Customer Reviews

Ball N' Chain

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4 star:		(2)
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Although these are not as powerful as her Peacock recordings of teh 50's, one should not overlook her Arhoolie sides fro mthe mid 60's(to late 60's). Ball b' Chail is a classic, as well as the Gospel tinged Wade In The Water and Sweet Little Angel(covered fro meveryone from BB King to Etta James). This is a powerfu lset of rockin' blues, and a couple of slower ones too ,but for the most part this is great jump blues and the msuic swings, stomps, and jumps, as well as rocks! Even the slower stuff rocks! Big Mama dodn't recrd too much that wasn't worth listening to ,and aside from her Peacock recordingd. these are her msot essential sides, and are a major highlight of a long lustrious career as a blues diva! Also Mama Thornton has influenced everyone from rock singer Janis Joplin to new blues diva Candye Kane. Thornton was a powerful singer, and this cd should not be overlooked, and should be essential to blues fans. Even myself, strictly a fan of rockabilly music, love all of Thornton's work from the 50's and 60s'.

Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton was much more than the originator of "Hound Dog" - she was one of the greatest Blues singers. She could be fun and sassy, and could also be plaintive and emotional. After Bessie Smith and before Koko Taylor, there was Big Mama Thornton.

BALL `N' CHAIN consists of 16 songs recorded 1965-1968 (tracks 1-8 in 1965; 9-14 in 1966; 15 & 16 in 1968). Disc packaged in black jewel case; total running time: 61:50. Booklet includes an essay by Chris Strachwitz, several black & white photos, and track information (songwriter credits, musician personnel, recording dates). Sound quality is good.

These are re-recordings of songs Thornton had previously recorded, including "Ball N' Chain", a song that was notably recorded by Janis Joplin. Tracks 1-8 feature Buddy Guy on Guitar. Tracks 9-14 recorded with Muddy Waters Blues Band (and also issued on Arhoolie's 2004 release "Big Mama Thornton with the Muddy Waters Blues Band - 1966"). Noteworthy are Thornton's complaints on "Unlucky Girl" about being followed by the FBI everywhere she goes.

This may be the Blues, but it is a joy to listen to. Thornton sings Blues ballads and fun up-tempo songs. I hesitate to call it "country Blues" because it just seems too sophisticated to be called that. Whatever it is, it's beautiful.

"Big Mama" is truly a legend. I've listened to this CD many many many times and each times I'm surprised by how much I enjoy it. There are several slower tunes, but if you've got the rhythm in your soul I don't think you'll be disappointed (in particular "Wade in the Water"). I myself enjoy hearing different versions of different songs so i found BB King's Sweet Little Angel (I don't know if it was his originally but that's where I knew it from) and the Janis Joplin standard Ball and Chain to be wonderful.

On that note - Ball and Chain is - as thornton does it - a different and nonetheless amazing song.

This cd features Mig mama Thornton hollerin' her way thru a versitile set of jump blues, slow drags, and rockin' blues. Although if you want to make a 1st purchase of Mama thornton start with Hound Dog-The Peackock Recording, as a 2nd purchase you can't go wrong with these somewhat later sessions. Lot's of fun, rough and roudy blues.

Big Mama --the best of the black, southern, gut-bucket female blues singers/composers. Backed by some of the best guitars of the time, like Muddy Waters. Strong, melodius voice. Great rhythm. Sexy, just too sexy, take your breathe away and send you looking. An education for anyone listening to rap.

Brilliant!
Big Mama's powerful vocal is accompanied by some really, REALLY, strong musical groups; including Muddy Waters' band on several classical interpretations ("I'm Feeling Alfight", "Sometimes I have a Heartache", "Black Rat"...).
My other favorites on this CD are, probably, "Unlucky girl" and "Little Red Rooster" (with Buddy Guy, Walter Horton and others) and, even more probably, the best of them all, erotically highly charged "School Boy" (with only instrument being the sugestive and even eerie guitar of Fred McDowell)...
Some songs ("Swing it on home"...) unfortunately cross the line of R/B and approach rock 'n' roll, but it is only minor problem on this brilliant CD... Every unce of blues this lady carries is worth hearing!

Great songwriter ("Sweet Little Angel"...) and great interpreter, Big Mama Thornton is one of the best blues musicians I've encountered so far...
Oh yes, what was the name of that movie star hip-shaking white boy who also tried to sing Leiber and Stoller's "Hound Dog"?

When Janis Joplin electrified the folk/blues scene with her incredibly propelled version of Big Mama Thorton's "Ball & Chain," I really wanted to hear more from the source. Unfortunately it wasn't until recently that I listened to this CD that features "Ball & Chain." I was surprised at the high quality of the entire CD--and also a little surprised how "modern" Willie Mae "Big Mama" sounded on the CD. I don't know, I guess I was expecting more in the line of an anthology, archival performance in the way of Bessie Smith recordings (and I am serious Bessie Smith fan too.)

Willie Mae originated "Hound Dog" that was later such a hit for Elvis. Elvis' version is great, but I prefer the original.

Legendary Muddy Waters accompanies on five tunes.

As for "Ball & Chain," you can really hear the influence the original had on Janis Joplin--and how Janis also made it her own.

This is CD is hardcore blues delivered in Big Mama's light, almost delicate style.

No, there's nothing "almost" about it. Big Mama Thorton's blues phraseology is both strong & unequivocally delicate.

Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thorton is one of the blues Greats, sharing the galaxy with other blues/jazz devas like Billie Holiday & Etta James.

Jail
Big Mama Thornton in Europe
The Complete Vanguard Recordings
Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings
All the Way
Let's Roll
The Essential Bessie Smith
Greatest Hits
Bessie Smith: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1
Cheap Thrills
Pearl
I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again, Mama

Years ago, I used to see Big Mama Thornton when she played with Muddy Waters and Canned Heat at Liberty Hall in Houston, Texas. She was/is unforgettable. On this album and also Jail, she is accompanied by some great musicians. They are great albums. Musicians such as Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin covered her songs. The work of some blues greats, such as Billie Holiday, diminished in their later years. Willie Mae's did not. You won't go wrong getting this album.

I'm not that familiar with her work, but I enjoyed this CD a lot. I will probably get some more of her earlier work. If you love Blues, then you can't go wrong with this one.

There just ain't enough stars in the universe when it comes to
rating Big Moma Thorton.