Search - James Cotton :: Best of Vanguard Years

Nice Contrast In Style!

deepbluereview | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA | 07/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cotton has played for many labels over his career, Vanguard being but one of those labels. This CD is basically a compilation of two excellent Vanguard recordings. Tracks 1 though 5 are from the album "Chicago/The Blues/Today Volume 2", which was recorded in 1966. Tracks 6 through 15 are from the album "Cut You Loose" which was recorded two years later in 1968. The bonus track, "Next Time You See Me" was previously unreleased. When listening to the CD you will notice two distinct styles. The first five tracks, Cotton performs with a stripped down band consisting only of James Madison on guitar, Otis Span on piano and S.P. Leary on drums. The sound is raw and Cottons harp shines on all tracks. Tracks 6 through 15, on the other hand, have more of a jazz feel to them. On these tracks, Cotton is joined by Martin Fierro on tenor and baritone sax, Joe Rodriquez on drums, Mike Fender on bass and trumpet, James Cook on guitar, Wayne Talbert on piano and organ and Eddie Williams on string bass. Listen, for example, to the bluesy instrumental "Coast Blues" and the jazzy "Negative 10-4" for a nice contrast in styles. On these tracks, Cotton's harp blends nicely with the horn arrangement that serves as its backdrop and "Ain't Nobody's Business" which seems to have a Ray Charles feel to it. This is an excellent compilation of Cotton's early material and shows his versatility and ability to play with whatever band situation he is placed in."

Pretty Good Early Cotton

Alex | Colorado | 08/05/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album is a nice look at Cotton during his early years of solo recording. It takes the five songs Cotton contributed to "Chicago The Blues Today!" vol. 2 and adds the entirety of "Cut You Loose" (thus rendering the old record obselete) plus a re-cut of "Next Time You See Me." Overall its a good record, but it lacks the driving energy Cotton would develop in the next decade. There is also a marked lack of harp lines which detracted from my enjoyment of the CD (he is, after all, one of the masters of the instrument). The material is good, but with the exception of "Cotton Crop Blues" and "Rocket 88" nothing truly spectacular occurs. Still, this makes for a fine introduction to some early Cotton material."