a Discography of Solo / Band Recordings of JAMES COTTON"SUPERHARP" In 1952, at the age of 17, 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.
1950's Solo/Own Band Compilations w/Other Bands Bootlegs	1960's Solo/Own Band Compilations w/Other Bands Bootlegs	1970's Solo/Own Band Compilations w/Other Bands Bootlegs	1980's Solo/Own Band Compilations w/Other Bands Bootlegs	1990's Solo/Own Band Compilations w/Other Bands Bootlegs	2000's Solo/Own Band Compilations w/Other Bands Bootlegs
SOLO & WITH THE JAMES COTTON BAND
James Cotton My Baby Release Date: 1954 Label: Sun Record Company (Sun 199) Type: 78/45 rpm single - My Baby (U98) - Straighten Up Baby (U99) Recorded December 7, 1953, SUN studio, 706 Union, Memphis Tennessee. James Cotton (vcl); Pat Hare (gtr); Kenneth Banks (bs); Houston Stokes (dms); Billy Love (pno); Harvey Simmon (tnr sax); Tom Roane (sax). Early mis-print label and corrected version depicted. ranked #264 for 1954. (also available as an early 1970's repressing)
James Cotton Cotton Crop Blues Release Date: 1954 Label: Sun Record Company (Sun 206) Type: 78/45 rpm single - Cotton Crop Blues (U120) - Hold Me In Your Arms (U121) rec. May 14, 1954 in Memphis; James Cotton, vocals Mose Vinson, piano Pat Hare, guitar John Bowers, drums Cotton incorrectly remembered recording "Cotton Crop Blues" before ""My Baby" when interviewed by PBS American Roots Music oral histories (LINK)
Jimmy Cotton Chris Barber presents Jimmy Cotton Release Date: 1962 (United Kingdom) Label: COLUMBIA SEG 8141 (p/s)  Type: 33 rpm EP Titles: Dealing With The Devil / Standing Around Crying / Slow And Easy / Rock Me Mama
Jimmy Cotton Chris Barber presents Jimmy Cotton - 2 Release Date: 1962 (United Kingdom) Label: COLUMBIA SEG 8189 (p/s) Type: 33 rpm EP Titles: Jimmy's Jump / Decoration Day Blues / Polly Put The Kettle On / Goin' Down Slow
James Cotton Complete This Order Release Date: 1966 Label: Loma Records (Loma 2042) Type: 45 rpm single Title: Complete This Order Time: 2.07. Catalogue: JX70101. Writers: James Oden. BMI. Alstein Music & Pub. Co. Title: Laying in the Weeds Time: 2:20. Catalogue: JX70102. Writers: James Cotton. BMI. Alstein Music & Pub. Co. Released on Loma in May 1966, this record marks a significant turning point in the life of James Cotton as it was his first solo outing after serving eight years with Muddy Waters at Chess. LOMA SITE Was re-released in the United Kingdom in the 1960's in the compilation entitled "Blue - Chicago Style" by Python Records (possibly an unauthorised release)
James Cotton Blues Band Good Time Charlie / Off The Wall Release Date: 1967 Label: VERVE FORECAST 5053  Type: 45 rpm single Title: Good Time Charlie Title: Off The Wall Paul Serrano (tp) Louis Satterfield, John Watson (tb) James Barge (ts) McKinley Easton, Delbert Hill (bars) James Cotton (hca, vo) Alberto Gianquinto (p) Luther Tucker (g) Ron Anderson (el-b) Sam Lay (d) recorded: NYC, March 24, 1967 THE JAMES COTTON BLUES BAND, MADE IN CANADA, 45 RPM MANUFACTURED BY MGM RECORDS : DISTRIBUTED BY TRANS-WORLD RECORD CO. INC. TRACKS ARE   A-SIDE : GOOD TIME CHARLIE B-SIDE : OFF THE WALL Catalog : KF 5053 (Canada) 45 RPM
James Cotton Blues Band Feelin' Good / Don't Start Me Talkin' Release Date: 1967 Label: VERVE FORECAST 5066  Type: 45 rpm single Title: Feelin' Good Title: Don't Start Me Talkin' Paul Serrano (tp) Louis Satterfield, John Watson (tb) James Barge (ts) McKinley Easton, Delbert Hill (bars) James Cotton (hca, vo) Alberto Gianquinto (p) Luther Tucker (g) Ron Anderson (el-b) Sam Lay (d) recorded: NYC, March 24, 1967
James Cotton Blues Band Cut You Loose! Release Date: 1967 Label: VANGUARD VRS 9283 Type: 33 rpm album Running Time: 37:31 One of Cotton's earlier solo efforts. Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 River's Invitation (Mayfield) 2:41 2 Honest I Do (Reed, Abner) 2:49 3 Got to Get You off My Mind (Burke, Moore, Burke) 2:04 4 Coast Blues (Cotton, Talbert) 7:19 5 Next Time You See Me (Forest, Harvey) 2:47 6 Cut You Loose 2:54 7 Ain't Nobody's Business (Meaux, Taylor) 3:23 8 Set a Date (Memphis Minnie) 2:15 9 Slippin' and Slidin' (Little Richard, Smith, Bocage, Collins) 4:29 10 Negative 10-4 (Talbert) 6:50 (recorded in April 1968 at Coast Recording, San Francisco with Wayne Talbert's Melting Pot: Mike Fender:tp, Martin Fierro:ten.sax, Wayne Talbert:org/pno, James Cook:gtr, Eddie Adams:bs, Joe Rodriguez:dms) -- UK edition: Vanguard SVRL 19035, 1968/reissues: Vanguard VSD/VCD 79283/Universe CD 72, 2003 --
