There is just no other harp player, living or dead, who had a sound like this. Note that he's playing right on the vocal mike, through the PA. No retro (Astatic, Green Bullet, etc.) harp mike, no Tweed Champ. Just mouth, harp, and mike. I've heard stories about Sonny Boy (Rice Miller) rocking juke joints with just harp and a stomping foot. I understand now. Loved Cotton since I was 16; saw him for the first time then, too.
Could very well be, Adam. You could never tell with Cotton, though, because he sounded the same WHATEVER he used. Thought I saw one of those tall Silverface amps that he'd use on the stage (Quad Reverb or Super 6). One time he used MY Super Reverb and Green Bullet in a little joint in Chicago and sounded like that, another time, I saw him play thru just his voice mike and he sounded like that-it was that thick "Virginia ham" tone that overwhelmed any system, PA or amp .....
A few years back, I listened to Cotton for the first time in years, and I realized that MY style of playing, which includes a lot of octaves, double-stops, and mouth distortion, was actually about 95% James Cotton. LOL.
I gate crashed this guys 64th birthday party, on Beale Street, Memphis, and he jammed with Sean Costello all night, without a doubt, the best gig I ever, ever went to....Love it, absolute 'harp' genius...!!!
Saw him in Detroit my hometown in about 1968 at the Chessmate on 6 mile and Livernois !!! One kickass show !!! James went out doors on that snowy night and played a few riffs before coming back on stage !!! Great memories for me!!!!!
I worked with the Drummer Ken Johnson. Just check him out. He's one of the very best blues drummers of all times. I only wish that someone in the blues world would give him he's do respect. Kennard Johnson passed away in March of 05. He spent 13 years with James Cotton & 13 years with Kenny Neal and was on to many LP's CD's to mention. Just to let you know. The blues world lost a great one and nobody knows it. Well, Now you do. Pass it on. "Sweet Daddy"
He does Sonny Boy Williamson, Jr Wells. and Howlin Wolf effortlesly, and you know he has his own style. Everyone reading this post should send James Cotton his just appriciation for all the work he has done.
RIP, James Cotton. It'll be a rockin' good time with Muddy, Junior Wells, B.B., John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Stevie Ray and all those blues greats. Thanks for the wicked awesome harp playing.
Thank you James Cotton, I saw you in a bar in '75, you played this tune and had us all jumping up and down, laughing and who knows what. Thanks Rest in Peace, there's going to be an outrageous concert in Heaven tonight.
The great James Cotton.First harp player I ever heard that I can remember actually playing the blues so will always have a firm place in my heart.Jim.liverpool.
I miss Cotton, with every beat of my heart. He was my first harp teacher. A dear dear friend, a confidante. My beloved mentor. God blesses his eternal soul. As the blessed Angels attend Cotton in Heaven......!!!!
James Cotton has a way of making a person getting up to dance along. I am not much for getting up to dance and James Cotton had me dancing at the Chicago Blues Festival of 2013 on Sunday 6-9-13.
My favorite harp player! He had us all dancing around in the rain and mud (muddy waters!) to his music at the Poconos Blues Fest! Can you hear why? DEFINITELY THE REAL DEAL!
I was priveleged to spend 6 months on Paul Butterfield's farm in Bearsville in the early 70s. One morning Paul and I were in the kitchen and I happened to answer the phone asking who's calling and the voice said "it's Cotton, let me speak to Butter". Those two were amazing harpists who inspired me to play the blues on my harps still today when I was listening to Cotton with his band, wow!
Saw Cotton many times back in the 80s. He had a line up with Micheal Coleman on guitar, I think Neil Noel on bass kinda being the focal point of the band until James came up on stage. Absolute dynamite. Those guys were so high energy, and tight. Best band I ever saw!
I've been telling every wanna bee blues drummer for years about Mr. Ken Johnson. He just has that perfect feel in anything he played! The hands and feet are matched perfectly. As a drummer you strive to have where one limb isn't always the lead. As a not he was the drummer on Steve Miller's "Fly like an Eagle" A groove that Miller didn't deserve!! Kenny makes that tune bigtime. I sure miss seeing him, he was a huge influence on me!
