James Cotton and Phil Chess

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 17 Mar 2017 10:17 am

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... 81-w472545

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... 95-w445639

James Cotton replaced Little Walter in Muddy Water' band after Walter left. I saw the band, with Cotton,in 1966.

Who among us has not owned a record by Muddy, or Howling Wolf, or Chuck Berry or Bo Diddley or Etta James? Chess records has already earned its place in history.

Bruce Meyer · Post by **Bruce Meyer** » 18 Mar 2017 7:34 am

RIP to and a big thank you to both Cotton and Chess from this ex-Chicagoan who was drawn into the blues by guys like these in the 60's. Cotton remained great right up to his last CD just a few years ago.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 18 Mar 2017 8:11 am

Jimmy Cotton used to bring his band to the Check-mate coffee house in Detroit 3 or 4 times per year in the late 60s-early 70s. Junior Wells/Buddy Guy played the same place too............... But the best blues show I ever saw in Detroit (or anywhere, for that matter) was "The Battle off the Kings". Freddy, followed by Albert with BB closing out the night. Each act played with their own band

Tiny Olson · Post by **Tiny Olson** » 18 Mar 2017 3:18 pm

When I wasn't driving the tour bus back in the 70s and 80s, I'd listen to cassettes on a Walkman in my bunk that I made up from the vinyl while in off the road. Those tapes were often James Cotton, Otis Span, Otis Rush and later, Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows. I had the album, "Chicago, The Blues Today" made up on a cassette too.

I loved James Cotton and I'm sorry to hear and read of his passing. I'm glad though that he was able to give the music for a long time.

RIP and God bless you Mr. Cotton. I still, to this day listen to you often.

Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" Olson

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 18 Mar 2017 3:36 pm

Sad news. I saw James Cotton perform several times here in western Mass. back in the early 70s. He was the real deal. A true blues legend.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 18 Mar 2017 4:05 pm

James was the real deal. Saw him several times in the late 60s and early 70s, with Muddy and also with his own band. Saw him several times later, and got to open up for him when I got back into playing again. Chuck Berry and James on the same couple of days?? Please?!

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Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 18 Mar 2017 5:00 pm

Sad to hear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMeN7fYLjnY

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 18 Mar 2017 5:07 pm

Dave Mudgett wrote:Chuck Berry and James on the same couple of days?? Please?!

Not to mention Phil Chess. I admit I thought Chess had passed away some time ago.

I think I saw James in the early 70s in Long Beach CA--not sure because it was a seriously alcohol-fueled night. All I really remember about the night was seeing Joe Turner jump into Lowell Fulson's Cadillac to get away when the show was over.

Here's Muddy, Spann, and James in 1956 in Florida somewhere. I'm hoping Muddy is wearing pajamas, but maybe not.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 18 Mar 2017 9:17 pm

Not to mention Phil Chess. I admit I thought Chess had passed away some time ago.

Actually - Phil died last October, and Mike posted an obit in Gone Home back then - http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=307843

Ironically, the obits for Chuck and Phil were left in Gone Home, but someone felt the need to move this one for James to Music. As much as I love Chuck, I think that I feel an even closer kinship to James and his music.

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 20 Mar 2017 7:47 am

So sad to read about James Cotton's passing.

As a kid growing up in Chicago, James Cotton was in frequent rotation on my phonograph. When most of my peers were listening to the Beatles, etc. I was listening to James Cotton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter Jacobs, Big Walter Horton, 'One-Arm' John Wrencher (aka) Big John Wrencher, Jeff Carp, et al. Here are two of my favorite recordings by James Cotton from the album that Tiny Olsen has mentioned. BTW, they feature the late great Otis Spann on piano:
"Rocket 88"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2qgTkeNPuw

"Love Me or Leave Me"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lukvNHglDg

R.I.P. James

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

J Fletcher · Post by **J Fletcher** » 21 Mar 2017 4:57 am

James Cotton was one of the greats for sure. For me , he was at his best on the Chicago Blues Today cuts. My favourite James Cotton playing. Killer tone , and he was really playing his a$$ off. Loved the way he manipulated his sound with the mic and amp. Great bluesy , gravelly voice too.
I was at the Miami Pop Festival in the winter of '68 , be about 16 , and heard Cotton for the first time. I was sitting in the grass looking at the stage , band came on and started playing , Watermellon Man I think, and then Cotton started blowing. But he was not on stage yet , he must have been in the wings. I had never heard anything like it , and didn't even know what that sound was until he came onto the stage. It was a pretty dramatic entrance, and my introduction to the whole Chicago blues sound. Remember Luther Tucker on guitar but not much else. Never forgot that moment.
Saw James Cotton a few times after that , in the '70's when he used to play "Fryfogles", a club in my hometown. Had Matt Murphy with him then , and they were real high energy.
The man had Tone!

Michael Lee Allen · Post by **Michael Lee Allen** » 4 Apr 2017 10:16 am

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Ollin Landers · Post by **Ollin Landers** » 5 Apr 2017 4:03 am

I first saw James Cotton in 1973. I went to a Johnny Winter concert with James as the opener. And yes he had Matt Murphy with him.

What a show for die hard fans of rocking blues. During the Winter set he had James come out and jam with him.

I managed to sneak backstage trying to meet either of them. But couldn't get close enough to do so. There was a lot of stuff going on backstage after that show.

I still have the now out of print "Taking Care of Business" album. I'ts almost worn out from listening to "Long Distance Operator". One of these days I'll try to digitize it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRSHFpo2mO4

I learned a lot of licks from that tune.