James Cotton Blues Band James Cotton Blues Band Release Date: 1967 Label: Verve Forecast/Smithsonian Folkways FT-/FTS-3023 Type: 33 rpm vinyl LP "Upbeat, soul-influenced mid-'60s work by Cotton's initial solo aggregation." Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Good Time Charlie (Caple, Malone) 2:41 2 Turn on Your Lovelight (Malone, Scott) 2:25 3 Something on Your Mind (McNeely) 3:47 4 Don't Start Me Talkin' (Williamson) 2:33 5 Jelly, Jelly (Cotton) 5:02 6 Off the Wall (Jacobs) 2:41 7 Feelin' Good Parker 3:12 8 Sweet Sixteen (King Josea) 5:35 9 Knock on Wood (Cropper, Floyd) 2:50 10 Oh Why (Malone) 2:15 11 Blues in My Sleep (Cotton) 5:19 (feat. James Cotton:vcl/hca, Luther Tucker:gtr, Alberto Gianguinto:pno, Robert Anderson:bs/bckgr.vcl, Samuel Lay:dms + James F. Barge:ten.sax, Delbert L. Hill:bar.sax, McKinley Easton:bar.sax, Paul Serrano:tp, John M. Watson:tb, Louis E. Saherfield:tb) -- German edition: Verve Forecast FVS 9507, 1968 --
James Cotton Blues Band Pure Cotton Release Date: 1968 Label: Verve Forecast/Smithsonian Folkways FTS-3038/FVS-9512 Type: 33 rpm vinyl LP A member of the Blues Hall of Fame and one of the greatest harmonica players the world has ever known, James 'Superharp' Cotton learned to play harmonica at an early age from none other than Sonny Boy Williamson. By the time he had reached the ripe old age of 17 he had already cut 4 songs for Sun Records and had his own radio show! Then in 1954 blues legend Muddy Waters famously offered him a spot in his band and Cotton went on to play with Muddy for 12 years. His first record as bandleader, however, was not released until 1967, on Verve. Pure Cotton, also on Verve, was released the following year and here Cotton, age 33, finally gets a chance to stretch out and be himself (meaning, he gets down and dirty and plays that harp like his ass was on fire, sometimes even blowing the keys out of the instrument)! Lilith Records. 2007. Tracks: Title 1 Soul Survivor 2:26 2 I Remember 3:42 3 Worried Life Blues 3:03 4 Fallin' Rain 4:18 5 Heart Attack 4:18 6 Lovin' Cup 2:52 7 She's Murder 2:27 8 Somthin' You Got 3:21 9 Who's Afraid of Little Red Riding Hood? 3:35 10 Creeper 6:02 11 Down at Your Buryin' 3:47 (recorded in New York, February 20, 1968, feat. James Cotton:vcl/hca, Alberto Gianquinto:vcl*/org/pno, Luther Tucker:vcl**/gtr, Bob Anderson:vcl***/bs, Francis Clay:dms) Artwork By [Art Direction] - David Krieger Bass - Robert Anderson Drums - Francis Clay Engineer [Director] - Val Valentin Guitar - Luther Tucker Harmonica, Vocals - James Cotton Keyboards - Alberto Gianquinto Other [Advice And Enthusiasm] - Michael Bloomfield Photography [Cover] - Todd Cazaux Photography [Liner] - Daniel Kramer (2) Producer - John Court Read By [Storytelling] - Alberto Gianquinto (tracks: B3) Tambourine - John Court Vocals - Luther Tucker (tracks: A4) , Robert Anderson (tracks: B2) Manufactured by MGM Records Division; Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Inc., 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019
James Cotton Blues Band Cotton in Your Ears Release Date: 1968 Label: Verve Forecast/Smithsonian Folkways FTS-3060 Recorded: October, 1968 in New York City Type: 33 rpm vinyl LP Tracks: Title 1 Motorized Blues 2 (Please) Tell Me Partner 3 Back to St. Louis 4 Duke Patrol 5 I Can't Live Without You 6 Coach's Better Days 7 Mule 8 Take Your Hands Off Her 9 With You on My Mind 10 Take Me by the Hand (recorded in New York, October 7-11, 1968, feat. James Cotton:vcl/hca, Luther Tucker:gtr/vcl, Bill Nugent:ten.sax, Joe Newman:tp, Garrett Brown:tb, Mark Naftalin:pno, Bob Anderson:bs, Barry Smith:dms) Arranged By, Producer - Elliot Mazer , Michael Bloomfield* Artwork By [Art Direction] - Dick Smith Artwork By [Cover Art] - David Wilcox Bass - Bob Anderson Drums - Barry Smith* Engineer [Assistant] - Donald Manns Engineer [Director] - Val Valentin Engineer [Recording] - Bill Blachly Guitar - Luther Tucker Other [Coach] - Gordon Kennerly Photography [Liner Photos] - Elliott Landy , Todd Cazaux Piano - Mark Naftalin Saxophone [Tenor] - Bill "Stumuk" Nugent* Trombone - Garnett Brown Trumpet - Joe Newman Vocals - Luther Tucker (tracks: A4, B1) Vocals, Harmonica - James Cotton
James Cotton Blues Band The Coach's Better Days / The Mule Release Date: 1969 Label: VERVE FORECAST #KF 5107  Type: 45 rpm single Side A: The Coach's Better Days (instrumental) (105691) Side B: The Mule (105692) James Cotton (hca, vo) Mark Naftalin (p, org) Mike Bloomfield, Luther Tucker (g) Robert Anderson (el-b) Francis Clay (d) unidentified tp, tb, sax NYC, December 17, 1968
James Cotton Blues Band Taking Care of Business Release Date: 1970 Label: Capitol (Capitol SM-814) (reiss SM-814) Type: Vinyl, LP, Album Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Sky Is Falling (Kortchmar) 2 Long Distance Operator (Dylan) 3 I'm a Free Man (Klingman) 4 Can't Live Without Love (Vito, Valente) 5 Kiddie Boy (Rundgren) 6 She Moves Me (Waters) 7 Tonight I Wanna Love Me a Stranger (Rundgren, Klingman) 8 Nose Open (Murphy) 9 Goodbye My Lady (Rundgren, Klingman) 10 Georgia Swing (Bloomfield) Producer: Todd Rundgren and Mark Moogy Klingman Recorded: I.D Sound Studio, Los Angeles.
