James Cotton

James Cotton

35115 fans

James Cotton was an acclaimed blues artist who had his own bands and also played with many celebrated blues and rock stars over a long career that began with the Howlin' Wolf Band in the 1950s. Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2006 and named Best Traditional Male Blues Artist in the Blues Music Awards in 2014, he continued to perform until his death from pneumonia in 2017 at the age of 81.

Born in Mississippi, he spent many years in Arkansas mentored by blues singer and harmonica player Sonny Boy Williamson II. After a stint with Howlin' Wolf, he worked with the Muddy Waters Band in the 1950s and in the '60s he formed the Jimmy Cotton Blues Band and released an eponymous album in 1967, which edged onto the Billboard 200. He toured with Janis Joplin and worked with many other artists including Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, B.B. King, Santana and Steve Miller. He recorded more albums such as 'Pure Cotton' and 'Cotton in Your Ears', 'Taking Care of Business' and '100% Cotton', which peaked at number 46 on the Billboard 200.

He played harmonica on many Muddy Waters albums including his landmark 1960 release 'At Newport' and 'Hard Again', which won the Grammy Award for Best Ethnic Or Traditional Recording. His 1996 release 'Deep in the Blues' went to number 13 on Billboard's Blues Albums Chart and he had more success on that chart with 'Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down' with Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter, which went to number three in 2007, 'Giant' in 2010, which peaked at number eight, and 'Cotton Mouth Man' which reached number four in 2013. In its obituary for Cotton, the Los Angeles Times said he was nicknamed Mr. Superharp for "a highly energised performance style that incorporated much of the energy and performance dynamics from rock 'n' roll".

Top tracks

04
Dealin' With The Devil
James Cotton
Deep In The Blues
03:32
Writer: Sonny Boy Williamson / Composers: Sonny Boy Williamson
02
Can't Be Satisfied
Muddy Waters
Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down
03:47
Writer: M. McKinley / Composers: M. McKinley
01
Down Home Blues
James Cotton
Harp Attack!
06:23
Writer: Jackson - George Henry Jackson / Composers: Jackson - George Henry Jackson
02
Little Car Blues (Remastered)
James Cotton
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
03:33
Writer: William Lee Conley Broonzy - William Lee Broonzy / Composers: William Lee Conley Broonzy - William Lee Broonzy
01
Down At Your Buryin'
James Cotton
Deep In The Blues
04:31
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
05
When The Levee Breaks (Part One)
Magic Slim
All Blues'd Up: Songs of Led Zeppelin
02:19
13
Blues In My Sleep
James Cotton
Deep In The Blues
06:08
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
07
Walking By Myself (Live)
Muddy Waters
King Biscuit Flower Hour 1977
04:44
Writer: James Cotton - Muddy Waters - Johnny Winter / Composers: James Cotton - Muddy Waters - Johnny Winter
04
Dealin' With the Devil
Muddy Waters
Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down
07:50
Writer: J. Cotton / Composers: J. Cotton
02
There Is Something On Your Mind
James Cotton
The James Cotton Blues Band
03:49
01
Cotton Mouth Man
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
03:47
Writer: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming / Composers: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming
03
Caledonia
Muddy Waters
Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down
06:58
Writer: F. Moore / Composers: F. Moore
09
Love Her With a Feeling
Muddy Waters
Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down
05:47
Writer: L. Fulson / Composers: L. Fulson
06
Ain't Doing Too Bad
James Cotton
High Compression
03:39
Writer: Don D Robey - Malone / Composers: Don D Robey - Malone
03
Keep Your Hands Out Of My Pockets
James Cotton
Harp Attack!
05:57
Writer: Sonny Boy Williamson - Williamson / Composers: Sonny Boy Williamson - Williamson
01
Dealing With The Devil
James Cotton
Off the Wall
05:03
Composers: Sonny Boy Williamson
17
Black Night (Remastered)
James Cotton
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
08:55
Writer: Jessie Mae Robinson - Jessie Robinson / Composers: Jessie Mae Robinson - Jessie Robinson
01
Black Cat Bone / Dust My Broom (Live)
Muddy Waters
Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down
05:53
Writer: E. James - J. Winter - R. Johnson / Composers: E. James - J. Winter - R. Johnson
09
Somebody Changed The Lock
James Cotton
Harp Attack!