Living in Mtl. '67, '68, James invited me to see him at L'Hibou in Ottawa - when I got there the first set was on, but they locked the doors, charging for ea. set. I was standing under a large light, just outside the door - James, walking around & playing, mic cord over his shoulder - was it the Creeper or Blues in my Sleep? & saw me outside, reached out, yanked me in, never missing a note -- after the set, the owner came & asked me to PAY the cover..I told him to go see James...what a nite...
The thing about James C is there are other players who have super fast runs and greater technical facility. Tho Cotton’s vocabulary is smaller than some, he has other stuff at his disposal: great tone, showmanship, great feeling and his playing is always in the pocket. He hits those notes and bends at the right moment. His sound is distinctive. I can always tell when it’s James Cotton playing. He made us stand up and have a great time. RIP, James Cotton.
first time learned to appreciate his music was on a philippine tv program 'in concert' channel 13, something like 1972. and i loved the way he played his harmonica and the way he entertained his audience with the creeper and and his next music with his guitarist doing a solo. and i was around 14years old then. will never grow tired of his music.
Saw JCB in '82. The man was possessed; rolling somersaults in the aisle, right at my feet. Super Harp, god his lungs were bursting. This tune closed one set. He was a young man and just filled the room w/his spirit. You had to be there to know. *****Star performance.
Saw JCB in '82. The man was possessed; rolling somersaults in the aisle, right at my feet. Super Harp, god his lungs were bursting. This tune closed one set. He was a young man and just filled the room w/his spirit. You had to be there to know. *****Star performance.
Lee Oskar of war. Always my harp hero. Led me to Sonny Boy. And James Cotton. An underrated musical instrument. In the hands of these artist. Mind Blowing!
I saw him in Alaska about 3 months before he died. He was still recovering from throat surgery and couldn't but one of the band members did. He only made it about halftway through the second set, but we all knew that he wasn't well. No autographs, no visits. He almost collapsed on stage. It's so sad to see that olks like him and Ella keep on performing when they should be enjoying retirement because they need the money.
It's always a treat to see Mr. Cotton as I always call him when I see him and Pinetop still tearing it up at Antone's after 30 years. Bless Cliff for bringing him to Austin. Last year when he sat in with Johnny Winter at Antone's I swear could feel Cliff, and all the Saints in the place that night! Talk about your Cosmic Cowboys! While we have Mr Cotton and so many basing out of Austin, NYC go see Les Paul still doing his weekly show! Let him Les Paulverize you!
The late Kennard Johnson on drums, also played on some Steve Miller records. From the electrified delta blues of Chicago's south side, to the James Brown beats and BB King-influenced guitar mixed into the west side blues, Cotton took Chicago blues into its third incarnation : high energy.
This is brilliant! I'm such a fan of James and he's really having a great time here (bursting out laughing in the middle of a harp break, just brilliant!) I'm glad to say that I saw him many years ago at Colne in the UK and managed to get a signed poster, Just one of the Best ever!
Mid 60's Fillmore West…Bill Graham turned us all onto Cotton, Muddy Waters, BB King, Butterfield, Miles Davis, Freddy King, Albert King all of em' fantastic…thanks Mr. Graham for a lifetime of BLUES
Mr. Cotton, I owe you so much, I can't even count. I'm a pretty good harp player who has lifted dozens of licks from you or the other people who've done the same. More to the point, your sound and energy inspired me to push past the simple stuff and go for the gritty, sophisticated blues-rock style you introduced. I'm sure Magic Dick, Huey Lewis, Sugar Blue, Jason Ricci and dozens of others would agree. You were a force of nature and a pioneer. Thank you for all you taught us!
I've been playing bass since 1968, recently introduced to Mr. Harp. Amazing, he plays like an angel. I've played with a lot of fake musicians, but this guy is legit!
Traveled with James in an old Ford Van to Monterey Pop Festival from their BenLomond Gig 1974, after previously traveling with them in 1972 down around Florida … bass player, then the drummer. James visited house in1985 asking me to head back out on the road.
Little Walter had so much melodic inventiveness as well as fabulous tone & technique. His playing on the Muddy Waters stuff from the 50's & 60's is unsurpassed for economy & excitement. There've been some great players - Sonny Boy - Sonny Terry & Big Walter but LW had so much more in terms of beautiful runs & high flying harp that is breathtaking!... So much variation!
