Lockwood. I called him Daddy Robert. He called me, his son. They were so very very good, and loving, and kind to me. God bless their eternal souls.....!!
I first saw Mr. Cotton as an opening act for The Who at Fillmore West in August 1968. He was great of course and I remember he did a somersault on the stage while playing. I saw him a couple of more times after that but once was not a good experience. He was too loaded to play or sing and I left the club immediately as I wanted to always have a good memory of his playing and spirit. Saw him once more after that and he appeared to be clean, but was very overweight. He was a marvelous harp player and so underappreciated by those who don't know the blues. I still have his first LP from I think 1967.
@@arcangelo2112 QUE TREMENDO HONOR CONOCER A ALGUIEN QUE COMPARTE UNA DE LAS PASIONES MAS GRANDES pARA MI Te recomiendo, HOWING WOLF- BACK DOOR MAN ... Y SOBRE TODO ESTA JOYA DE BLUES Q SE LLAMA: INDIANA
Saw Mr Cotton many times at the Checkerboard Lounge in the late 70s early 80s. One night my friend and I, naive Okie freshmen at the University of Chicago, decided to take public trans to the Checkerboard. 55th St bus to the Dan Ryan El, get off at 45th and walk... which way do we walk? We walked the wrong direction and some youths we encountered did not like the color of our skin and started throwing bottles at us. A bus pulled up to us right then and the bus driver, a wonderful black man, said "what are you two white boys doing in this neighborhood at this time of night. Get in." Our wonderful bus driver lectured us on personal safety and dropped us off directly in front of the Checkerboard (not a bus stop) and told his to make sure to take a cab home. We went in, saw Buddy and James. What amazing music! After the show, a really drunk Buddy Guy said "you boys are from Hyde Park, right?" He offered us a ride (he lived in Southshore), James behind Buddy shaking his head no, which we politely declined and took a cab home. "Bliss it was to be alive that dawn, but to be young was very heaven." I am happy to have been that naive white boy and happy to have seen James Cotton.
how could anybody dislike this or the blues period i swear some people are just closed minded when it comes too real music there scared to hear something cause it's new to them that's all it is and never gave it the time of day ..
Every single one of those is an accident. Imagine how many drunks are watching this right now thinking “I’m definitely giving this the thumbs up.” Gotta account for human error. The only other explanation would be some lab training chimps how to RU-vid which would also count as an accident. I refuse to believe anybody man or chimp would dislike this
I have been playing since I was 11 years old me uncles all played and my father taught me how. I been playing 50+ years. Been away a while but since my baby left me. after 20 years I have picked it up again. The best I ever heard it said was. BLUES is just a good man feeling bad.
Woooahhhhhh... This is truly truly incredible. This has gotta be the best full band interpretation of the blues I've ever seen in my life and it doesn't even have 1 lyric. Truly amazing musicianship!
being a singer and a basic harp player, I can only say this is how I feel when I play the harp with my lads, not as good though but good enough to comprehend his emotions while playing and the anticipation, the thrill of your own creation and contribution to the concert--amazing
MAN!!! music is a universal language we may not all speak the same language, but everyone can here and understand where this is coming from and everyone understands how this feels, i love the blues it is true from the heart and no one can stop it once it starts to flow
One of the best blues harmonica performances ever! He played it hard, and loud, and with more feel than anyone else. Every time my harp teacher tells me to ply softer, I respond with, “But James Cotton…” Often emulated, never duplicated. A true legend of his craft.
Saw him in Kansas City once. His live show is great. The guy sweats like a mf, though! He was wearing that same blue shirt, and it was soaked thru. He really puts it all out there for ya'.
