James Cotton - Live At Antone's Nightclub [Vinyl]

180g black vinyl 12", 1-LP Includes digital download code Tunica, Mississippi sits about halfway between Helena, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee. During the Great Depression, when James Cotton was growing up there, all three were “ballin’ towns” and regular stops for the blues legends on their way north out of the Delta. By the time he was of school age, James was dancing for tips on the street corners in Tunica, on his way through Helena and Memphis to Chicago and international renown. By 1948, Cotton was a member of Howlin' Wolf’s band, which also featured Herman “Jr.” Parker, another prodigious harmonica man. Wolf broadcasted a show over station KWEM in West Memphis, Arkansas, similar to Sonny Boy’s. In Memphis, across the river, Cotton recorded for Sam Phillips’ Sun Records. “Straighten Up Baby” in 1954 was followed by his first classics, “Cotton Crop Blues” and “Hold Me In Your Arms,” with Pat Hare on guitar. For twelve years, Cotton held the harmonica chair for one of Muddy Wat