Ask me the finest parts of blues are when or at least the finest fruits of it that I enjoy and acknowledges when it's on point and really swinging like this kind of stuff it kind of speaks to its own purpose. These. Last few videos have been solud gold
Abe Gibron th-cam.com/video/3OcAVJDZoo8/w-d-xo.html I tryied to play a 2001 Version Love this guy. James, and Little Walter are my favorite harp sucker players. Jaja 😈
I gave that a listen...strong on the harp. I had the honor of knowing Cotton a long time and spent a lot of time around him. I am not a musician but Cotton taught me a lot about life in general. I guess Buddy is the last of the Chicago cats thats still around. Check out Kim Wilson on harp.
I'm guessing this is mid-to-late 1970's - this is the time period I saw him play at "The Place", a bar in Eugene, Oregon. Best blues shows I've ever witnessed.
Date:Oct 28 1988 Charles R. Calmese, 34, a native Chicagoan who played bass in several top rock and blues bands, died in Hartford, Conn., from injuries sustained in an auto accident. Mr. Calmese began his musical career in Chicago at 16 with the James Cotton Band, recording and touring in the United States and Canada for eight years. He moved to Willimantic, Conn., in 1975. He performed with such musicians as Muddy Waters, Ike &Tina Turner, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Chuck Berry and Mat...
no. They were at Ford Auditorium around l971 or 72 opening for Marshall Tucker and Charlie Daniel's Band. Matt Murphy(g), same drummer, Little Bo(Ts) I had to leave after James band. They were tight and they swung for blues leaving the southern rock bands in a heap of dust.
To whoever was asking about they key, James plays it on an A harp (3rd position). He is one of my top four, with Big Walter, Little Walter, and George Smith... can I even limit it to four!!!!
@2009framat Charles passed away in 1988 in an automobile accident on Route 6 in CT. He is deeply missed for his musicianship and generous spirit. He was awarded a Platinum album for Steve Miller's Fly Like and Eagle and Book of Dreams and a Grammy for Muddy Water's album Hard Again. More recently, we also lost drummer,Kenard (Kenny) Johnson.
@dcoch2000 Good move. James was the guy who replaced Little Walter in Muddy Waters' band (that's James on "Got My Mojo Workin' " and "Walkin' Thru The Park"). This clip was from the time when James was still able to sing (he had throat cancer in the late '90s, but overcame it; unfortunately it robbed him of the ability to sing). His solo albums to start with are "The Vanguard Years" and his Alligator Records releases "High Compression" and his live album.
Such crucial and awesome. Contribution that blyes and jazz has given us Give thanks y'all And its a. Cathartic burning. Of zteam just like the. Fastest train on the line This is the collective. Inheritance of all the world. And. Here for all time as long as the sun keeps burning. Thus feels like a institution of. Beautiful souls and the rhythm is. Equalizer that put everyone at this point of. Lifting each other to 0ush it higher and higher The blues and jazz are the riches. Of all the Ages Such a beautiful and fulsome glance at our. Universe. And the consciousness. Aint done doing its
@2009framat Yes, He also played guitar, for fun. - He played on the Fly Like an Eagle Album - (Steve Miller) Charles had a platinum album from this. I can't remember off the top of my head which tracks.
@2009framat NOt sure who this guy is but the actual James Cotton is alive. Not entirely well, but well enough to perform a show near where I live. What a show! Bought a CD and he signed it too! He is in his 70's. Doesnt have much of a voice left but he can belt out the harmonica and his band can totally rock!
There is just no other harp player, living or dead, who had a sound like this. Note that he's playing right on the vocal mike, through the PA. No retro (Astatic, Green Bullet, etc.) harp mike, no Tweed Champ. Just mouth, harp, and mike. I've heard stories about Sonny Boy (Rice Miller) rocking juke joints with just harp and a stomping foot. I understand now. Loved Cotton since I was 16; saw him for the first time then, too.
Modern Blues Harmonica you bet Adam, as inspirational as it gets man!