03:54
Writer: Amos Blakemore - Blakemore / Composers: Amos Blakemore - Blakemore
12
Play With Your Poodle
James Cotton
Deep In The Blues
03:37
Writer: Sam Hawkins / Composers: Sam Hawkins
06
How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong
James Cotton
100% Cotton
04:08
Composers: J. Cotton
06
Broke And Hungry
James Cotton
Harp Attack!
04:30
Writer: Amos Blakemore - Blakemore / Composers: Amos Blakemore - Blakemore
09
Don't Start Me Talkin' (2023 Remaster)
James Cotton
Chicago Sessions
02:31
Composers: Sonny Boy Williamson
02
All Walks Of Life
James Cotton
Deep In The Blues
03:32
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
02
Who Told You
James Cotton
Harp Attack!
04:05
Writer: Bernard Roth - Roth / Composers: Bernard Roth - Roth
09
Two Trains Runnin'
James Cotton
Deep In The Blues
04:53
Writer: Muddy Waters / Composers: Muddy Waters
03
Mississippi Mud
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
04:00
Writer: James Cotton - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Gary Tolbert Nicholson - Gary Nicholson - Tom Hambridge / Composers: Thomas Jay Hambridge - Gary Tolbert Nicholson - James Cotton - Gary Nicholson - Tom Hambridge
04
Diggin' My Potatoes
James Cotton
South Side Boogie & Other Favorites (Digitally Remastered)
02:06
10
Fever
James Cotton
100% Cotton
05:13
Composers: Eddie Cooley - John Davenport
08
Mama Talk to Your Daughter
Muddy Waters
Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down
05:54
Writer: J.B. Lenoir - Allan Atkins / Composers: J.B. Lenoir - Allan Atkins
04
He Was There
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
03:44
Writer: James Cotton - Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming / Composers: James Cotton - Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming
06
Country Boy
James Cotton
Deep In The Blues
03:19
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
02
Midnight Train
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
03:29
Writer: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming / Composers: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming
08
V-8 Ford Blues
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
04:03
11
Got My Mojo Workin' (Live)
Muddy Waters
Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down
04:59
Writer: P. Foster / Composers: P. Foster
10
Mississippi Saxophone (Album Version)
James Cotton
Living The Blues
03:41
Writer: Dave Steen / Composers: Dave Steen
05
Rocket 88 (Live)
Muddy Waters
King Biscuit Flower Hour 1977
02:28
Writer: Jackie Brenston / Composers: Jackie Brenston
11
Wasn't My Time To Go
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
04:17
Writer: James Cotton - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Gary Tolbert Nicholson - Gary Nicholson - Tom Hambridge / Composers: Thomas Jay Hambridge - Gary Tolbert Nicholson - James Cotton - Gary Nicholson - Tom Hambridge
01
Diggin' My Potatoes
James Cotton
High Compression
03:39
Writer: William Lee Conley Broonzy - Broonzy / Composers: William Lee Conley Broonzy - Broonzy
06
Cotton Crop Blues
James Cotton
Harmonica Blues
02:21
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
04
Rocket 88
James Cotton
Best Of The Vanguard Years
02:06
Composers: Unknown

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  • Discography
Albums
Chicago Sessions
2023 MTI
19-05-2023
Chicago Sessions
01
Three Harp Boogie (aka Hey, Hey / South Side Boogie) (2023 Remaster)
James Cotton
Chicago Sessions
02:37
Composers: James Cotton
02
So Glad You're Mine (2023 Remaster)
James Cotton
Chicago Sessions
03:07
Composers: Arthur Crudup
03
Diggin' My Potatoes (2023 Remaster)
James Cotton
Chicago Sessions
02:07
Composers: Traditional
04
V-8 Ford Blues (2023 Remaster)
James Cotton
Chicago Sessions
03:59
Composers: Willie Love
05
Polly Put the Kettle On (2023 Remaster)
James Cotton
Chicago Sessions
01:46
Composers: Trad.
06
I Need You So Bad (2023 Remaster)
James Cotton
Chicago Sessions
02:14
Composers: Riley King - Sam Ling
07
There Is Something on Your Mind (2023 Remaster)
James Cotton
Chicago Sessions
03:42
Composers: Cecil James McNeely
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
South Side Boogie
2017 HHO
20-12-2017
South Side Boogie
01
There Is Something on Your Mind
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
03:51
Composers: Cecil James Mc Neely
02
Turn on Your Lovelight
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
02:23
Composers: Don D Robey
03
Jelly, Jelly
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
05:48
Composers: William Eckstein/Earl Hines
04
South Side Boogie
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
02:40
Composers: James Leslie Cotton
05
So, Glad I'm Living
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
03:13
Composers: Arthur Crudup
06
Diggin' My Potatoes
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
02:12
Composers: Ernest Sunny Joe Lawler
07
V 8 Ford Blues
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
04:05
Composers: Eugene Moss
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
South Side Blues
Westside
09-10-2017
South Side Blues
01
Good Time Charlie
James Cotton
South Side Blues
02:43
02
Turn on Your Lovelight
James Cotton
South Side Blues
02:23
03
V-8 Ford Blues
James Cotton
South Side Blues
04:05
04
Jelly Jelly Blues
James Cotton
South Side Blues
05:45
05
There Is Something on Your Mind
James Cotton
South Side Blues
03:51
06
You Know It Ain't Right
James Cotton
South Side Blues
02:12
07
The Creeper
James Cotton
South Side Blues
04:17
Access the complete album info (19 songs)
Dealin' With The Devil
Westside
30-09-2016
Dealin' With The Devil
01
Dealing With The Devil
James Cotton
Dealin' With The Devil
05:03
02
Don't Start Me Talkin'
James Cotton
Dealin' With The Devil
02:33
03
Sweet Sixteen
James Cotton
Dealin' With The Devil
05:40
04
Fore Day Blues
James Cotton
Dealin' With The Devil
05:35
05
The Creeper
James Cotton
Dealin' With The Devil
04:17
06
Knock On Wood
James Cotton
Dealin' With The Devil
02:58
07
You Know It Ain't Right
James Cotton
Dealin' With The Devil
02:12
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
Mighty Long Time (Deluxe Edition)
2015 New West Records, LLC
30-10-2015
Mighty Long Time (Deluxe Edition)
01
Straighten Up Baby
James Cotton
Mighty Long Time (Deluxe Edition)
03:10
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
02
Everything Gonna Be Alright
James Cotton
Mighty Long Time (Deluxe Edition)
03:16
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
03
Black Nights
James Cotton
Mighty Long Time (Deluxe Edition)
05:20
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
04
Blow Wind Blow
James Cotton
Mighty Long Time (Deluxe Edition)
03:48
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
05
Sugar Sweet
James Cotton
Mighty Long Time (Deluxe Edition)
04:19
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
06
Moanin' at Midnight
James Cotton
Mighty Long Time (Deluxe Edition)
03:10
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
07
Baby Please
James Cotton
Mighty Long Time (Deluxe Edition)
