Big Mama THORNTON & Chicago All Stars & Muddy Water’s Blues Band 1965-1966

Big Mama THORNTON & Chicago All Stars & Muddy Water’s Blues Band 1965-1966
(2Cds)
Label: Arhoolie Records
Audio CD: (August 3, 2004)

Blues

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.
By Al Campbell, All Music Guide.
**
IN EUROPE - 1965
Recorded in London, October 20, 1965.

Big Mama Thornton- Vocals, Harmonica on tracks 8 & 9 and Drums on track 9 & 10
Shakey Horton- Harmonica on tracks 4, 5, 8 & 10
Eddie Boyd- Piano & Organ
Buddy Guy- Guitar
Jimmy Lee Robinson- Bass
Fred Below- Drums
Fred McDowell- Guitar on track 6 & 7
**
01. Swing It On Home
02. Sweet Little Angel
03. Little Red Rooster
04. Unlucky Girl
05. Hound Dog
06. My Heavy Road
07. School Boy
08. Down-Home Shakedown
09. Your Love Is Where It Ought To Be
10. Session Blues
**
With Muddy Water’s Blues Band - 1966
Recorded in San Francisco, April 25, 1966

Big Mama Thornton- Vocals and Drums on track 15
James Cotton- Harmonica
Muddy Waters- Guitar
Sammy Lowhom- Guitar
Luther Johnson- Bass
Francis Clay- Drums
**
11. I’m Feeling Alright
12. Sometimes I Have A Heartache
13. Black Rat
14. Life Goes On
15. Everything Gonna Be Alright
16. Bumble Bee
17. Looking The World Over
18. I Feel The Way I Feel
19. My Love
**
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