Could very well be, Adam. You could never tell with Cotton, though, because he sounded the same WHATEVER he used. Thought I saw one of those tall Silverface amps that he'd use on the stage (Quad Reverb or Super 6). One time he used MY Super Reverb and Green Bullet in a little joint in Chicago and sounded like that, another time, I saw him play thru just his voice mike and he sounded like that-it was that thick "Virginia ham" tone that overwhelmed any system, PA or amp .....
Man what a harmonica player. My dad always loved this guy and I always knew why
A few years back, I listened to Cotton for the first time in years, and I realized that MY style of playing, which includes a lot of octaves, double-stops, and mouth distortion, was actually about 95% James Cotton. LOL.
That's why James was 'the Hendrix' of Harmonica.
_Trailblazer!_
I gate crashed this guys 64th birthday party, on Beale Street, Memphis, and he jammed with Sean Costello all night, without a doubt, the best gig I ever, ever went to....Love it, absolute 'harp' genius...!!!
Saw him in Detroit my hometown in about 1968 at the Chessmate on 6 mile and Livernois !!! One kickass show !!! James went out doors on that snowy night and played a few riffs before coming back on stage !!! Great memories for me!!!!!
I worked with the Drummer Ken Johnson. Just check him out. He's one of the very best blues drummers of all times. I only wish that someone in the blues world would give him he's do respect. Kennard Johnson passed away in March of 05. He spent 13 years with James Cotton & 13 years with Kenny Neal and was on to many LP's CD's to mention.
Just to let you know. The blues world lost a great one and nobody knows it.
Well, Now you do. Pass it on.
"Sweet Daddy"
He does Sonny Boy Williamson, Jr Wells. and Howlin Wolf effortlesly, and you know he has his own style. Everyone reading this post should send James Cotton his just appriciation for all the work he has done.
Philip Jerrome right on power house
Simply the best ever with a harp
HazySpirit If that harp could sing!? Baby it's alright!!!!!
He did he play Howlin Wolf and Sonnyboy effortlessly? I suppose he would, he played in Sonnyboys band as a drummer, and he played harp for Howlin Wolf
There just aint anyone with a deeper, more soulful tone on blues harp, not to mention his rhythmic sensibility. A true giant.
JC - "Live And On The Move" Recorded at the Shaboo in Wilamantic CT. One of Cottons Best
L P's Ever.
Thanks for the conment.
shaboo
If that was the Shaboo show say early to mid 70's I was there.
He lives and breathes that harmonica! Got the music in his soul!
RIP, James Cotton. It'll be a rockin' good time with Muddy, Junior Wells, B.B., John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Stevie Ray and all those blues greats. Thanks for the wicked awesome harp playing.
Thank you James Cotton, I saw you in a bar in '75, you played this tune and had us all jumping up and down, laughing and who knows what. Thanks Rest in Peace, there's going to be an outrageous concert in Heaven tonight.
The great James Cotton.First harp player I ever heard that I can remember actually playing the blues so will always have a firm place in my heart.Jim.liverpool.
Mind you that was back in the early 70s and actually may have been On The Road again,with the late and great Al Wilson on harp.Jim.Liverpool.
I miss Cotton, with every beat of my heart. He was my first harp teacher. A dear dear friend, a confidante. My beloved mentor. God blesses his eternal soul. As the blessed Angels attend Cotton in Heaven......!!!!
James Cotton has a way of making a person getting up to dance along. I am not much for getting up to dance and James Cotton had me dancing at the Chicago Blues Festival of 2013 on Sunday 6-9-13.
James Cotton is amazing, I was lucky enough to see him live. I was *blown* away by his performance even at his old age!
My favorite harp player! He had us all dancing around in the rain and mud (muddy waters!) to his music at the Poconos Blues Fest! Can you hear why? DEFINITELY THE REAL DEAL!
I was priveleged to spend 6 months on Paul Butterfield's farm in Bearsville in the early 70s. One morning Paul and I were in the kitchen and I happened to answer the phone asking who's calling and the voice said "it's Cotton, let me speak to Butter". Those two were amazing harpists who inspired me to play the blues on my harps still today when I was listening to Cotton with his band, wow!
Only 3 minutes into it and my face is already melting.... Love it!
Can't stop smiling. What a performance!
Saw Cotton many times back in the 80s. He had a line up with Micheal Coleman on guitar, I think Neil Noel on bass kinda being the focal point of the band until James came up on stage. Absolute dynamite. Those guys were so high energy, and tight. Best band I ever saw!
