Label: Rhino / Wea / Tomato,2005
Recorded in Chicago, Illinois between 1963 and 1967
Blues
A schizophrenic, if ultimately highly listenable album by James Cotton, the ex-Muddy Waters sideman and disciple of Sonny Boy Williamson. About half the cuts are acoustic tracks from 1963, recorded in a South Side Chicago living room. Backing comes courtesy of the then little-known Elvin Bishop on guitar and Paul Butterfield on harmonica, along with Billy Boy Arnold on third harp, hence the title. The rest of the album is big band stuff with horns, from Cotton's '67 solo debut, with contributions by Butterfield drummer Sam Lay and honking saxophone king Gene "Daddy G." Barge, better known for his wild solos on Gary U.S. Bonds' "Quarter to Three."
The music featured here is actually all right, but the set suffers due to its odd patchwork assembly. Five of the tracks come from a 1963 acoustic session recorded at an apartment on the South Side, featuring Elvin Bishop on guitar, Cotton on vocals and harmonica, Paul Butterfield on harmonica, and Billy Boy Arnold on harmonica (hence the title 3 Harp Boogie). The other four selections are taken from his 1967 Verve album James Cotton Blues Band, available in its entirety on the Best of the Verve Years compilation. That means you probably only want this for the rarer acoustic cuts, which are good, but a short value for a CD purchase unless you're a very big Cotton fan. Again, though, there's nothing wrong with the music itself.
By Richie Unterberger. AMG.
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James Cotton- (Vocals, Harmonica);
Luther Tucker- (Guitar);
Elvin Bishop- (Guitar);
Paul Butterfield- (Harmonica);
Billy Boy Arnold- (Harmonica);
Delbert L. Hill- (Tenor Saxophone);
McKinley Easton- (Baritone Saxophone);
Louis E. Satterfield- (Trombone);
John M. Watson- (Trombone);
Alberto Gianquinto- (Piano);
Robert Anderson- (Bass, Vocals);
Sam Lay- (Drums).
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01. Jelly Jelly 5.37
02. South Side Boogie 2.33
03. So Glad You're Mine 3.06
04. Good Time Charly 2.27
05. Diggin' My Potatoes 2.06
06. There's Something On Your Mind 3.41
07. V-Ford Blues 3.57
08. Turn On Your Love Light 2.23
09. Dolly Put The Kettle On 1.45
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