James Cotton Blues Band 100% Cotton Release Date: 1974 Label: BUDDAH BDS-5620 The ebullient, roly-poly Chicago harp wizard was at his zenith in 1974, when this cooking album was issued on Buddah. Matt "Guitar" Murphy matched Cotton note for zealous note back then, leading to fireworks aplenty on the non-stop "Boogie Thing," a driving "How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong," and the fastest "Rocket 88" you'll ever take a spin in. Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Boogie Thing (Murphy) 3:21 2 One More Mile (Cotton) 2:39 3 All Walks of Life (Cotton) 2:28 4 Creepers Creeps Again (Cotton) 6:57 5 Rocket 88 (Brenston) 2:33 6 How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong (Cotton) 4:07 7 I Don T Know (Mabon) 2:49 8 Burner (Murphy) 3:49 9 'Fatuation (Cotton, Cotton) 3:30 10 Fever (Cooley, Davenport) 5:12 Credits: Al Dotoli, Producer; Little Bo, Saxophone; Kenny Johnson, Drums; Milton Sincoff, Packaging; Charles Calmese, Bass; Phil Jekanowski, Piano; Ken Johnson, Drums; Lenny King, Saxophone; Little Bo Bitch, Saxophone; James Cotton, Harmonica, Arranger, Vocals, Main Performer; Matt"Guitar" Murphy, Guitar, Arranger (Billboard #146) -- reissues: P-Vine PLP-7001, 19?? JAP/One Way CD 27670, 1993 US/Kama Sutra CD 5620, 1994 US/Sequel NEX 214, 1994 UK/Universe CD 98, 2004 --
James Cotton Band Fever / Boogie Thing Release Date: 1975 Label: BUDDAH 461 Type: 45 rpm single TITLES:  "Fever"  bw  "Boogie Thing" SONG CREDITS:   E. Cooley - J. Davenport  bw  M. Murphy
James Cotton Band Rocket 88 / One More Mile Release Date: 1975 Label: BUDDAH 468 Type: 45 rpm single Title: Rocket 88 Title: One More Mile ALSO: promo version with Rockett 88 (sic) on both sides in mono and stereo,
James Cotton Blues Band High Energy Release Date: 1975 Label: Buddah BDS-5650/BDLP-4048 Type: Vinyl, LP Shipping Cotton off to New Orleans during the mid-'70s to work with producer Allen Toussaint wasn't a good idea at all. The end result can for the most part be described as disco blues with a Crescent City funk tinge, without much to recommend it on any level. Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Hot 'N Cold (Toussaint) 3:04 2 Chicken Heads (Rush, Carter) 4:02 3 Hard Time Blues (Toussaint) 4:08 4 I Got a Feelin' (Cotton) 5:11 5 Weather Report (The Weather Man Said) (Bolden, Quezergue) 4:54 6 Keep Cooking Mama (Charles) 4:50 7 Fannie Mae (Brown, Robinson) 3:55 8 Caldonia (Cotton) 3:42 9 Rock 'N Roll Music (Ain't Nothing New) (Murphy) 5:12 10 James' Theme (Bolden, Quezergue, Sehorn) 3:44 -- reissues: One Way CD 27671, 1993 US/Kama Sutra CD 5650, 1994 US/Sequel NEX 223, 1994 UK/Universe CD 106, 2004 --
James Cotton Blues Band Live & On the Move Release Date: 1976 (cd release 1992) Label: Buddah Records, GRT 83205661H BDS-5661 / NEM (Sequel NEM CD 865) Type: 8-Track Cartridge, Double Album, 33 rpm album 2-LP, gatefold sleeve, Originally released on two vinyl platters in 1976 by Buddah, this set was digitally unleashed anew by the British Sequel label. It faithfully captures the boogie-burning capabilities of the mid-'70s Cotton outfit, fired by its leader's incendiary harp wizardry and Murphy's scintillating licks. Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer 1 Cotton Boogie (Cotton) 2 One More Mile (Cotton) 3 All Walks of Life (Cotton) 4 Born in Missouri (Cobb) 5 Flip Flop and Fly (Calhoun, Turner) 6 Mojo 7 Rocket 88 (Brenston) 8 Goodbye My Lady (Rundgren, Klingman) 9 I Don't Know (Mabon) 10 Caldonia (Cotton) 11 Boogie Thing (Murphy) 12 Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (Williamson) 13 Oh Baby, You Don't Have to Go 14 Help Me (Watson) 15 Hot 'N Cold (Toussaint) 16 Teeny Weeny Bit (Whitcomb) 17 Blow Wind Blow (Morganfield, Waters) 18 How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong (Cotton) Other Releases: Live & On the Move [Bonus Track] Release Date: 2003 Label: Universe -- reissues: Carosello 2-LP 2028/29/Buddah BRP 2029, 1986 ?/One Way CD 24835, 1993 US/Kama Sutra CD 5661, 1994 US/Sequel NEX 123, 1994 UK/Sequel CD 865, 2000 UK/Universe CD 77, 2003 [with bonus track: "Next Time You See Me"] --
The James Cotton Band Rock'n'Roll Music (Ain't Nothing New) / Help Me Release Date: 1978 (United Kingdom) Label: PYE/BUDDAH BDS 471 Type: 45 rpm single Title: Rock'n'Roll Music (Ain't Nothing New) Title: Help Me
James Cotton Part Time Love / Here I Am (Knocking At Your Door) Release Date: 1982 Label: BACKROOM U-86454 Type: 45 rpm single Title: Part Time Love (Bo Bo Music) Title: Here I Am (knocking at your door)
James Cotton Blues Band Live & On the Move Release Date: 1982 (Italy) Label: BUDDAH/CAROSELLO BRP 2029 Type: 33 rpm album Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Boogie Thing (Murphy) 2 Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (Williamson) 3 Oh Baby, You Don't Have to Go 4 Help Me (Watson) 5 Hot 'N Cold (Toussaint) 6 Teeny Weeny Bit (Whitcomb) 7 Blow Wind Blow (Morganfield, Waters) 8 How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong (Cotton)
