High Compression
| High Compression | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1984 | |||
| Genre | Blues | |||
| Label | Alligator | |||
| Producer | Bruce Iglauer, James Cotton | |||
| James Cotton chronology | ||||
| ||||
High Compression is an album by the American musician James Cotton, released in 1984.[1][2] He supported it with a North American tour.[3]
Production
The album was produced by Bruce Iglauer and Cotton.[4] He recorded the album with two backing groups, one made up of longtime Chicago blues practitioners, including the guitarist Guitar Slim and the pianist Pinetop Perkins, the other of younger musicians, including the guitarist Michael Coleman.[5][6][7] Cotton wanted to update his sound by adding a horn section and funk influences to some of the tracks.[8] "Diggin' My Potatoes" was written by Washboard Sam.[9] "No Cuttin' Loose" is a cover of the Junior Parker song.[10] "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" is a version of the Bobby Bland song.[11] "23 Hours Too Long" was written by Eddie Boyd.[12] "Ying Yang" is a cover of the Steve Miller song.[11]
Critical reception
The Commercial Appeal called Cotton's playing "superb in tone and interpretation."[14] The Houston Chronicle opined that "James's vocals are a tad hoarse, but it's that big, booming harmonica which takes over".[16] The Daily Press said, "The combination of his steel-shredding harp solos set off against his roaring vocals ... is a fearsome sound to behold."[22] The Boston Globe noted the "relaxed authority and self-assuredness about the man's voice."[23]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Diggin' My Potatoes" | |
| 2. | "Ying Yang" | |
| 3. | "23 Hours Too Long" | |
| 4. | "No More Doggin'" | |
| 5. | "No Cuttin' Loose" | |
| 6. | "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" | |
| 7. | "Sunny Road" | |
| 8. | "Superharp" | |
| 9. | "Easy Loving" | |
| 10. | "High Compression" |
References
- ^ Krampert, Peter (2016). The Encyclopedia of the Harmonica. Mel Bay Publications, Inc. p. 40.
- ^ Herzhaft, Gérard (1997). Encyclopedia of the Blues (2nd ed.). University of Arkansas Press. p. 45.
- ^ Wanner, Donna (November 9, 1984). "Out and About". Leisure. The Ithaca Journal. p. 6.
- ^ a b MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 99.
- ^ Kelton, Jim (December 2, 1984). "Records". Venture. The Sunday Herald. Everett. p. 5.
- ^ Mitchell, Jason (November 22, 1984). "Sounds". Upbeat. Kitchener Waterloo Record. Vol. 107. p. 7.
- ^ Mitchell, Rick (January 5, 1985). "Records in review". The Oregonian. p. D6.
- ^ Smith, Randolph (December 24, 1984). "Cotton's 'happy blues' to blow into Cleveland". Akron Beacon Journal. p. B7.
- ^ Alvarez, Rafael (January 6, 1985). "Son Seals still strong, James Cotton in slump". The Baltimore Sun. p. 11M.
- ^ Claypool, Bob (December 9, 1984). "Blues". The Houston Post. p. 10F.
- ^ a b Weiker, James (December 27, 1984). "Chicago blues alive and well". Jackson Citizen Patriot. p. D2.
- ^ Miles, Milo (January 29, 1985). "Blues". The Boston Phoenix. p. 3.10.
- ^ All Music Guide to the Blues (3rd ed.). Backbeat Books. 2003. p. 131.
- ^ a b Burnett, Brown (December 2, 1984). "In Muddy's shadow". Fanfare. The Commercial Appeal. p. 12.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. II. MUZE. p. 1247.
- ^ a b Racine, Marty (December 9, 1984). "Records". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 9.
- ^ Becker, Bart (January 8, 1985). "Records". Lincoln Journal Star. p. 5.
- ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 138.
- ^ Rea, Steven X. (December 2, 1984). "James Cotton High Compression". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. H13.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide. Random House. 1999. p. 179.
- ^ Roberts, Jim (January 30, 1985). "Test Pressings". Valley Advocate. p. 32.
- ^ Farr, Jory; Bauerlein, Chuck (December 16, 1984). "Record gifts". Daily Press. Vol. 89, no. 351. p. I12.
- ^ Angell, Bob (December 27, 1984). "Records". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 7.