Track Listing

1. Don't Start Me Talking
2. The Creeper
3. I've Got a Feeling
4. Cotton Crop Blues
5. Fatuation
6. How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong?
7. Rocket 88
8. Blues in My Sleep
9. River's Invitation
10. All Walks of Life
11. Hold Me Baby
12. Blues for the Hook

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #59702 in Music
• Released on: 2002-05-28
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
The harmonica may seem to deserve a Most Unassuming Instrument award, but in the highly capable hands of James Cotton, it acquires all the virtuosity of a finely made violin. In addition, the former Muddy Waters harpist deserves recognition for leading one of the longest-running blues bands around, and that's exactly what this album is. From the sweet and tender to the rousing and raucous, 35th Anniversary Jam gathers some of the brightest lights in blues for the celebration. Kenny Neal is here, sounding even throatier than usual as he kicks things off with "Don't Start Me Talking." Bobby Rush does vocal duty on a mellow, lyrical "Fatuation"; and Syl Johnson and Jimmie Vaughan, team up for an old-time rock & roll-styled "Rocket 88." From Koko Taylor to Kim Wilson, this album is a star-studded delight, with Cotton's stellar harmonica woven through it all and one of the tightest backing bands in the business providing support. A special treat is the closing track, "Blues for the Hook," wherein Cotton and Vaughan team up for a moving instrumental tribute. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews

A Fitting Tribute to "Mr. Superharp" Himself...
James Cotton is unquestionably one of the greatest blues harmonica players of the 20th century. This album, with all of the guest artists who perform on it, is a fitting tribute to the man, the myth, "Mr. Superharp" himself. As other reviewers have said, who needs to sing when you have guests like Shemekia Copeland (whose voice is so powerful it will knock you right on your butt!), Kim Wilson, Koko Taylor, Kenny Neal, Bobby Rush and others who can do it for you - especially if you blow the harmonica as only Cotton can! Long live this great blues harp godfather!

Put's Many Young Harp Player's To Shame!
Despite throat surgery a couple of years ago, Cotton's harp playing is in fine form for this 35th Anniversary Jam. Besides, who needs to sing when you have a long list of friends that can ably handle those duties for you. On this release, Tab Benoit, Shemekia Copeland, Ronnie Hawkins, Maria Muldaur, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Bobby Rush, Kim Wilson and Jimmie Vaughan join Cotton on his best release in a number of years. While all of the guests are excellent, it's the strong and passionate blowing of Cotton that jumps out at you on every track. Great stuff.

Triumph
Cotton may have lost his pipes, but he hasn't lost his chops. This album is a beauty, boasting great vocals from folks like Kenny Neal, Koko Taylor, Shemekia Copeland, and Maria Muldaur. But the real treat is Cotton's harp playing, strong as ever. No new material here. Nearly everything is Cotton-composed classics, but it all shines.