James Cotton My Foundation Release Date: 1983 (Canada) Label: JACKAL WOW-720 Type: 33 rpm album Tracks: My Babe Well, I Done Got Over It Clouds In My Heart Take Me Back Honest I Do Take Out Some Insurance Killing Floor Dust My Broom Hungry Country Girl (recorded in Chicago in August 1980) -- reissue: Blind Pig BP-2587/CD BP-72587, 1988 US (as JAMES COTTON: TAKE ME BACK)--
James Cotton Blues Band High Compression Release Date: 1984 Label: ALLIGATOR AL/ALCD 4737 Running Time: 39:15 Nominated for a Grammy in 1984 This is the best contemporary James Cotton album gracing the shelves, thanks to its ingenious formatting: half the set places Cotton in a traditional setting beside guitarist Magic Slim, pianist Pinetop Perkins, and a solid rhythm section; the other half pairs him with a contemporary combo featuring guitarist Michael Coleman's swift licks and a three-piece horn section. Both combinations click on all burners. High Compression includes the scorching theme song "Superharp." Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Diggin' My Potatoes (Washboard Sam, Sunny Joe) 3:39 2 Ying Yang 3:39 3 23 Hours Too Long (Boyd) 6:22 4 No More Doggin' (Gordon, Taub) 2:31 5 No Cuttin' Loose (Moore) [1] 3:22 6 Ain't Doin' Too Bad 3:38 7 Sunny Road Blues (Sykes) 5:00 8 Superharp (Cotton, Williams) 3:46 9 Easy Loving 4:37 10 High Compression (Cotton) 2:41 THE JAMES COTTON CHICAGO BLUES ALL-STARS: JAMES COTTON, Harmonica & Vocals MAGIC SLIM, Guitar PINETOP PERKINS Piano ARON BURTON, Bass ROBERT COVINGTON, Drums THE JAMES COTTON BAND: JAMES COTTON, Harmonica & Vocals MICHAEL COLEMAN, Guitar EDDIE HARSCH, Keyboards DOUGLAS FAGEN, Tenor Sax NOEL NEAL, Bass RAY ALLISON, Drums With DANNY FIELDS, Trumpet JOHNNY COTTON, Trombone Arranged by James Cotton & Michael Coleman Horns arranged by Douglas Fagen Produced by Bruce Iglauer & James Cotton Recorded at Streeterville Studios, Chicago Engineered & mixed by Justin Niebank Cover photos by Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve Cover design by Chris Garland, XENO -- UK edition: Sonet SNTF 928, 1984/Japanese edition: Vivid Sound VS-1052, 1985 --
James Cotton and his Big Band Live from Chicago Mr. Superharp Himself Release Date: 1986 (CD 06/29/1988) Label: Alligator Recrods AL/ALCD 4746 Running Time: 38:52 Type: Vinyl, LP "Live collection taped at a Chicago nightspot called Biddy Mulligan's." Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Here I Am (Knocking at Your Door) (Watkins) 5:00 2 Part Time Love (Hammond) 4:59 3 Just to Be with You (Roth) 6:02 4 Hard Headed (Anderson, Atkins) 4:32 5 When It Rains It Pours (Patterson) 3:50 6 Cross Your Heart (Williamson) 4:21 7 Come Back, Baby (Davis) 4:18 8 Born in Chicago (Gravenites) 3:06 9 Midnight Creeper (Cotton) 3:41 -- UK edition: Sonet SNTF 959, 1986 -- Recorded live at Biddy Mulligan's Chicago, Illinois! JOHNNY COTTON, trombone MICHAEL COLEMAN, guitar/band leader RAY "Killer" ALLISON, drums EDDIE HARSCH, piano DOUGLAS FAGEN, tenor sax DANNY "BONEY" FIELDS, trumpet JAMES COTTON, harmonica and vocals NOEL NEAL, bass Produced by James Cotton and Bruce Iglauer Recorded February 1-3, 1986 at Biddy Mulligan's, Chicago, Illinois Recorded by Justin Niebank and Timothy Powell, assisted by Mark Harder Location audio facilities by Metro Mobile Recording, Glenview, Illinois Mixed by Justin Niebank at Streeterville Studios, Chicago, Illinois Mastered by Tom Coyne at Frankford/Wayne, New York, NY Cover photo by Susan Mattes Cover design by Gary Whitney Liner photos by Susan Mattes All songs arranged by Michael Coleman and the James Cotton Band Special thanks to Biddy Mulligan's, Andy Lakha, Mindy Giles, Pam Hall, Bill Wokersin, Hilton Weinberg, Jay Whitehouse and Sarah Jo Kolanda
James Cotton Take Me Back Release Date: 1987 Label: BLIND PIG BP-2587/BLIND PIG CD BP-72587 Running Time: 34:59 Grammy Nomination, Best Traditional Blues Album These classic sides from the '80s that James produced himself won a Grammy nomination. Another back-to-the-roots campaign for the powerhouse harmonica ace, powered by guitarists Sammy Lawhorn and John Primer and piano patriarch Pinetop Perkins. Cotton attacks nothing but covers, largely of the Chicago subspecies: Little Walter's "My Babe," Jimmy Reed's "Take Out Some Insurance" and "Honest I Do," Muddy Waters' "Clouds in My Heart." Hardly indispensable, but heartfelt. Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 My Babe (Little Walter) 2:56 2 Well, I Done Got over It (Jones) 2:47 3 Clouds in My Heart (Morganfield) 4:03 4 Take Me Back (Little Walter) 2:59 5 Honest I Do (Reed, Abner) 4:16 6 Take Out Some Insurance (Stone) 4:22 7 Killing Floor (Howlin' Wolf, Burnett) 3:12 8 Dust My Broom (Johnson) 4:25 9 Hungry Country Girl (Spann) 5:59 (recorded in Chicago in August 1980; originally issued as "My Foundation", Jackal LP WOW-720, 1983 CAN)
