Big Mama Thornton - With the Muddy Waters Blues Band [1966] + Hound Dog The Peacock Recordings [1992] + The Complete Vanguard Recordings [2000]

TRIPLE MAMA THORNTON

Previously posted June 25, 2020

Big Mama Thornton - With the Muddy Waters Blues Band [1966] + Hound Dog The Peacock Recordings [1992] + The Complete Vanguard Recordings [2000]

Big Mama Thornton - With the Muddy Waters Blues Band [1966]
In the mid- '60s, Big Mama Thornton was a relatively obscure blues singer known mainly for her original recording of "Hound Dog" in 1953, three years before Elvis had a monster hit with it. Due to a lack of gigs, Thornton had a tough time keeping a steady band on the road and would scramble to gather consistently decent musicians. Fortunately, Arhoolie Records' founder and president Chris Strachwitz had witnessed an amazing performance of the era which had Thornton backed by a group of Chicago musicians who included Buddy Guy on guitar. With that performance in mind, Strachwitz was determined to capture that excellence in the studio. He offered the gig to Muddy Waters, whom he met in San Francisco a few days prior to this session. Muddy accepted and brought with him James Cotton (harmonica), Otis Spann (piano), Sammy Lawhorn (guitar), Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson (bass), and Francis Clay (drums). What came out at Coast Recorders on April 25, 1966, is presented on this 17-track disc including seven previously unreleased cuts. From the low-down gutbucket blues of "Black Rat," and "Big Mama's Shuffle" (featuring both Thornton and James Cotton engaging in a battle of the harps), to the hazy, late-night atmosphere of "Life Goes On," "Since I Fell for You," and "I Feel the Way I Feel," all of this material is absolutely timeless. One can only imagine what would have happened if Big Mama's hopes of recording a gospel album with this band had been fulfilled. (AllMusic Review by Al Campbell)

Hound Dog The Peacock Recordings [1992]
Let's face it, Big Mama Thornton will always be chiefly recalled for her growling 1952 reading of the Jerry Leiber-Mike Stoller classic "Hound Dog." But the other 17 sides on this collection of her 1952-1957 output for Don Robey's Peacock Records aren't exactly makeweight. Thornton's mighty roar was backed by the jumping combos of Johnny Otis and saxist Bill Harvey, producing additional gems in "My Man Called Me," "They Call Me Big Mama," "The Fish," and a duet with the ill-fated Johnny Ace, "Yes Baby."  (AllMusic Review by Bill Dahl)

The Complete Vanguard Recordings [2000]
This wonderful three-disc set brings together everything Willie Mae Thornton recorded for the folk music label in the mid 70's. It's comprised of her two released albums from 1975, Jail and Sassy Mama, and a complete unreleased album, Big Mama Swings. Thornton was still in good voice on these sessions and while not as powerful as her Peacock sides, the production is solid, and these recordings make an excellent addition to her scant discography. (AllMusic Review by Cub Koda)

Big Mama inspired many modern artists but unfortunately does not get the recognition she deserves.

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Track lists

Hound Dog The Peacock Recordings

01    Hound Dog    2:51
02    My Man Called Me    2:40
03    I Smell a Rat    1:45
04    They Call Me Big Mama    2:04
05    You Don't Move Me No More    2:43
06    Let Your Tears Fall Baby    2:46
07    Rock-A-Bye Baby    2:38
08    Yes, Baby    2:52
09    How Come    2:34
10    Nightmare    2:53
11    Stop A-Hoppin' on Me    2:28
12    Just Like a Dog (Barking up the Wrong Tree)    2:49
13    Walking Blues    3:00
14    The Big Chance    2:45
15    Hard Times    2:13
16    Laugh, Laugh, Laugh    2:44
17    The Fish    2:42
18    I've Searched The Whole World Over    2:38

The Complete Vanguard Recordings CD1

01    Little Red Rooster    6:03
02    Ball and Chain    7:27
03    Jail    5:56
04    Hound Dog    2:47
05    Rock Me Baby    6:52
06    Sheriff O. E. & Me    3:25
07    Oh Happy Day    4:03

The Complete Vanguard Recordings CD2

01    Rolling Stone (Muddy Waters)    4:42
02    Lost City    4:53
03    Mr. Cool    7:45
04    Big Mama's New Love    3:38
05    Private Number    6:21
06    Sassy Mama    4:56
07    Everybody's Happy (But Me)    3:20

The Complete Vanguard Recordings CD3

01    Good-Bye Baby    3:31
02    Gonna Leave You    8:56
03    Mixed Up Feeling    9:28
04    Special    5:28
05    Going Fishing    7:21
06    Big Mama Swings    5:14
07    Happy Me    6:08

With the Muddy Waters Blues Band

01    I'm Feeling Alright    2:58
02    Sometimes I Have a Heartache    3:49
03    Black Rat [Take 4]    2:52
04    Life Goes On    3:28
05    Everything Gonna Be Alright    5:05
06    Big Mama's Bumble Bee Blues    4:13
07    Gimme a Penny [Take 6]    4:38
08    Looking the World Over    2:12
09    I Feel the Way I Feel    5:05
10    Guide Me Home    4:23
11    Black Rat [Take 2]    2:52
12    Wrapped Tight    3:19
13    Gimme a Penny [Take 5]    4:00
14    Big Mama's Shuffle    3:38
15    Since I Fell for You    4:32
16    I'm Feeling Alright [Fast Version]    2:27
17    Big Mama's Blues (My Love)    4:11

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