Big Mama Thornton - With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1966 (Reissue) (1966/2004)
Artist: Big Mama Thornton
Title: With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1966
Year Of Release: 1966/2004
Label: Arhoolie Records
Genre: Blues
Quality: Mp3 320 / Flac (image, .cue, log)
Total Time: 01:03:47
Total Size: 157/428 Mb (scans)
WebSite: Album Preview
Title: With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1966
Year Of Release: 1966/2004
Label: Arhoolie Records
Genre: Blues
Quality: Mp3 320 / Flac (image, .cue, log)
Total Time: 01:03:47
Total Size: 157/428 Mb (scans)
WebSite: Album Preview
Tracklist:
01. I'm Feeling Alright
02. Sometimes I Have A Heartache
03. Black Rat (take 4)
04. Life Goes On
05. Everything Gonna Be Alright
06. Big Mama's Bumble Bee Blues
07. Gimme A Penny (take 6)
08. Looking The World Over
09. I Feel The Way I Feel
10. Guide Me Home
11. Black Rat (take 2)
12. Wrapped Tight
13. Gimme A Penny (take 5)
14. Big Mama's Shuffle
15. Since I Fell For You
16. I'm Feeling Alright (fast version)
17. Big Mama's Blues (My Love)
Line-up::
Willie "Big Mama" Thornton: vicals, drums on #5, harmonica on #14,17
Muddy Waters: guitar
James Cotton: harmonica
Otis Spann: piano
Samuel Lawhorn: guitar
Luther Johnson: bass
Francis Clay: drums
In the mid- '60s, Big Mama Thornton was a relatively obscure blues singer known mainly for her original recording of "Hound Dog" in 1953, three years before Elvis had a monster hit with it. Due to a lack of gigs, Thornton had a tough time keeping a steady band on the road and would scramble to gather consistently decent musicians. Fortunately, Arhoolie Records' founder and president Chris Strachwitz had witnessed an amazing performance of the era which had Thornton backed by a group of Chicago musicians who included Buddy Guy on guitar. With that performance in mind, Strachwitz was determined to capture that excellence in the studio. He offered the gig to Muddy Waters, whom he met in San Francisco a few days prior to this session. Muddy accepted and brought with him James Cotton (harmonica), Otis Spann (piano), Sammy Lawhorn (guitar), Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson (bass), and Francis Clay (drums). What came out at Coast Recorders on April 25, 1966 is presented on this 17-track disc including seven previously unreleased cuts. From the low-down gutbucket blues of "Black Rat," and "Big Mama's Shuffle" (featuring both Thornton and James Cotton engaging in a battle of the harps), to the hazy, late-night atmosphere of "Life Goes On," "Since I Fell for You," and "I Feel the Way I Feel," all of this material is absolutely timeless. One can only imagine what would have happened if Big Mama's hopes of recording a gospel album with this band had been fulfilled.