kudzurunner
492 posts
Jun 04, 2009
12:48 PM
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Koko Taylor passed away late last night at age 80, a couple of weeks after surgery.
Great singer, but that's not why I'm posting. I'm posting because WBGO just played a cut of hers on which James Cotton was blowing harp, and it just occurred to me that he's the only living player on my Top-10 all-time list. There aren't that many guys around who learned by having Sonny Boy Williamson kick them around a cotton field, but Cotton is one.
Nobody lives forever. If you haven't seen Cotton play live, do yourself a favor and make a point of checking him out next chance you get, even if it means driving 150 miles to do so.
With older players like this, it's not really about their technique any more; regardless of whether they put on an inspired show, it's about being in their presence and knowing that you've had a first-person experience of a piece of blues history.
Needless to say, if you haven't ever caught Honeyboy Edwards or B. B. King in action, you should drop whatever you're doing and make it to their next show.
Nobody lives for ever.
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RyanMortos
189 posts
Jun 04, 2009
1:02 PM
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I was able to catch B.B. King a few months ago. Really enjoyed the show (but not the venue).
I have tickets to the Pocono's Blues Fest in July, James Cotton is headlining!
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Bb
54 posts
Jun 04, 2009
1:02 PM
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True dat. I met Junior Wells backstage when I was 18. Will always remember that.
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snakes
250 posts
Jun 04, 2009
1:06 PM
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Saw Koko a couple years ago, Pinetop Perkins a couple years ago, Johnny Dyer, Cotton a couple years ago and in January, and Buddy Guy last month (as well as a few years before). I second the motion from Adam. Buddy was the only one who really tore it up of the talent I saw, but then again the point was obviously not to expect them at their prime given their age. Seeing history has its reward in and of itself. Oh yeah, although he may not be a legend - he is old - I saw T-Model Ford in a bar here in Seattle a couple of months ago. The man likes his Jack Daniel's. I'll never forget the couple of gals who looked to be attired in a type of tatooed rocker's style who more or less fought over his attention. I was wondering whether he actually liked that or not. He did have a constant smile and they did dance rather provocatively while he was playing...
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XHarp
64 posts
Jun 04, 2009
1:21 PM
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For sure. Caught Cotton's show at Jeff Healey's bar one night a few years back. The stage was at floor level and he played to the crowd. During breaks he mingled a bit with the crowd, wasn't singing at all anymore, Darrel Nulisch took that task on, but just to shake Cotton's hand and have him say a few raspy words to your face was amazing.
I had a similar experience with Pinetop Perkin's. We were sitting in the foyer of the Silver Dollar room in Toronto waiting for the show to start. He came ambling out of the back looking for a little fresh air. Next thing I know he's sitting beside me and we're just talking about the blues and life and things. He told us how he started out playing the guitar but got knifed in the left arm by a jealous lady in a juke joint one night and after that he had to play piano because he couldn't hold the guitar right anymore. He was laughing and joking with us for about 30 minutes. Made mention of it when he got on stage that night too.
I missed seeing Muddy, Koko and others but I'm damn glad I got to see Pinetop, Jeff Healey, BB and James Cotton in settings like that.
Sure keeps the blues alive.
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"Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2009 1:22 PM
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jaymcc28
58 posts
Jun 04, 2009
1:32 PM
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As mentioned in a post a few months back Mr. Cotton came through my area and played a small room. The place was PACKED and it was a great show. As XHarp said, he no longer sings, just sits in his chair, wails out his hits, calls out the solos and looks like he's loving life. In between sets he sat in a back corner with his lovely wife and rested.
I shook the man's hand prior to the show and expressed my gratitude for his inspiration and music. He had a few raspy words and a smile.
My wife met up with his wife in the ladies room prior to the show as she was rinsing his harps. They made some basic small talk. Between sets we were waiting in line to buy a signed CD and some joker in front of us complained at the price of the CD. Next thing I know my wife (no shrinking violet) and Mr. Cotton's wife are in the guys face verbally putting him in his place! He paid, walked away and the three of us laughed. Classic.
At the end of the night I actually found myself getting misty-eyed over the whole experience and it wasn't just me. The MC for the show said something along the lines of "I can't help but feel that we just witnessed history". Very true.
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sopwithcamels266
90 posts
Jun 04, 2009
1:47 PM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxCa16-nxtM&feature=related
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The Gloth
78 posts
Jun 04, 2009
1:59 PM
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It's by that clip I discovered Koko Taylor few months ago. I hired her best of, lots of great songs mostly written by Willie Dixon, and their duo "Insane Asylum" has stuck in my head until now. Very inspiring stuff. She was great, peace to her.
The greatest bluesman I saw was probably John Hammond Jr, at a festival some 20 years ago. He played alone a steel guitar, singing and playing harp, tapping his foot. Precise memories have faded since, but I can recall the great impression I had that time.
Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2009 2:05 PM
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rustywater
52 posts
Jun 04, 2009
2:31 PM
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Coco was another legend who has departed this life, if you love blues then you cant help but feel sad.
I saw B.B King a couple of years back in Essen, Germany, it was very emotional to see such a blues icon in the flesh, in spite of his age his vocals and persona were wonderful. It bought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion.
Last year I saw Johnny Winter at the same venue which was brilliant, but what really got me was when he played a Muddy Waters riff and it felt like the great man was there, the old hairs on the back of the neck were really standing up then, amazing experience.
As for Cotton I'll have to drive more than 150 miles to see that bugger, but one day, one day....
The other blues man still touring at 97 is Pinetop Perkins, has anyone seen him recently
Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2009 2:36 PM
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bluzlvr
203 posts
Jun 04, 2009
2:32 PM
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I got to see Koko Taylor several times at the Long Beach Blues festival and she never failed to get the entire audience up and dancing.
