I think it's pretty amazing that this Saturday James Cotton and Sugar Ray & the Bluetones are both playing in separate local performing arts centers within 5 miles from each other in the Boston 'burbs. I've never seen either live, and thought I'd ask for opinions on who I should see. Cotton because he's a "legend" even if he's on the decline, or Sugar Ray because he might put on a better show?
hey there Hollistonharper,i seen mr cotton play last year @ the Dutch Mason blue fest .With all due respect his show was not that impressive for me to see an american icon trying to make an attempt to entertain when he can barley wisper a word now .When he did play ,his band did most of the show w/o him,his part was contained in total of about 10 to 15 min .In my personal opinion i`d rather see sugar blue. PS this is my PERSONAL opinion
Cotton before it's too late. I made plans a few years ago to see Cotton and Carey Bell at a festival. Carey passed away two weeks before the festival. ---------- Ozark Rich __________ ##########
I haven't seen James Cotton live, but friends who have reported results similar to Frozen Cunuck's. I did see Sugar Ray Norcia last fall, and thought enough of him to buy some of his CD's from him after the show. One is in the CD player of my truck right now. Highly recomended. ---------- I used to be young and foolish. Now I'm not so young.
See them both. Cotton may not be in his prime but he deserves respect as an absolute legend of the harp, and you'll be able to tell your grand kids you saw him play.
@HH: I saw Mr. Cotton about one year ago up here in Central MA in a small venue. His band did play a bit without him but he certainly played WELL more than 10 or 15 minutes. The band came out, jammed a long tune, Cotton came out, jammed a bunch of old favorites and then they broke for 20 minutes. Same formula for the second set.
His band alone is worth seeing. Slam Allen is a great front man on his own. Cotton was probably not displaying the skills from his early days but the man can still play. I would see him because you never know if you'll get another chance.
---------- "Take out your false teeth, momma, I want to suck on your gums."-P. Wolf
Ray is also playing as part of Hummel's Blowout with Magic Dick and James Montgomery in Norfolk,CT at The Infinity Music Hall on Thursday April 21-dont know how far it is for you-
I've seen both of them in the past couple of months. If you have to make a choice, I'd have to agree with OzarkRich and see Cotton while you still have the opportunity. Both are definitely worth seeing. Have fun.
James Cotten is a legend. He has lived his life on the stage. He will probably die on one. For me, he can go on playing as long as he likes and I would support it. Much like Johnny Shines in his later years, people that didn't know of his life would probably walk out.
His band is a high powered affair that carries most of the weight. I really don't care for them. They are too busy, loud, fast, funk, party, clap your hands, and far from the blues styles I enjoy. I did a festival with them a couple years ago and my gift was just sitting with James backstage. His presence made it all worth it for me. History oozes out of him and he told me little in words but volumes in vibes.
I did a full Texas BBQ spread for him and the band (I learned from the legendary Stubbs in Austin). Slam, his guitarist, and Tenny Tuckers(daughter of Tommy Tucker - put on your high heel sneakers fame) drummer sat down and polished off a few racks of ribs each. Slam told me he doesn't drink or do drugs but has 2 vices -women and food. Cotton and I reminised about Stubbs and the hey day of austin when we both lived there. He still lives there but it not the town it use to be.
The promoters rented an entire bed and breakfast for him and the band a few blocks from the stage. He declined and stayed at the red roof inn. Old school all the way!
So, with all that said, I hope it helps you in your choice. Walter ---------- walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " No one can control anyone, but anyone can let someone control them"
I've seen both of them plenty of times. Ray's a good buddy of mine and you won't go wrong with either one. However, Cotton is up there in his years, so catch him while you can. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Well said Walter...When I sit at a Cotton show these days, and as I look around the venue I smile knowing that everybody is there to see James...for whatever reason they have. After experiencing a few dozen shows since Spring Fling '76, I watch him today still cast his musical magic out there...his vibe...for all who want a piece of it. Go get your piece Hollistonharper
Thanks everybody, you all sold me on Cotton...but of course the show sold out!!!! But I can't say I got the blues because I just got great seats for Sugar Ray. Thanks again!
Sugar Ray is at Amazing Things Arts Center on downtown Framingham---lots of good seats left!- www.amazingthings.org
There were 3 single seats left for Cotton in Natick at www. Natickarts.org. Out with the wife, so couldn't do it.
