Bear Family Records is a German record company that also runs an online store with hundreds of vinyls, LPs, CDs, DVDs, music books and other music related items. They present a very extensive catalog that becomes really interesting for music lovers, as is the case of this James Cotton album that, as the title says, shows us his facet as a bluesman but also as rhythm & blues and rock and roll performer, styles which strongly burst out from mid-50’s to the early 60’s.

Cotton started to play regularly during this period and, according to his own words, he helped create these styles and, although we have some doubts about, he used to say it was one day in 1951 when he was driving together with Ike Turner along Arkansas roads, when he wrote the legendary “Rocket ’88′” song.

Cotton also said he learned to modulate his harmonica by playing sax arrangements in many rhythm and blues songs, just like Sonny Boy Williamson II did, who taught him the basis of harmonica playing. From that moment on James Cotton became one of the most recognized harmonica players, becoming one of Muddy Waters’ band members, to later form his own band.

The twenty-seven album songs show the blues origins and how, shortly after, rhythm and blues and rock and roll took over the style. These songs feature a variety of Cotton’s riffs and solos, but also showcase his vigorous singing and, of course, Muddy Waters’ unmistakable stamp is present on this valuable album too, confirming that both musicians were able of driving audiences crazy, not only in Memphis but also in Chicago.

All the songs belong to the period between 1953 and 1968, starting with the first sessions Cotton recorded as a singer in Memphis for Sun Records, followed by several sessions in Chicago for Chess Records, where he put his harmonica at the service of Muddy Waters, ending with eleven songs recorded with his own band. You will also find some little-known songs recorded in London and Chicago.

At the end of the 60s James Cotton gained the recognition of white audiences and many rock bands of the time, going from playing in small clubs to big festivals, honored with a Grammy and endless recognitions. But that is another topic and what is interesting now is to listen and enjoy with this impressive album and discover the early period and the undeniable quality of one of the great and iconic blues names like was James Cotton.

An essential album that also includes an extensive booklet with his most outstanding biography together with a detailed information about each song, featuring the recording date and details, participating musicians and a small note about how each song recording was conceived and developed.