She always had an awesome, razor-tight band with her that bordered on rock and roll.
To me, she was kind of like the Albert Collins of blues singers. One note and you know who it is.
Adam is right about seeing some of these older blues guys before they're gone forever.
I've been lucky enough to see Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, Jr Wells, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy, Snooky Pryor, James Cotton, (when he sang and when he didn't)and many more thanks in part to the festivals.
I'll never forget seeing B.B.King and Ray Charles jamming together at the end of one concert.
I'll always regret passing up opportunities to see Stevie Ray Vaughn. I only saw him once in a pretty lousy venue...
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XHarp
65 posts
Jun 05, 2009
5:42 AM
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rustywater,
"As for Cotton I'll have to drive more than 150 miles to see that bugger, but one day, one day...."
150 miles or 1500 miles, beg, borrow or steal the car, whatever, but make the pilgrimage. Its worthy of the experience.
He can still play the harp as if he was a much younger man.
My experience with Pinetop - He was 92.
bluzlvr, Jr. Wells is one of my favourite harp players but I never got to see him live. When you saw him, was he playing with Buddy Guy? To me that was the epitomy of blues duets. Buddy and Jr. Great mix and they played off each other extremely well. Two confident and well polished blues musicians.
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"Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
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Bb
55 posts
Jun 05, 2009
2:13 PM
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Albert Collins was my first live blues show. He had just released Cold Snap. He walked the audience with a long-ass guitar cord. Got his sweat on me. He was fucking cool.
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bluzlvr
204 posts
Jun 05, 2009
2:29 PM
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@XHarp. The first time I saw both Jr and Buddy was together. It was unforgetable.
It took place at the late Palamino club in North Hollywood, California and the place was the most crowded it had ever been. We were lucky enough to procure a good sro spot near the bar.
I've since seen Buddy Guy a number of times and managed to see Jr once more before he passed.
@Bb I saw Albert Collins for the first time at the Whiskey in Hollywood.
He got off the stage during one number and went out the front door and down Sunset Blvd. with a guy walking behind him to manage the chord. How cool is that?!
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Bb
56 posts
Jun 05, 2009
2:51 PM
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Fucking cool. That's how cool that is.
Heading out to L.A. in a couple weeks. Any good (Not House of Blues) blues venues out there?
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bluzlvr
206 posts
Jun 05, 2009
3:10 PM
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Bb. Yeah, we got lots of blues venues out here.
Heres the site for my local club, Cozys:
http://www.cozysblues.com/
And here's the Southland Blues site which lists lots of places in the Blues Guide:
http://www.southlandblues.com/
You're right. Very little blues to be found at the House of Blues.
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Bb
57 posts
Jun 05, 2009
5:45 PM
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@ bluzlvr:
Yeah, HOB not really a blues haven.
Thanks for the link.
Was hoping to catch somebody like Rod Piazza or somebody while out there but it looks like he's touring elsewhere.
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Bb
58 posts
Jun 05, 2009
5:50 PM
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@ bluzlvr:
Hey, you ever see Lester Butler? In The Red Devils or 13 out there?
Just wondering. Lester fascinates me in a way. Not the best player in the world, but SOLID. And just cool.
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Zhin
310 posts
Jun 06, 2009
12:33 AM
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I wholeheartedly agree with Adam on this.
Especially those of you who live in America or anywhere near there, it's a privilege that most of you probably don't realize.
I would spend thousands and thousands of dollars to see every single one of those names if really had that money. Because that's only way if I was flying back and forth from here to America.
Take advantage of the fact that you don't need to pay for EXORBITANT prices for flights to check most of these guys out.
It would be most unwise to not realize and take advantage of that fact. You got all these legends practically right at your doorsteps compared to everyone else on the other side of the world!
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http://www.youtube.com/harmonicazhin
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scalene
2 posts
Jun 07, 2009
6:23 AM
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I saw James Cotton last winter. He didn't play much but his band was incredible! And I did feel like I was in the presence of greatness when he was on stage. You can't explain it. You just have to be there.
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bluzlvr
207 posts
Jun 07, 2009
1:32 PM
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@Bb: To bad about Rod Piazza. He plays at Cozy's all the time and the place is always packed.
You might be able to catch them somewhere in the L.A. area when you come out. Have fun!
I saw Lester Butler a couple of times, but never with the Red Devils.
Solid would be a good word to describe him.
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the frozen canuck
37 posts
Jun 09, 2009
6:20 AM
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If anyone is in the maritimes in August ,James Cotton is headlining the Dutchie Mason blues festival in Nova Scotia Canada Aug 7,8,9?
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mr_so&so
124 posts
Jun 09, 2009
10:45 AM
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Saw Koko back in 2004 at the Kitchener Blues Fest. I believe she had just recovered from some illness then. I recall that she had a real kick-ass band. I was a bit concerned that she had to strain to sing over them. Anyway she was great. Our local blues fest, which is free by the way, if you are at all in the vicinity, has also had some great harp players. Lazy Lester a few years ago, Kim Wilson and the Fab. Thunderbirds last year. Too many other great bands to mention them all.
We've been lucky here in Kitchener Ontario -- where there is a strong blues scene -- to have had a lot of the greats pass through. I saw Cotton in a packed bar nearby -- shook his hand and got his autograph. Back around 2000 we had a House of Blues show here that featured Charlie Musslewhite as the harp player, but there were some other big names including Dr. John, Luther Lockwood Jr. (in his nineties at that time). And of course we had the honour of having Mel Brown living here for many years until his recent death.
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