I've been telling every wanna bee blues drummer for years about Mr. Ken Johnson. He just has that perfect feel in anything he played! The hands and feet are matched perfectly. As a drummer you strive to have where one limb isn't always the lead. As a not he was the drummer on Steve Miller's "Fly like an Eagle" A groove that Miller didn't deserve!! Kenny makes that tune bigtime. I sure miss seeing him, he was a huge influence on me!
i was lucky enough to meet the man. I talked to him and didn't understand a word he was saying until he played his harp.
Living in Mtl. '67, '68, James invited me to see him at L'Hibou in Ottawa - when I got there the first set was on, but they locked the doors, charging for ea. set. I was standing under a large light, just outside the door - James, walking around & playing, mic cord over his shoulder - was it the Creeper or Blues in my Sleep? & saw me outside, reached out, yanked me in, never missing a note -- after the set, the owner came & asked me to PAY the cover..I told him to go see James...what a nite...
Sue Devoe 🍒🍒🍒
Hello Sue how are you doing hope you’re having a great time with your family may God bless you and your family
Man, Cotton was so fun and soulful on his thing... just a legend
The thing about James C is there are other players who have super fast runs and greater technical facility. Tho Cotton’s vocabulary is smaller than some, he has other stuff at his disposal: great tone, showmanship, great feeling and his playing is always in the pocket. He hits those notes and bends at the right moment. His sound is distinctive. I can always tell when it’s James Cotton playing.
He made us stand up and have a great time. RIP, James Cotton.
Mr superharp himself James cotton live in Chicago my favorite album of all time👍🇨🇦
R.I.P superharp very glad I had the chance of meeting you when you were in town
How could anyone know what the blues is before seeing this? I've been lost all this time. This is just amazing.
first time learned to appreciate his music was on a philippine tv program 'in concert' channel 13, something like 1972. and i loved the way he played his harmonica and the way he entertained his audience with the creeper and and his next music with his guitarist doing a solo. and i was around 14years old then. will never grow tired of his music.
Saw JCB in '82. The man was possessed; rolling somersaults in the aisle, right at my feet. Super Harp, god his lungs were bursting. This tune closed one set.
He was a young man and just filled the room w/his spirit. You had to be there to know.
*****Star performance.
Saw JCB in '82. The man was possessed; rolling somersaults in the aisle, right at my feet. Super Harp, god his lungs were bursting. This tune closed one set.
He was a young man and just filled the room w/his spirit. You had to be there to know.
*****Star performance.
Lee Oskar of war. Always my harp hero. Led me to Sonny Boy. And James Cotton. An underrated musical instrument. In the hands of these artist. Mind Blowing!
I saw him in Alaska about 3 months before he died. He was still recovering from throat surgery and couldn't but one of the band members did. He only made it about halftway through the second set, but we all knew that he wasn't well. No autographs, no visits. He almost collapsed on stage.
It's so sad to see that olks like him and Ella keep on performing when they should be enjoying retirement because they need the money.
I would be curious to know how many great blues black genius are dead without really a lot of money...Yes is so sad...it 's so...blues
Sometimes they do it because it keeps their band members working.
Saw him in Toronto about 5 years ago. Great show, killer band, and James himself was fabulous. Got to shake the man's hand. Aces, baby, aces!
It's always a treat to see Mr. Cotton as I always call him when I see him and Pinetop still tearing it up at Antone's after 30 years. Bless Cliff for bringing him to Austin. Last year when he sat in with Johnny Winter at Antone's I swear could feel Cliff, and all the Saints in the place that night! Talk about your Cosmic Cowboys! While we have Mr Cotton and so many basing out of Austin, NYC go see Les Paul still doing his weekly show! Let him Les Paulverize you!
he is not human! god of the blues! you are number one
Hohner Marine Band in the key of A, definitely tough to play like this, it's the sense of rhythm, the tone, everything, he's the master on that!
The late Kennard Johnson on drums, also played on some Steve Miller records. From the electrified delta blues of Chicago's south side, to the James Brown beats and BB King-influenced guitar mixed into the west side blues, Cotton took Chicago blues into its third incarnation : high energy.
