With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1966

Big Mama Thornton | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 3, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arhoolie Records
• ASIN: B0002B160K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,208 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 1966 San Francisco Studio Session, January 10, 2007

By 

Truth "Truth24-7" (DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1966 (Audio CD)

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.

BIG MAMA THORNTON WITH THE MUDDY WATERS BLUES BAND - 1966 consists of 17 songs recorded April 25, 1966 at Coast Recorders in San Francisco, CA. Disc packaged in black jewel case; total running time 63:50. Booklet includes essays by Chris Strachwitz, Philip Elwood, and Ralph J. Gleason; three black & white photographs; and track information (songwriter credits, musician personnel). Sound quality is good.

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 previously appeared on Arhoolie's 1989 release "Ball `N' Chain". There are alternate versions of "I'm Feeling Alright", "Black Rat", and "Gimme a Penny". "Big Mama's Shuffle" (track 14) is an instrumental track. Tracks 11-17 are previously unreleased.

This is a really nice collection. It is a must-have for Blues fans, especially anyone who likes Big Mama Thornton

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This kind of blues makes life worth living, June 22, 2009

By 

Still Rockin (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1966 (Audio CD)

The powerful Muddy Waters Blues Band of 1966 and the energy of Big Mama Thornton's vocals are a dynamite combination. Listen to a lot of Muddy and you might take the band for granted. Listen to this lineup of musicians with someone else and you realize this was portable, hot blues. Impeccable timing and understanding of smoldering nuance. Muddy was the master of timing and nuance. But Thornton was a powerful, important blues singer. And this was a great combination. Continual pleasure. Great blues. A thousand cuts above good. More power in a pause here than in an entire heavy metal concert.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great blues record, January 21, 2011

By 

Greg (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1966 (Audio CD)

This is a very good record. The band is crisp but loose, providing hot grooves for Thornton to work with and sneaking in hot licks and fills while she belts. And Big Mama Thornton herself is in fine vocal form here, just absolutley killing it. Her voice reaches out and slaps you, ensuring she has nothing less than your full attention. Serious blues fans should pick this record up. And be sure to explore Arhoolie Records' catalog, there are literally dozens and dozens of gems nearly every bit as good as this.