05:38
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
2014 Alligator Records & Artist Management, Inc.
14-01-2015
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
01
Diggin' My Potatoes (Remastered)
James Cotton
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
03:40
Writer: William Lee Conley Broonzy - Sunny Joe aka Ernest Lawlers / Composers: William Lee Conley Broonzy - Sunny Joe aka Ernest Lawlers
02
Little Car Blues (Remastered)
James Cotton
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
03:33
Writer: William Lee Conley Broonzy - William Lee Broonzy / Composers: William Lee Conley Broonzy - William Lee Broonzy
03
24 Hours (Remastered)
James Cotton
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
06:22
Writer: James L Boyd - Eddie Boyd / Composers: James L Boyd - Eddie Boyd
04
Superharp (Remastered)
James Cotton
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
03:46
Writer: James Cotton - Charles Williams - Williams / Composers: James Cotton - Charles Williams - Williams
05
Cross My Heart (Live) (Remastered)
James Cotton
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
04:24
Writer: Sonny Boy Williamson / Composers: Sonny Boy Williamson
06
Blues For Koko (Remastered)
James Cotton
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
03:06
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
07
Cotton Mouth Man (Remastered)
James Cotton
The Best Of James Cotton - The Alligator Records Years
03:48
Writer: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming / Composers: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
Blues Harp
29-11-2014
Blues Harp
01
I Need You So Bad
James Cotton
Blues Harp
02:11
02
Don't Start Me To Talkin'
James Cotton
Blues Harp
02:29
03
Feelin' Good
James Cotton
Blues Harp
03:07
04
There's Something On Your Mind
James Cotton
Blues Harp
03:43
05
The Creeper
James Cotton
Blues Harp
04:10
06
You Know It Ain't Right
James Cotton
Blues Harp
02:06
07
Dealing With The Devil
James Cotton
Blues Harp
04:55
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
American Blues Today
2013 Alligator Records - X5 Music Group
26-11-2013
American Blues Today
01
Midnight Train
James Cotton feat. Gregg Allman
American Blues Today
03:29
02
The Truth
Jj Grey & Mofro
American Blues Today
04:17
03
Quittin' Time
Little Charlie & the Nightcats
American Blues Today
05:32
04
Slipped, Tripped and Fell In Love
Janiva Magness
American Blues Today
04:15
05
We All Family
21C-B-Boyz
American Blues Today
05:15
06
Twisted
The Siegel-Schwall Band
American Blues Today
03:49
07
Darkness at the Bottom
Anders Osborne
American Blues Today
06:01
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
This is
2013 X5 Music Group
15-10-2013
This is
01
Knock on Wood
James Cotton
This is
02:53
02
Cotton Crop Blues
James Cotton
This is
03:01
03
Jelly Jelly
James Cotton
This is
05:41
04
So Glad I'm Living
James Cotton
This is
03:09
05
Good Time Charlie
James Cotton
This is
02:31
06
Diggin' My Potatoes
James Cotton
This is
02:10
07
South Side Boogie
James Cotton
This is
02:38
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Cotton Mouth Man
2013 Alligator Records & Artist Management, Inc.
07-05-2013
Cotton Mouth Man
01
Cotton Mouth Man
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
03:47
Writer: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming / Composers: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming
02
Midnight Train
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
03:29
Writer: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming / Composers: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming
03
Mississippi Mud
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
04:00
Writer: James Cotton - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Gary Tolbert Nicholson - Gary Nicholson - Tom Hambridge / Composers: Thomas Jay Hambridge - Gary Tolbert Nicholson - James Cotton - Gary Nicholson - Tom Hambridge
04
He Was There
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
03:44
Writer: James Cotton - Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming / Composers: James Cotton - Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming
05
Something For Me
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
03:41
Writer: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming / Composers: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming
06
