James Cotton November 14, 1997 - Brewbakers Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

After two numbers that left most of us in awe, out walks Rico McFarland who took the seat at the far right of the stage. He tore it up as he tore into "Tore Down" with such abandon you could almost see the sparks fly off the strings. This guy plays "fast" with a very distinctive sound. Again we were left a little speechless when the announcer introduced James Cotton who strolled out on stage wearing his bib overalls and blowing his harmonica as he took the third chair on stage. His sound was clear and precise, and he was in a fun mood shooting us some hilarious facial expressions and great eye rolls. When he grinned he lit up the room! After Cotton’s first instrumental, veteran blues singer Darrell Nulisch came out and took the final and fourth chair. The set up was like watching a group of musicians sitting up on the front porch dishing out some outstanding down home blues.

Early on Cotton had a problem with the monitors and was really giving the sound man hell, even getting up several times to walk over to the sound board.

James Cotton November 14, 1997 - Brewbakers Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

It sounded great to us so he must have had some trouble hearing himself at the right level in the monitors. It was actually pretty funny watching his little tantrum. That was soon forgotten though as Cotton and company put on one of the best blues shows I have seen in some time. They performed material from his new acoustic album and many of the classic Chicago blues including several of the songs Cotton recorded with Muddy Waters during the mid 1950’s when he held down the coveted harmonica chair in Muddy’s band. When he did "Sweet Home Chicago" he got up and did a little dance, shaking his booty before he grinned in embarrassment, shook his head and sat back down. A rousing version of "Rocket 88" followed that served as a great showcase for Cotton’s masterful harp playing.

James Cotton November 14, 1997 - Brewbakers Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

Cotton played harmonica with great rhythm and intensity. He was punching out those piercing high register runs and dove into his playing with a pristine full blown tonal range making even the simplest riff sound impressive. Cotton has been quoted as saying "On some nights I suck the keys right out of the harp and spit them right in my hand," he laughs. During one recent session he blew the top right off his harmonica - "just getting warmed up" said Cotton. As evidence of his power, two bulging 30-gallon Hefty bags full of ravaged harmonicas sit in his basement.

Cotton could barely talk, the result of throat surgery several years ago, so Darrell Nulisch took over the singing responsibility turning in a superb performance. Dallas native Nulisch sang and played harmonica with Robert Ealey in 1974 before co-founding and fronting the Anson Funderburg band in 1978.

George "Mojo" Buford November 14, 1997 - Brewbakers Photo © 1997 by Ray Stiles All rights reserved

Local blues harmonica legend Mojo Buford was in the house and came up for a song toward the end of the show. This was pretty amazing to see two of the harmonica players from the Muddy Waters bands on the same stage. I only wish they would have traded some harp licks, but I guess that was reserved for their after-show, all night partying.

This was high energy, foot stomping, down and dirty blues harmonica by one of the masters who helped define the amplified harmonica sound in the early days of electrified Chicago blues. Cotton, along with Big Walter Horton, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) and Junior Wells were some of the architects of this remarkable sound.

James Cotton November 14, 1997 - Brewbakers Photo © 1997 by Ray Stiles All rights reserved

Cotton actually spent part of his childhood living with and learning from Sonny Boy Williamson. In 1944 Cotton, then age 9, was raised by Sonny Boy until he was15 -- what an education that must have been. He then spent 4 years playing with Howlin Wolf and the next 12 years with the legendary Muddy Waters. Cotton recorded on such memorable Muddy Waters classics as "Got My Mojo Working," "She’s Nineteen Years Old," and "Walking Through the Park." In 1966 he struck out on his own and helped bring his high energy blues to a whole new general of blues fans. He spent many years playing with Matt "Guitar" Murphy and is still riding high on the success of his 1997 Grammy award and new CD "Deep In The Blues." If you were at the show I’m sure you have some great memories.

E-mail Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

Table of Contents:
Return To Home Page | Calendar | Spotlight | Live Reviews | New Reviews | Photo Gallery
CD Reviews | New CD Releases | Blues Links | Blues Bios | Blues Artists | Blues Clubs | Blues Jams

Free web pages from GeoCities