Last Edited by on Apr 16, 2010 1:05 PM
Dude - Cotton at his current capacity is better than 99% of the players you'll ever see. His music has been a mix of funk, R&B and Blues for decades.
His current band is Tom Holland, Slam Allen, Noel Neal and Kenny Neal Jr are a bad ass band. They are super tight and a fabulous groups of guys. I like them. If I have the chance to see Cotton, I do it. I've driven hundreds of miles to see him and I would do it again. His playing isn't like it used to be. His shows now are more intimate.
He used to be a powerhouse with a real in your face style. He's slowed down as he's gotten older, but he still brings it. He's still a bad ass player.
I can't believe a blues harp player would even have to ask that question. His legacy is huge and it started when he ran away to live with Sonny Boy Williamson when he was nine. He and Billy Boy Arnold may be the only guys left with ties to postwar Chicago Blues harmonica.
Joe L.-"I can't believe a blues harp player would even have to ask that question."
Duly noted, but I had heard Cotton might be way past his prime. Glad to hear he's not, but would rather not waste $60 and a rare night out just to say I saw someone. Still, I feel sooooo embarassed and ashamed.:-}
Actually, I'm posting to make a point, not to be a wise ass. The Bluenotes put on a solid show (although Chris Michalek would have cringed at a couple of gratuitous hand-wahs...) but I was totally blown away by the opening act. Lydia Warren, never heard of her, a great blues guitarist and singer, who did a lot of original songs. She didn't play with her band, just her voice and her electric guitar ripping through some traditional blues with an original sound and sensibility. My point is I'm much happier to stumble onto a talent I've never heard before than visit a shrine to say I've been there. She's got a couple of clips on YT, this doesn't do her justice--
@Hollistonharper...Cotton is so past his prime. That's obvious...it's too bad you never saw him in his younger days...but if harmonica playing (especially Chicago blues) touches you deep you should make a trip to the "shrine" someday. Not to be able to say you've been there or that you've seen someone, but to actually sit in front of a remarkable person and listen to a part of his journey...and actually take away something from the shrine that may help you along your travels. I say this with no disrepect to Sugar Ray as I'm sure he would understand.
I didn't realize that Cotton's band is those particular guys. Noel Neal was incredibly good on bass 25 years ago when I saw him with Cotton. Slam Allen is a friend of mine from the NYC scene--he actually lived outside the city--and I remember a great singer/guitarist named Tom Holland from Delaware, if that's the same guy. Hot band.
If you've never seen Cotton, he's the guy to see. Sugar Ray is one of the best living blues singers and a strong harp player, but HE would tell you to see Cotton, I'm sure, and he'd tell you, I suspect, that Cotton was one of his influences, along with Big Walter.
@Johnny Charles--nicely said, thanks for the perspective.
@EV630--if you read the entire threat it's clear that my reply to Joe L was directed at his quote and that I did not start the thread to make a point....
if you are truly into the blues- going to see cotton is the way to go. even if he aint 100%, it is a way to pay homage to the past greats. remember, he is old and not in the best of physical shape. he wont be around for ever. he has no health insurance. he has no retirement plan. he needs the money. sugar ray will probably be around longer than cotton. you'll have another chance to see him. if you go and really want to make him and his band happy, offer them some dope. when i saw them about 5 years ago in a small club we talked with the guitar player (slam?) asked us for some. he said cotton asked him to ask us. he seemed fairly disappointed to have to tell cotton we had none.
I saw Cotton in 1972 at the Esquire Showbar in Montreal. He played 5 sets from 1000- 0400 with amazing energy and charisma. Matt Murphy was his guitar player. That was my inspiration to learn to play harp. He is the legend you want to see even if he is diminished by age
@kudzurunner - Tom Holland is from Chicago. I'm not sure if he was born and raised there, but he's been there for the past 10 or 15 years. I'd be surprised if he was older than his early or mid 30's. He's a left handed guitarist. He has worked with Eddie Clearwater, John Primer and James Cotton. He's a fantastic guitarist and a nice kid.
Back in Cottom's younger days, he had often opened for a number of biggger name rock bands and was often notorious for stealing the show. I remember seeing him in 1973 turning somersaults while playing a heavy harp solo and he was incredibly dynamic as a player and a showman. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