This is brilliant! I'm such a fan of James and he's really having a great time here (bursting out laughing in the middle of a harp break, just brilliant!) I'm glad to say that I saw him many years ago at Colne in the UK and managed to get a signed poster, Just one of the Best ever!
This man got a everytime-state-of-the-art harpsound! Gorgeous! THanks for posting that video!!!!!
Mid 60's Fillmore West…Bill Graham turned us all onto Cotton, Muddy Waters, BB King, Butterfield, Miles Davis, Freddy King, Albert King all of em' fantastic…thanks Mr. Graham for a lifetime of BLUES
❤❤I personally love the 1920’s blues harp and I would sit in my bedroom eyes closed just loving every note played xx
Mr. Cotton, I owe you so much, I can't even count. I'm a pretty good harp player who has lifted dozens of licks from you or the other people who've done the same. More to the point, your sound and energy inspired me to push past the simple stuff and go for the gritty, sophisticated blues-rock style you introduced. I'm sure Magic Dick, Huey Lewis, Sugar Blue, Jason Ricci and dozens of others would agree. You were a force of nature and a pioneer. Thank you for all you taught us!
Watching great talent is such a gift.
I saw him in 1985 at Quebec City...Wonderfull
I've been playing bass since 1968, recently introduced to Mr. Harp. Amazing, he plays like an angel. I've played with a lot of fake musicians, but this guy is legit!
damn, man. don't hurt yourself! love it.
Traveled with James in an old Ford Van to Monterey Pop Festival from their BenLomond Gig 1974, after previously traveling with them in 1972 down around Florida … bass player, then the drummer. James visited house in1985 asking me to head back out on the road.
Absolutely amazing! Something to aspire to ... really!
Little Walter had so much melodic inventiveness as well as fabulous tone & technique. His playing on the Muddy Waters stuff from the 50's & 60's is unsurpassed for economy & excitement. There've been some great players - Sonny Boy - Sonny Terry & Big Walter but LW had so much more in terms of beautiful runs & high flying harp that is breathtaking!... So much variation!
Ask me the finest parts of blues are when or at least the finest fruits of it that I enjoy and acknowledges when it's on point and really swinging like this kind of stuff it kind of speaks to its own purpose. These. Last few videos have been solud gold
Thanks for uploading this. Its made my day a few times.
What a rhythm section Kennard Johnson on drums and Nate Applewhite on bass..
Definitivamente uno de los mejores!!! Grande James Cotton..
This guy has more talent in his hair than the entire modern music industry.
You are 100% correct.
The last of the original architects of amplified harmonica. Singular tONE, unrivaled inTENsity.
Cotton was one of the last great Chicago blues guys...He played in a lot of historic rock and roll albums. Good guy ...
Abe Gibron th-cam.com/video/3OcAVJDZoo8/w-d-xo.html
I tryied to play a 2001 Version
Love this guy.
James, and Little Walter are my favorite harp sucker players. Jaja 😈
I gave that a listen...strong on the harp. I had the honor of knowing Cotton a long time and spent a lot of time around him. I am not a musician but Cotton taught me a lot about life in general. I guess Buddy is the last of the Chicago cats thats still around. Check out Kim Wilson on harp.
Abe Gibron creeps, creeps again
Feels good to see this video. We do it with James without the sax. Love it!
TUVE LA GRANDIOSA OPORTUNIDAD DE VERLO EN VIVO HACE UNOS AÑOS EN ARGENTINA... UN COPO Y SI LOS HAY !!!!!!!!
RIP Blues Brother
Eagles Auditorium 1968 blew the place down…many New Year’s Eve’s in BC…also his bro Otis Spann
My old friend James -- just like he was in '67, '68 and '69 -- always fun and crazy and brilliant
toute la musique du monde entier m'inspire , surtout le jazz , le blues sans oublier la musique des noirs américains.
Just amazing! 👍. One of his own, in harmonica.
I'm guessing this is mid-to-late 1970's - this is the time period I saw him play at "The Place", a bar in Eugene, Oregon. Best blues shows I've ever witnessed.
The master at work! I'm guessing this is the 19 eighties?
And yet another of my heroes
Fabulous. Without doubt the second greatest blues harpist of all time.
