Search - James Cotton :: High Compression

His Best

Alex | Colorado | 01/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At his peak, James Cotton's harmonica playing was unmatched by anyone dead or alive in terms of raw energy. This album captures his mighty harp and more with a simply splindid format. Half of the tracks place him with a supurb traditional blues band, while the other half line him up with a funkier group. The result is a sensational demonstration of Cotton's skills in singing and harp playing and his ability to play in both a standard blues format and a more modern combo. A must have for any Cotton or harp fan."

Great Blues Harp

Southern Man | Raleigh, NC | 02/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great Chicago Blues CD and a top notch outing in Blues Harmonica. To give it five stars it would have to rank with the all time classic Blues CDs and it's not quite that. But this is a thoroughly enjoyable recording of Chicago Blues. Much has been made of the fact that half the songs are with a traditional five man combo and the other half are with a larger ensemble that includes sax, trumpet, trombone. Honestly, the whole album works together seamlessly, don't get hung up on that.

The CD starts off with great energy on the opening track "Diggin' My Potatoes". Cotton's voice and harp - and the band's support - are in great form here and that feeling is sustained throughout the CD. The energy of great Blues playing, that's often so elusive on recordings, is not lacking here. One of my favorite tracks is 23 Hours Too Long ( is there a better line in the Blues than "She's been gone 24 hours, and that's 23 hours too long"? ) But the instrumental title track really smokes. If you're even a casual fan of Blues Harmonica, you need this CD for that track alone. A real stunner.

You're most likely to enjoy this CD if you like Junior Wells, Little Walter, Buddy Guy."

****1/4 - sheer power!

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 06/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The great James Cotton is over 70 now, and he has been battling serious throat problems for a long time, but even though his once impressive vocal power is largely gone, he is still a commanding presence on stage, and his abilities with the harmonica are undiminished.



This 1984 album is one of his finest, along with 1974's "100% Cotton"...his raspy voice has plenty of character, and his playing is magnificent, all quivering fills and muscular riffs.

James Cotton shines on the slow burner "23 Hours Too Long", perhaps the best rendition of Eddie Boyd's classic tune, and he is equally magnificent on up-tempo numbers like "Diggin' My Potatoes" and "Superharp", the groovy swagger of "Ying Yang" and "No Cuttin' Loose", the fiery instrumental "High Compression", and the supremely catchy boogie of "No More Doggin'".



Cotton is backed (by never overwhelmed) by a soul-flavoured horn ensemble on a handful of these tracks...the rest are recorded in a more traditional setting with the Chicago All-stars (that's how they're billed), i.e. Aron Burton, Robert Covington, Morris "Magic Slim" Holt, and the great Joe "Pinetop" Perkins on piano.

James Cotton is equally convincing as a gritty soul shouter on "Easy Loving" and "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" as he is performing more traditional Chicago blues, and this album remains one of the finest of his 50-year career. One of the finest electric blues records of the mid-80s, indeed."