Wrapped Around My Heart
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
03:23
Writer: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming / Composers: Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming
07
Saint On Sunday
James Cotton
Cotton Mouth Man
03:31
Writer: James Cotton - Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming / Composers: James Cotton - Richard Francis Fleming - Thomas Jay Hambridge - Tom Hambridge - Richard Fleming
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Blues
2012 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
04-09-2012
Blues
01
Cotton Crop Blues
James Cotton
Blues
02:21
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
02
Rocket 88
James Cotton
Blues
02:06
Writer: Ike Turner - Jackie Brenston / Composers: Ike Turner - Jackie Brenston
03
Slippin' and Slidin'
James Cotton
Blues
04:30
Writer: Amos Milburn / Composers: Amos Milburn
04
Love Me or Leave Me
James Cotton
Blues
03:28
Writer: Percy Mayfield / Composers: Percy Mayfield
05
Honest I Do
James Cotton
Blues
02:51
Writer: Ewart G. Abner, Jr. - J. Reed / Composers: Ewart G. Abner, Jr. - J. Reed
06
Negative 10-4
James Cotton
Blues
06:51
Writer: Wayne Talbert / Composers: Wayne Talbert
07
Set a Date
James Cotton
Blues
02:19
Writer: Memphis Minnie / Composers: Memphis Minnie
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
Blues Cotton - [The Dave Cash Collection]
09-05-2011
Blues Cotton - [The Dave Cash Collection]
01
Dealing With The Devil
James Cotton
Blues Cotton - [The Dave Cash Collection]
04:59
02
Diggin' My Potatoes
James Cotton
Blues Cotton - [The Dave Cash Collection]
02:10
03
Don't Start Me Talking
James Cotton
Blues Cotton - [The Dave Cash Collection]
02:31
04
Feelin' Good
James Cotton
Blues Cotton - [The Dave Cash Collection]
03:11
05
Good Time Charlie
James Cotton
Blues Cotton - [The Dave Cash Collection]
02:31
06
I Need You So Bad
James Cotton
Blues Cotton - [The Dave Cash Collection]
02:15
07
Polly Put The Kettle On
James Cotton
Blues Cotton - [The Dave Cash Collection]
01:48
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
Off the Wall
(P) 2011 HHO Group
07-02-2011
Off the Wall
01
Dealing With The Devil
James Cotton
Off the Wall
05:03
Composers: Sonny Boy Williamson
02
Diggin' My Potatoes
James Cotton
Off the Wall
02:12
Composers: Joe Sunny
03
Don't Start Me Talkin'
James Cotton
Off the Wall
02:34
Composers: Sonny Boy Williamson
04
Feelin' Good
James Cotton
Off the Wall
03:13
Composers: Herman Junior Parker
05
Fore Day Blues
James Cotton
Off the Wall
05:27
Composers: James Cotton
06
Good Time Charlie
James Cotton
Off the Wall
02:33
Composers: Caple Gil Caple Gil - Deadric Malone - Joseph Wade Scott
07
Jelly Jelly
James Cotton
Off the Wall
05:49
Composers: Earl Hines
Access the complete album info (19 songs)
South Side Boogie
29-11-2010
South Side Boogie
01
South Side Boogie
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
02:39
02
Don't Start Me Talking
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
02:31
03
You Know It Ain't Right
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
02:10
04
Feelin' Good
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
03:11
05
Dealing With The Devil
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
04:59
06
Good Time Charlie
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
02:31
07
So Glad You're Mine
James Cotton
South Side Boogie
03:09
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
Giant
2010 Alligator Records & Artist Management, Inc.
28-09-2010
Giant
01
Buried Alive In the Blues
James Cotton
Giant
03:33
Writer: Nicholas G Gravenites - Gravenites / Composers: Nicholas G Gravenites - Gravenites
02
Heard You're Getting Married
James Cotton
Giant
05:01
Writer: Harrison Allen Jr - James Cotton / Composers: Harrison Allen Jr - James Cotton
03
Find Yourself Another Fool
James Cotton
Giant
02:56
Writer: Muddy Waters / Composers: Muddy Waters
04
Sad Sad Day
James Cotton
Giant
05:02
Writer: McKinley Morganfield / Composers: McKinley Morganfield
05
Change
James Cotton
Giant
02:58
Writer: Harrison Allen Jr - James Cotton / Composers: Harrison Allen Jr - James Cotton
06
How Blue Can You Get?
James Cotton
Giant
05:03
Writer: Jane Feather - Feather & Feather / Composers: Jane Feather - Feather & Feather
07
With The Quickness
James Cotton
Giant
02:34
Writer: James Cotton / Composers: James Cotton
Access the complete album info (12 songs)