easyed
6 posts
Jan 07, 2010
8:54 AM
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James Cotton is playing in Cambridge, MA this weekend @ Scullers Jazz Club. Any of you Massachusetts folks planning on going?
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bluedogg
42 posts
Jan 08, 2010
6:59 AM
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I saw him in Pittsburgh last year at Moondogs. He's still awesome!
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waltertore
70 posts
Jan 08, 2010
7:57 AM
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I hate to be a bearer of bad news, but the James Cotten of today is just a shell of what he was. He can't sing and his harp playing has really declined. I would view going as an opportunity to see in person a piece of blues history. His band is a hopped up fusion of blues and rock IMO. They pretty much carry the show for most people. But going to see him may have its little moments that are priceless. Hope for that. Getting old can be a drag so my 86 year old father says. Walter
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walter tore's sponotbeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=157137
http://www.youtube.com/user/waltertore
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2010 8:35 AM
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easyed
8 posts
Jan 08, 2010
8:21 AM
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Yea, I'm sure he is not what he used to be, (how many of us are) but I figure it's an opportunity to see one of the greats while I still can. Saw BB King not too long ago for the same reason, nobody gets out alive, you know?
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NiteCrawler .
4 posts
Jan 08, 2010
8:44 AM
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I agree with Walter somewhat,although for a man of his age and the road life that he,s led,late nites,Avis Van rentals filled with the entire band,I,m surprized he,s been around for such a long time.I would have to say that if you ever get a chance to see him take advantage of it.He,s one of the few original Chicago blues harp legends left out there.I had spent a few late nites with him back in the day(before my bedtime was 11 pm)actually one nite not long after he had his throat operated on and he still put on an awesome show,although he was hurting real bad.(he still managed to take a puff or two out in the venues parking lot.(medicinal purposes of course)Boy that would have been the ultimate tale of tales,me and James locked up at a beach resort jail for smoking some mother nature.Back in 02 or 03 I was fortunite enough to see him at a small college arts center with Daryll Nulisch on vocals,all sitting on stage,Wow what a performance.Daryll,s smooth vocals(all Cottons tunes)and James blowing his ass off was one hell of a performance.Bottom line,check out Super Harp,I don,t think you will be disapointed.Enjoy
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waltertore
72 posts
Jan 08, 2010
8:44 AM
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Hopefully a magic second, or moment, will happen. Either way it is great you are supporting a legend. These guys should get a pension so they can take it easy and play at home if people want to come and visit. Alot of the older players I played with enjoyed entertaining at home and in their latter years, if they had to tour, it was a real hard time on them physically. Walter
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walter tore's sponotbeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=157137
http://www.youtube.com/user/waltertore
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RyanMortos
559 posts
Jan 08, 2010
9:00 AM
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I was lucky enough to see Cotton at the poconos blues fest last year. I really enjoyed the show. Poor guy couldn't talk though. I'd see them play again in a heartbeat.
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Contact:
My youtube account
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nacoran
739 posts
Jan 08, 2010
9:52 AM
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I wish I'd know about it a little sooner. It's the wrong time of the year to be driving off in a beat up car in the Northeast.
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barbequebob
308 posts
Jan 08, 2010
12:25 PM
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I remember the first time I saw him at the long defunct Joe's Place in Cambridge, MA, and it was one of the last years he was always playing thru an amp, and while he was in the middle of "The Creeper," he turned a somersault and still played the hell out of it and never missed a beat!! My back hurts thinking about doing that. He was a pretty damned good vocalist as well back then.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Sandy88
30 posts
Jan 08, 2010
3:02 PM
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What exactly happened to his throat? I can hear the wear on his vocal chords when I listen to 'Harp Attack,' did his voice just give out at one point?
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Joe_L
1 post
Jan 08, 2010
4:30 PM
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I've seen Cotton well over 25 or 30 times since the mid 80's.
I've seen him three times in the past year. He and his band played nothing but Chicago Blues every time that I've seen him every time that since Slam Allen and Tom Holland joined the band. The Michael Coleman led band from the 80's has been gone for a long time.
I miss the days when I used to see him on Christmas Day with Sammy Lawhorn, Calvin Jones, Willie Smith and Pinetop, but if he's in town, I wouldn't miss it. I learned a lot about Blues harmonica by watching and listening to James Cotton play.
He's slowed down a bit. Age does that to people. I'd rather see him than 99% of the players out there. Sadly, he can't sing anymore (and he was bad ass), but he can still play.
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