Customer Reviews

With the Muddy Waters Blues Band 1966

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
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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

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.

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.

Im new to listening to the Blues, I have purchased about 14 CD's to build up my Blues selection. Muddy Waters, Little Milton, and Jhon Lee Hooker are some of (The Greats) that I have within my collection. I was not fammiliar with Big Mama Thornton as Blues singer, but to my surprise I was extremely empressed with this entire CD. From the first track (I'm Feeling Alright) to the last (Big Mama's Blues (My Love),is non stop Blues album which knocked me off of my feet.I am telling you, will not be disappointed with the purchase or the quality of sound on this Cd..

BIG MAMA THORNTON WITH MUDDY WATERS BLUES BAND 1966 IS THE BEST BLUES ALBUM ON THE MARKET BY FAR.
SHE IS TO BLUES WHAT TAMMY WYNETTE IS TO COUNTRY MUSIC.ITS SAD THAT ALL THE GREAT SINGERS HAVE PASSED
AWAY AND WE ARE LEFT WITH AMERICAN IDOL NO TALENTS.

I bought this for a friend for his birthday and I wish that I had kept it for myself--it's THAT GOOD!!! This is the best sounding Big Mama Thornton recording that I have heard to date, and that is saying a lot. She finally had a backing band that came close to the quality of her singing! It is unfortunate that she so rarely recorded with quality backing musicians - for me this has a strong negative effect on most of her currently available music, no matter the format. Buy this cd and you will quickly understand what I mean; this one is definitely worth the money!!!!!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED