35th Anniversary Jam of the James Cotton Blues Band

1	Don't Start Me Talking / James Cotton Blues Band 3:26
2	The Creeper / James Cotton Blues Band 5:00
3	I've Got a Feeling / James Cotton Blues Band 4:56
4	Cotton Crop Blues / James Cotton Blues Band 4:09
5	Fatuation / James Cotton Blues Band 3:54
6	How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong? / James Cotton Blues Band 3:35
7	Rocket 88 / James Cotton Blues Band 3:02
8	Blues in My Sleep / James Cotton Blues Band 7:04
9	River's Invitation / James Cotton Blues Band 4:53
10	All Walks of Life / James Cotton Blues Band 2:28
11	Hold Me a Baby / James Cotton Blues Band 4:24
12	Blues for the Hook / James Cotton Blues Band Dedication to John Lee Hooker 6:09

Barnes & Noble

It’s been 35 years since harmonica player James Cotton left Muddy Waters’s band to go out on his own. His touring through both the lean and lush years has ravaged his singing voice, but it has only made Cotton’s harp licks stronger -- hence, the “Superharp” label often attached to his name. For his 35TH Anniversary Jam recording, the Chicago blues veteran invited a bunch of his friends to join him in the studio; but the limelight seldom leaves Cotton. Chicago blues queen Koko Taylor belts out “I’ve Got a Feeling” with Cotton’s harp warbling and wailing beside her. On young singing sensation Shamekia Copeland’s “How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong” the harp master goes from a precise and delicate solo to wide open blowing. For Cotton’s signature tune, “Cotton Crop Blues,” Lucky Peterson sings and plays lead guitar, but again it’s that hard-edged Chi-town harp that drives the tune. The harpist mellows to melodic blasts and single-note blows on “Fatuation,” which features the soulful singing of Bobby Rush. Even smoother are two instrumentals: “Blues in My Sleep,” with G.E. Smith on guitar, and “Blues for the Hook,” which features only Jimmie Vaughan’s guitar dueting with Cotton’s harp. Ronnie Hawkins, Kenny Neal, Kim Wilson, Tab Benoit, Sly Johnson, and Maria Muldaur also sit in with Cotton and his band, making this Jama set that crosses generations and genres while still showcasing the harp master at his best. Roberta Penn

All Music Guide

Don't complain that there are too many guests here -- that's what this jam was all about, inviting a bunch of friends and kindred spirits to jam in the studio during June of 2001. These musicians were here to salute not just the great James Cotton and his songs, but the long life of his classic James Cotton Blues Band, by playing some of their greatest songs and having a good time. And that's what this is -- a good jam session, performed with heart and vigor. Some of the guests might be a bit better than others, but the band is lively, there's more grit than you'd expect for an all-digital production, and Cotton has moments where he simply smokes. He's constantly a joy to hear; listen to how he breaks into "Jingle Bells" during "The Creeper" and try not to smile. Sure, this isn't the first James Cotton album you should get, or even the fifth, but if you've been a longtime fan, you'll have fun with this. Stephen Thomas Erlewine