Customer Reviews

Deep in the Blues

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

James Cotton is a master harp-player. Typical blues reflects contemporary jazz through the turn-taking of the musicians. The guitarist soloes, then the harpist, then a singer. That is not the case here. James Cotton shows no fear on the harp and interjects whenever he feels a tinge of emotion, which is often. The resulting sound is so complete and moving that I have ranked this CD to be one of the best blues albums ever. You got my nose open, James.

I first saw James Cotton perform in the early 1960's. It was a memorable concert that repeatedly comes to mind even after 30 plus years. Since that time I have purchased many Cotton CD's and have, on the whole, been relatively happy with my selections. Prior to this purchase, it had been approximately 5 years since my last Cotton CD.

After buying the CD I took it to work and yes, popped it into my computer. After listening intently I was instantly disappointed. In my opinion, this performance falls far short of Cotton's earlier CD's, most notably "High Compression". A couple of days later, I read an article in a blues magazine which indicated that Cotton had recorded this disc shortly after throat surgery. The disc was not highly recommended (I hate when that happens!).

Out of curiosity, I visited this site to see what others thought of the CD. As expected there were mixed reviews. Like with pepperoni pizza, individual taste in music varies. I did however, read with curiosity the suggestion by one reviewer that the CD would sound appreciably better (5 stars) by playing it on an audiophile quality system. Perhaps a smooth jazz snob crossing over to bluesland.

Blues music you see, was born in the fields, on back porches and in juke joints with makeshift instruments and low quality recording devices. The music went and goes well with whiskey, beer and bar-b-que. Most blues musicians learned the songs by ear, often by playing 45's and vinyl lp's on portable record players. Would the great Robert Johnson sound better on a high quality stereo? Is it really the size of a man's speakers that matter? I think not!

In any event, I took my CD to a friends house. Stereophonically speaking, he is very well endowed. I loaded the Cd on his Meridian 500 CD player and listened through his Klipsch LaScala speakers. Not surprisingly, the CD did not sound any better. Perhaps the cables need upgrading! In any event, I recommend "High Compression" as a better alternative. Its been tested in my car, york boom box, dell computer and my friends HIFI system. It sounds consistently good on any system. Check it out.

This is a sad work! The combination of the great harmonica performance of Cotton's deep blues style,with the jazzist style of the two other men,Haden on bass and Joe Louis on guitar,only could result on this really sad work! But this work must be understood as a conceptual downhome blues,and the sad sensation that seems to be at all the tracks reveals how hardly were that days of slavers and workers at cotton picks along the Mississipi River borders!This is an excelent way to feel that sentiments,only a giant like James Cotton could bring to us! Really a gem,a masterpiece of this old bluesman! Thank you James for this class of blues and it's roots!

How can I sing enough praises for this album? It is simply one of the finest traditional blues albums created in years. Anyone who is a blues fan, a Cotton fan, or is just new to the blues, must have this in their collection. The songs --with the exception of Vinyard Blues and Ozark Mountain Railroad, which are an instrumentals-- have a smooth, easy feel. Deep In The Blues is a masterpiece because the tone remains constant from begining to end. Never is there a song that seems misplaced. It is also exelent in its simplicty of form. The album feels as though it was recorded on Cotton's porch instead of in a studio. This album almost seems like Cotton's reflection on his career and life. I could go on and on about this album, but the real reason to purchace Deep In The Blues is that Cotton is a great harp player with exelent musicians at his side in this project. Through Deep In The Blues, Cotton shows the listener his roots in Southern traditional blues through his soul, his music.

Like settin on the back step while James and his friends do their thing. The old boy is one of those rare ones who gets right inside you with his gravel-voiced blues. Worth the price and then some. A great CD for blues lovers.

I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CD. WHILE I KNEW THAT JAMES COTTON HAS ADVANCED IN YEARS, I THOUGHT THAT THE ADDITION OF JAZZ BASSIST, CHARLIE HADEN AND BLUES GUITAR SLINGER JOE LOUIS WALKER COMBINED WITH COTTON'S HARP WOULD MAKE THIS A STANDOUT CD. IT DIDN'T. JOE LOUIS WALKER PLAYS A TONED DOWN ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND CHARLIE HADEN IS BARELY NOTICABLE. WHAT YOU END UP WITH IS JAMES COTTON BLOWIN A RATHER WEAK HARMONICA AND SINGING WITH AN AGED AND GRAVELY VOICE. IF YOU ARE INCLINED TO PURCHASE THIS DON'T DO IT IN RELIANCE ON THE SUPPORTING CAST. DO IT BECAUSE YOU LIKE JAMES COTTON. WHILE IT IS NOT BAD, I'D RECOMMEND PICKING OTHER EARLIER COTTON!