James Cotton Blues Band Live at Antone's Release Date: 1988 Label: ANTONE'S ANT-0007-1/ANT-0007-2 (P-Vine PCD-1805) Running Time: 46:39 Reuniting Cotton with his former guitarists Matt Murphy and Luther Tucker, pianist Pinetop Perkins, and Muddy Waters' ex-rhythm section (bassist Calvin Jones and drummer Willie Smith) looks like a great idea on paper, and it worked equally well in the flesh, when this set was cut live at Antone's Night Club in Austin, TX. Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Blow Wind Blow (Morganfield, Waters) 7:54 2 Juke (Little Walter, Jacobs) 2:36 3 It Ain't Right (Little Walter, Jacobs) 6:35 4 Gone to Main Street (Morganfield, Waters) 5:59 5 Oh Baby (Dixon, Little Walter, Jacobs) 4:14 6 (I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man (Dixon) 3:53 7 Eyesight to the Blind Williamson) 8:00 8 Midnight Creeper (Cotton) 7:49 James Cotton w/ Matt "Guitar" Murphy and Luther Tucker Live Grammy Nomination, Best Traditional Blues Album Antones Records (recorded live in Austin, TX feat. Matt Murphy:gtr, Luther Tucker:gtr, Pinetop Perkins:pno, Calvin Jones:bs, Willie Smith:dms) -- reissue: P-Vine PCD-1805, 2003 JPN --
James Cotton & Billy Branch & Carey Bell & Junior Wells Harp Attack! Release Date: 1990 Label: ALLIGATOR AL/ALCD 4790 Recorded at Streeterville Studios, Chicago, Illinois James Cotton, Junior Wells, Carey Bell, Billy Branch- (Vocals, Harmonica) Michael Coleman- (Guitar) Lucky Peterson- (Bass) Ray “Killer” Allison- (Drums) 01. Down Home Blues 6:23 02. Who 4:05 03. Keep Your Hands Out Of My Pockets 5:56 04. Little Car Blues 3:33 05. My Eyes Keep Me In Trouble 5:30 06. Broke And Hungry 4:30 07. Hit Man 2:36 08. Black Night 8:54 09. Somebody Changed The Lock 3:54 10. Second Hand Man 4:01 11. New Kid On The Block 4:30 James Cotton, Harmonica and Vocals Junior Wells, Harmonica and Vocals Carey Bell, Harmonica and Vocals Billy Branch, Harmonica and Vocals Michael Coleman, Guitar Lucky Peterson, Piano Johnny B. Gayden, Bass Ray "Killer" Allison, Drums Produced by Bruce Iglauer Recorded at Streeterville Studios, Chicago, IL Engineered and mixed by David Axelbaum Additional engineering by Steve "Big Beat" Frisk Assistant engineering by Ken Blume Cover photos by Paul Natkin Cover design by Matt Minde Mastered by Tom Coyne at DMS, New York, NY George Baze plays 2nd guitar on Broke and Hungry and Somebody Changed The Lock Special thanks to Bill Wokersin, Kerry Peace, Chris Young, Nora Kinnally, Bob DePugh, David Forte, Robbin Sebastiani, Ken Morton, Bill Haas, Derek Ault, Jay Septoski, Eric Veldt, Zanell Robey and Luisa Rosales.
James Cotton Mighty Long Time Release Date: 1991 Label: ANTONE'S ANT 0015-1/0015-2 - Discovery / Antone's Records (P-Vine PCD-1808) Running Time: 51:16 Although the titles are all familiar (most of them a little too much so), Cotton and his all-star cohorts (guitarists Jimmie Vaughan, Matt Murphy, Luther Tucker, Hubert Sumlin, and Wayne Bennett, with the omnipresent Perkins on keys) pull the whole thing off beautifully. Cotton's cover of Wolf's "Moanin' at Midnight" is remarkably eerie in its own right, and he romps through Muddy Waters' "Blow Wind Blow" and "Sugar Sweet" with joyous alacrity. Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Straighten Up, Baby (Cotton) 3:10 2 Everything Gonna Be Alright (Little Walter, Jacobs) 3:16 3 Black Nights (Washington) 5:19 4 Blow Wind Blow (Morganfield) 3:48 5 Sugar Sweet (London) 4:19 6 Moanin' at Midnight (Howlin' Wolf, Burnett) 3:09 7 Baby Please (Mayfield) 5:38 8 Hold Me in Your Arms (Cotton) 4:06 9 Call It Stormy Monday (Walker) 6:47 10 Three Hundred Pounds of Joy (Dixon) 3:38 11 Northside Cadillac (Cotton) 4:14 12 Mighty Long Time (Williamson) 5:16 -- reissues: Discovery CD 74208, 1997/P-Vine PCD-1808, 2003 JPN --
The James Cotton Band Live at Electric Lady Release Date: 1992 (United Kingdom) Label: Sequel (NEX CD 224) Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Back at the Chicken Shack (Smith) 2 Off the Wall (Little Walter) 3 Rocket 88 (Brenston) 4 Don't Start Me Talking (Williamson) 5 Georgia Swing 6 One More Mile (Cotton) 7 I Got My Mojo Working (Foster) 8 How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong (Cotton) 9 Blow Wind Blow (Waters) 10 Mean Ol' World (Little Walter) 11 I Don't Know (Lofton) 12 Boogie Thing (Murphy) 13 Stormy Monday (Walker) 14 Fever (Cooley, Davenport) (recorded live in the mid 1970's)
James Cotton Living the Blues Release Date: 1994 Label: VERVE/GITANES 314 521238-2 (Verve 218 ) Running Time: 53:13 "All the guest stars in the world (Joe Louis Walker, Dr. John, Lucky Peterson, Larry McCray) can't mask the simple fact that Cotton's voice was thoroughly shot when he made this disc (apparently the Grammy nominating committee gratuitously overlooked this). The instrumentals, obviously, aren't affected by this malady; they're typically rousing. But whenever Cotton opens his mouth, he sounds as though he's been gargling Drano." Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Mississippi Freight Train (Cotton) 1:27 2 You Didn't Think About That (Steen) 3:47 3 Pacific Blues (Walker) 3:09 4 Take a Message (Steen) 4:54 5 Hungry Country Girl (Spann) 7:00 6 Hucklebuck (Gibson, Alfred) 3:36 7 One Little Piece of Shade (Steen) 3:21 8 Living the Blues (Nicholson) 4:58 9 Black Night (Washington) 5:16 10 Mississippi Saxophone (Steen) 3:41 11 Cotton in the Kitchen (Cotton) 5:08 12 Certified (Ferguson, James, Talley, Brower) 4:42 13 Mississippi Freight Train, Pt. 2 (Cotton) 2:14