The great James Cotton
Date:Oct 28 1988
Charles R. Calmese, 34, a native Chicagoan who played bass in several top rock and blues bands, died in Hartford, Conn., from injuries sustained in an auto accident.
Mr. Calmese began his musical career in Chicago at 16 with the James Cotton Band, recording and touring in the United States and Canada for eight years. He moved to Willimantic, Conn., in 1975.
He performed with such musicians as Muddy Waters, Ike &Tina Turner, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Chuck Berry and Mat...
It's a massive pity the general public doesn't have any taste whatsoever, and therefore doesn't listen to the blues.
-from a South African teenager.
RIP sir. 1935- 2017
I got to see him in the 70s and got to shake his hand also - so awesome!!!!
the best harp player in the WORLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is so true!!! Pure magic!!!
He Was one of the greatest #harmonica player of the world. In which key is the Song?
Keep it Coming James!!!!! YEAH!!!!!
no. They were at Ford Auditorium around l971 or 72 opening for Marshall Tucker and Charlie Daniel's Band. Matt Murphy(g), same drummer, Little Bo(Ts) I had to leave after James band. They were tight and they swung for blues leaving the southern rock bands in a heap of dust.
By god this harmonic is on fire!
To whoever was asking about they key, James plays it on an A harp (3rd position). He is one of my top four, with Big Walter, Little Walter, and George Smith... can I even limit it to four!!!!
This is second position work, not third.
what a band - JC in his prime
Wow!!
charles was leaving a gig in Mass going back to CT. Car accident. my birthday. he is so missed.
@2009framat
Charles passed away in 1988 in an automobile accident on Route 6 in CT. He is deeply missed for his musicianship and generous spirit.
He was awarded a Platinum album for Steve Miller's Fly Like and Eagle and Book of Dreams and a Grammy for Muddy Water's album Hard Again.
More recently, we also lost drummer,Kenard (Kenny) Johnson.
take my time to watch more and more again.
Listen to him on the album Hard Again with Muddy Waters and JohnnyWinters and you will realise what a master he really is.
I had it on cassette and was playing it on my box and I drove off and all was gone I came back. I cried
@dcoch2000 Good move. James was the guy who replaced Little Walter in Muddy Waters' band (that's James on "Got My Mojo Workin' " and "Walkin' Thru The Park"). This clip was from the time when James was still able to sing (he had throat cancer in the late '90s, but overcame it; unfortunately it robbed him of the ability to sing). His solo albums to start with are "The Vanguard Years" and his Alligator Records releases "High Compression" and his live album.
What a talent!!!!!
this is the most awesome show ive ever seen in my whole life....lol
Pufff me encanta cotton es increíble este tipo un crack de verdad
Holy shit after listening to him, my soul just went balistic just amazing!!
The best. I met him in 76 on LI.
0:38 - 1:11 That is so coooooool! ^^ The whole performance is damn brilliant.
This guy is amazing !
Such crucial and awesome. Contribution that blyes and jazz has given us
Give thanks y'all
And its a. Cathartic burning. Of zteam just like the. Fastest train on the line
This is the collective. Inheritance of all the world. And. Here for all time as long as the sun keeps burning. Thus feels like a institution of. Beautiful souls and the rhythm is. Equalizer that put everyone at this point of. Lifting each other to 0ush it higher and higher
The blues and jazz are the riches. Of all the Ages
Such a beautiful and fulsome glance at our. Universe. And the consciousness. Aint done doing its
YES SIR!!!! BADAQSS RIGHT THERE!!!
SICK!!
A Harp delight!
Such a master.. Up there with mr jacobs..
All Right!! Awesome!! Thanks for sharing!! Totally enjoyed it!
@2009framat
Yes, He also played guitar, for fun. - He played on the Fly Like an Eagle Album - (Steve Miller) Charles had a platinum album from this. I can't remember off the top of my head which tracks.
@2009framat
NOt sure who this guy is but the actual James Cotton is alive. Not entirely well, but well enough to perform a show near where I live. What a show! Bought a CD and he signed it too! He is in his 70's. Doesnt have much of a voice left but he can belt out the harmonica and his band can totally rock!
My Kin!!!
Jackson,MS!!!
I'll never forget being in The Oakridge with Scruff when Cotton walks in and yells HEY MAN!