James Cotton with Joe Louis Walker & Charlie Haden Deep in the Blues Release Date: 1996 Label: VERVE/GITANES 314 529849-2 Running Time: 57:12 Awards: Grammy Award Deep in the Blues is a fascinating jam session between James Cotton, guitarist Joe Louis Walker, and jazz bassist Charlie Haden. The trio runs through a number of classic blues songs written by Muddy Waters, Percy Mayfield, and Sonny Boy Williamson and a few originals by Walker and Cotton. The sound is intimate and raw, which is a welcome change from Cotton's usual overproduced records. Thom Owens, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Down at Your Buryin' (Cotton) 4:32 2 All Walks of Life (Cotton) 3:34 3 You Got My Nose Open (Murphy) 4:18 4 Dealing With the Devil (Williamson) 3:34 5 Strange Things Happen (Mayfield) 4:20 6 Country Boy (Cotton) 3:21 7 Vineyard Blues (Walker) 3:29 8 Worried Life Blues (Merriweather) 4:05 9 Two Trains Running (Waters) 4:53 10 Ozark Mountain Railroad (Haden) 3:45 11 Sad Letter Blues (Morganfield) 4:14 12 Play With Your Poodle (Hopkins) 3:39 13 Blues in My Sleep (Cotton) 6:10 14 Everybody's Fishin' (Cotton) 3:18 Grammy Award, 1996 ”Deep in the Blues” - Traditional Blues Album Handy Award, 1997 Acoustic Album of the Year - ”Deep In The Blues” Down Beat 45th Annual Critics Poll, 1997 ”Deep in the Blues” - Blues Album of the Year Down Beat 62nd Annual Readers Poll, 1997 ”Deep in the Blues” - Blues Album of the Year INTRODUCTION TO HIS 1996 GRAMMY AWARD FOR BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM - "There is a photograph of a man wearing overalls sitting on an old porch intently playing a harmonica. If you study the photograph you can feel the depth of the man's soul. The man is James Cotton. The porch is part of the commissary store on the plantation where he was born in Tunica, Mississippi. The depth of the man's soul can be heard on Deep In The Blues on Verve Records.
James Cotton & Charlie Musselwhite & Billy Branch & Sugar Ray Norcia Superharps Release Date: October 26, 1999 Label: TELARC CD 83472 Type: audio CD ASIN: B00002NDB5 James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite, Billy Branch, Sugar Ray Norcia - (Vocals, Harmonica) Kid Bangham - (Acoustic & Electric Guitars) Anthony Geraci, David Maxwell - (Piano) Michael “Mudcat” Ward - (D. Bass) Per Hanson - (Drums) Tracks: 01. I Put My Baby Out 4:34 02. The Hucklebuck 5:30 03. Blues, Why Do You Worry Me? 8:29 04. Life Will Be Better 5:18 05. Mean Little Mama 3:18 06. T.D.'s Boogie Woogie 4:35 07. If I Should Have Bad Luck 5:26 08. I'm Gonna Steal Your Baby 4:23 09. Route 66 5:14 10. You're So Fine 5:08 11. Harp to Harp 11:37
James Cotton Fire Down Under the Hill Release Date: 2000 Label: TELARC CD 83497 Running Time: 51:42 Fire Down Under the Hill is the first release for the Telarc label by blues harmonica legend James Cotton. These ten acoustic tracks combine new tunes with the traditional Delta style passed down to Cotton directly from Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson. Backed by his regular road band, guitarist Rico McFarland, pianist David Maxwell, and vocalist Darrell Nulisch, Cotton's exquisitely gritty harp playing still sounds great. Al Campbell, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Cotton Jump Boogie (Cotton, Maxwell) 5:48 2 That's All Right (Rogers) 3:53 3 Young Fashioned Ways (Dixon) 4:07 4 Boot Knockin' Boogie (Nulisch) 4:35 5 Lightning (Cotton) 3:53 6 Feel Like Going Home (Morganfield) 5:51 7 Fire Down Under the Hill (Cotton) 10:36 8 Woman Wanted (Morganfield, Oden) 4:22 9 Reconsider Baby (Fulson) 3:01 10 Something to Remember You By (Guitar Slim [Eddie Jones]) 5:36
James Cotton 35th Anniversary Jam of the James Cotton Blues Band Release Date: 2002 (05/28/02) Label: TELARC CD 83550 Don't complain that there are too many guests here -- that's what this jam was all about, inviting a bunch of friends and kindred spirits to jam in the studio during June of 2001. These musicians were here to salute not just the great James Cotton and his songs, but the long life of his classic James Cotton Blues Band, by playing some of their greatest songs and having a good time. And that's what this is -- a good jam session, performed with heart and vigor. Some of the guests might be a bit better than others, but the band is lively, there's more grit than you'd expect for an all-digital production, and Cotton has moments where he simply smokes. He's constantly a joy to hear; listen to how he breaks into "Jingle Bells" during "The Creeper" and try not to smile. Sure, this isn't the first James Cotton album you should get, or even the fifth, but if you've been a longtime fan, you'll have fun with this. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Don't Start Me Talking (Cotton) 3:26 2 Creeper (Cotton) 5:00 3 I've Got a Feeling (Cotton 4:56 4 Cotton Crop Blues (Cotton) 4:09 5 Fatuation (Cotton) 3:54 6 How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong? (Cotton) 3:35 7 Rocket 88 (Brenston) 3:02 8 Blues in My Sleep (Cotton) 7:04 9 River's Invitation (Mayfield) 4:53 10 All Walks of Life (Cotton) 2:28 11 Hold Me a Baby (Cotton) 4:24 12 Blues for the Hook [Dedication to John Lee Hooker] (Cotton) 6:09 (with vocal guests Shemekia Copeland, Ronnie Hawkins, Syl Johnson, Maria Muldaur, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Bobby Rush, Koko Taylor & Kim Wilson + Jimmie Vaughan:gtr, Tab Benoit:gtr, G.E. Smith:gtr, Mike Williams:gtr, Derek O'Brien:gtr, David Maxwell:pno, Noel Neal:bs, Per Hanson:dms)
The James Cotton Band One More Mile Release Date: 2002 Label: ORPHEUS CD 90623 Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 One More Mile Cotton 2:43 2 All Walks of Life Cotton 2:22 3 Born in Missouri Hosea 4:50 4 Flip Flop and Fly Calhoun, Turner 5:10 5 Boogie Thang Murphy 4:56 6 Good Morning Little Schoolgirl Williamson 3:29 7 Baby Don't You Want to Go McClennan 2:39 8 Help Me 4:10 9 Fanny Mae 4:05 10 Please Please 3:29 11 Hot 'N Cold Toussaint 4:07 12 Teenie Weenie Bit Bell 2:55 13 Blow Wind Blow Morganfield, Waters 3:49 14 How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong Cotton 7:31 15 Got My Mojo Workin' Preston 4:04 16 Goodbye My Lady Rundgren, Klingman 4:36 -- reissue: "Got My Mojo Workin'", Blue Mountain CD 90711, 2003 --
The James Cotton Band Got My Mojo Workin' (reissue) Release Date: 2003 (07/29/03) Label: Blu Mountain Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 One More Mile (Cotton) 2:43 2 All Walks of Life (Cotton) 2:22 3 Born in Missouri (Hosea) 4:50 4 Flip Flop and Fly (Calhoun, Turner) 5:10 5 Boogie Thang (Murphy) 4:56 6 Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (Williamson) 3:29 7 Baby Don't You Want Me to Go (McClennan) 2:39 8 Help Me (Watson) 4:10 9 Fanny Mae 4:05 10 Please Please 3:29 11 Hot 'N Cold (Toussaint) 4:07 12 Teenie Weenie Bit (Bell) 2:55 13 Blow Wind Blow (Morganfield, Waters) 3:49 14 How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong (Cotton) 7:31 15 Got My Mojo Workin' (Preston) 4:04 16 Goodbye My Lady (Rudgren, Smart, Klingman) 4:36
James Cotton Baby, Don't You Tear My Clothes Release Date: 2004 (05/25/04) Label: TELARC CD 83596 James Cotton's third solo release on Telarc, Baby, Don't You Tear My Clothes picks up where 35th Anniversary Jam of the James Cotton Blues Band left off. The strongest of these 13 tracks find Cotton and associates digging back to the '30s for inspiration: Doc & Merle Watson assist on Leroy Carr's "How Long Blues," "Stealin' Stealin'" with Dave Alvin, "Key to the Highway" featuring Odetta, and a bluesy take on the Jimmie Rodgers country standard "Muleskinner Blues." This is mainly a mid-tempo, laid-back session with plenty of Cotton's harp virtuosity, which shines brightest on the instrumentals "Coach's Better Days," "Blues for Jacklyn," and "Friends." Also making contributions to the album are Peter Rowan, C.J. Chenier, Rory Block, Jim Lauderdale, and Marcia Ball. Cotton's core band of guitarist Derek O'Brien, pianist David Maxwell, bassist Noel Neal, and drummer Per Hanson are the glue that hold this session together; they maintain a certain continuity that has been absent on similar "superstar" sessions. Both the blues novice and the fanatic will enjoy this disc. Al Campbell, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Coach's Better Days (Cotton) 3:00 2 Baby, Don't You Tear My Clothes (Hopkins) 2:43 3 When You Got a Good Friend (Johnson) 3:39 4 Stealin', Stealin'( Will) 4:47 5 Key to the Highway (Broonzy, Segar) 4:48 6 I Almost Lost My Mind (Hunter) 3:25 7 Rainin' in My Heart (Moore, West) 4:17 8 Bring It on Home to Me (Cooke) 5:27 9 Muleskinner Blues (Rodgers, Vaughn) 3:35 10 How Long Blues (Carr) 2:50 11 Mississippi Blues (Broonzy) 6:24 12 Blues for Jacklyn (Cotton) 2:58 13 Friends (Cotton) 5:22 (with Doc & Merle Watson on "How Long Blues", Dave Alvin on "Stealin' Stealin'", Odetta on "Key To The Highway", Peter Rowan, C.J. Chenier, Rory Block, Jim Lauderdale, Marcia Ball, Derek O'Brien:gtr, David Maxwell:pno, Noel Neal:bs, Per Hanson:dms)
Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter& James Cotton Breakin' it Up & Breakin' it Down Release Date: 2007 Label: Sony BMG Historical Album of the Year
James Cotton Giant Release Date: 2010 Label: Alligator Records Grammy Nomination, Best Traditional Blues Album Tracks 1 Buried Alive In The Blues 3:31 2 Heard You're Getting Married 4:59 3 Find Yourself Another Fool 2:54 4 Sad Sad Day 4:59 5 Change 2:56 6 How Blue Can You Get? 5:01 7 With The Quickness 2:32 8 Since I Met You Baby 6:13 9 Goind Down Main Street 3:50 10 That's All Right 5:12 11 Let Yourself Go 3:05 12 Blues For Koko 6:15 The blues harp master returns to Alligator! A straight-up shot of James Cotton at his hard-blowing best, backed by his tight, road-tested touring band. The spotlight shines directly on Cotton’s ferocious playing and huge sound throughout, as he fires up the band for an exhilarating collection of breathless boogies, infectious shuffles and sweet, simmering blues. "Among the greats of all time, He blazes on harp with brilliant virtuosity,"--Rolling Stone Dedicated to the memory of Koko Taylor James Cotton Harmonica Slam Allen Vocals and Guitar (left channel) Tom Holland Guitar (right channel), Vocal on “Sad Sad Day” Noel Neal Bass Kenny Neal, Jr. Drums Ronnie James Weber plays bass on “Sad Sad Day” Produced by James Cotton, Jacklyn Hairston and Derek O’Brien Recorded and mixed by Stuart Sullivan at Wire Recording, Austin, TX Mixing assistance by Bruce Iglauer Mastered by Collin Jordan and Bruce Iglauer at The Boiler Room, Chicago, IL James Cotton photos by Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve Band photos by Dusty Blues Packaging design by Kevin Niemiec Alligator logo design by Michael Trossman
James Cotton Cotton Mouth Man Release Date: 2013 Label: Alligator Records Nominated for the 56th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Blues Album Tracks 1. Cotton Mouth Man (feat. Joe Bonamassa) 3:47 2. Midnight Train (feat. Gregg Allman) 3:29 3. Mississippi Mud (feat. Keb Mo) 4:00 4. He Was There 3:44 5. Something For Me (feat. Warren Haynes) 3:40 6. Wrapped Around My Heart (feat. Ruthie Foster) 3:22 7. Saint On Sunday 3:31 8. Hard Sometimes (feat. Delbert McClinton) 3:18 9. Young Bold Women 3:25 10. Bird Nest On The Ground 4:19 11. Wasn't My Time To Go (feat. Keb Mo) 4:16 12. Blues Is Good For You 4:25 13. Bonnie Blue 3:33 World-renowned blues harp icon is joined by special guests Gregg Allman, Joe Bonamassa, Ruthie Foster, Delbert McClinton, Warren Haynes, Keb Mo, Chuck Leavell and Colin Linden for a joyous collection of raucous boogies, sunny country blues and brash Chicago shuffles inspired by Cotton’s colorful and sometime perilous life. Eleven fresh new songs, including “Bonnie Blue,” which features a rare Cotton vocal performance. 1 COTTON MOUTH MAN James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums, Background Vocals Joe Bonamassa - Lead Guitar Rob McNelley - Rhythm Guitar Tommy MacDonald - Bass Darrell Nulisch - Vocals 2 MIDNIGHT TRAIN James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums Chuck Leavell - Wurlitzer Piano Tom Holland - Guitar Noel Neal - Bass Gregg Allman - Vocals 3 MISSISSIPPI MUD James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums, Percussion Chuck Leavell - Piano Rob McNelley - Guitar Glenn Worf - Upright Bass Keb Mo - Vocals 4 HE WAS THERE James Cotton - Harmonica Jerry Porter - Drums Chuck Leavell - Piano Tom Holland - Guitar Noel Neal - Bass Darrell Nulisch - Vocals 5 SOMETHING FOR ME James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums, Percussion Chuck Leavell - Piano Tom Holland - Guitar Noel Neal - Bass Warren Haynes - Guitar, Vocals 6 WRAPPED AROUND MY HEART James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums, Percussion Chuck Leavell - Hammond B3 Organ Rob McNelley - Guitar Glenn Worf - Bass Ruthie Foster - Vocals 7 SAINT ON SUNDAY James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums Chuck Leavell - Wurlitzer Piano Rob McNelley - Guitar Glenn Worf - Bass Darrell Nulisch - Vocals 8 HARD SOMETIMES James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums Chuck Leavell - Piano Rob McNelley - Guitar Glenn Worf - Upright Bass Delbert McClinton - Vocals 9 YOUNG BOLD WOMEN James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums, Percussion Chuck Leavell - Hammond B3 Organ Rob McNelley - Guitar Glenn Worf - Upright Bass Darrell Nulisch - Vocals 10 BIRD NEST ON THE GROUND James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums, Percussion Chuck Leavell - Piano Tom Holland - Guitar Noel Neal - Bass Darrell Nulisch - Vocals 11 WASN'T MY TIME TO GO James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums Chuck Leavell - Wurlitzer Piano Rob McNelley - Guitar Glenn Worf - Upright Bass Keb Mo - Vocals, Guitar 12 BLUES IS GOOD FOR YOU James Cotton - Harmonica Tom Hambridge - Drums, Percussion Chuck Leavell - Keyboards Rob McNelly - Guitar Glenn Worf - Bass Darrell Nulisch - Vocals 13 BONNIE BLUE James Cotton - Harmonica, Vocals Colin Linden - Resonator Guitar Produced by Tom Hambridge Recorded at Sound Stage Studio, Nashville TN Engineered by Jim Cooley and Nick Autry Mixed and Mastered by Tom Hambridge and Michael Saint-Leon at The Switchyard, Nashville TN Executive Producer: Bruce Iglauer Additional Recording by: Shane Baldwin at Elevated Basement, Savannah GA Stuart Sullivan at Wire Recording, Austin TX Brendan Muldowney at Carriage House, Stamford CT
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