James Cotton - Slow Blues (Angel Of Mercy / Blues in my sleep)

[@stevetessier6568]

Cotton, Was my first harp teacher. And a very close family friend. He had known my mother Doris, since her girlhood. When my dad suddenly died in 59.and things got tough. Cotton bought heating oil for us. And groceries. I loved him so very very much. Cotton was so kind. There isn't a day that I don't think about him. He was everything to me. God Bless The Dead. James Henry Cotton. My friend My Mentor, My Teacher.....!!

[@NicolletIslandSlim]

All musicians, not just harp players, can learn from James in this great, great video. Of course he has that inimitable tone, the great warble/tremelo, instantly recognizable licks, wonderful phrasing, all that. But what makes him truly great is that he knows when NOT to play. He is an expert at using pauses, silence, giving us the white spaces, thus immeasurably adding to the drama and impact and soul. Here's to you, Mr. Rocket 88!

[@jefferyleo76]

Can’t imitate that feeling. The look on his face. James cotton. You are the blues. Salute.

[@matthewhobbs3254]

Fucking LEGEND! Technical as anyone may care to be, the rawness of Cotton is just overwhelming...

[@JosephSalinas-r4r]

No cussing on here hobbs 😮😮​@@matthewhobbs3254

[@teresaturek8992]

1:40 1:40 1:40 1:40 1:40 1:41 1:41 1:41 1:41 1:41 1:42 1:42 1:42 1:42 1:42 1:42 1:43 1:43 1:43

[@teresaturek8992]

1:27 1:27 1:27 1:28 1:28 1:28 1:28 1:28 1:29 1:29 1:29 1:29 1:30 1:30 1:30 1:30 1:30 1:31 1:31 1:31 1:32 1:32 1:32 1:32 1:36 1:37 1:37 1:37 1:37 1:37 1:38 1:38 1:38 1:38 1:38 1:39 1:39 1:39 1:39 1:39 1:39 1:40 1:40 1:40 1:40 1:40 1:41 1:41 1:41 1:41 1:41 1:42 1:42

[@LisaGrisham]

Wow, this is the first time I've ever seen James Cotton perform. I hadn't even heard of him until last week.September 2024.Being a blue's lover, and not hearing about him is unbelievable. This man plays with all his soul! What he does with his harmonica is wild. I have never seen or heard it played better in my life. So cool.

[@MemphisMojo15s]

The sweat is literal proof that he felt this...and played this...from his heart! RIP good man!!

[@michaelneelin1847]

I met James in my living room as a child, and had no idea who he was. My old man is a harp player that toured with him on the Chicago blues review. I'm now 40 and spent years thinking the music Gene skipped me until I bought a gibson les paul and practice through a vintage fender showman tube amp that James took My dad to the woodshed with.

[@matthewhobbs3254]

That's a helluva story, bro. I'm jealous AF

[@delbertoruiz3974]

That's. How. It's. Done!

[@knifelyfe6565]

Cotton was best man at my wedding.He is missed.

[@leolldankology]

Can't you see the soul dripping out of him?

[@kiddikbum]

Where?

[@Scrotchkins]

@@kiddikbum forehead mainly...

[@manuelgem449]

You can feel the hard life of him...

[@paulyakaitis3352]

Yeah, that’s deep down and he’s reaching and expressing it to us!

[@HazySpirit]

Man ! Every time I watch this I cant believe it... this guy is just the Harp God. Perfect tone and notes, unbelievable soul...

[@JosephSalinas-r4r]

That's fo sho 😮😊

[@jimshaver772]

I love how he plays the silence too. He's got more blues in this song than any of us will ever be able to play.

[@franciscogonzales5928]

He’s telling a story. Amazing harp!

[@johntrik]

No one can touch this level !! MASTERPIECE.

[@johnnyacevedo681]

John trick apparently you haven’t heard too many hard players like little Walter, Sonny boy, Williamson, Slim Harpo, and so forth

[@johntrik]

Of course Cotton was a link in the chain of the tradition of the great masters of the instrument...He learned directly from them.....My comment was a comparison to him and the modern players...I think the only two left who learn directly from the great players of the past are Charlie Musselwhite and Billy Branch .

[@bryanyoulton382]

​@@johntrik wooooooooow wow wow, finally another amazing bro like you, knows charly musselwhite

[@hinamauka]

Saw the great James Cotton many times in small clubs and there's no one who can rock a harp any better. He's older and slower now but still the man!

[@2696ize]

Sometimes harmonica players get so caught up in technique,that they forget about "soul".Myself included.This video is a good lesson.Cotton had as much soul as you could.

[@tompenny9352]

agreed

[@timothylewis2450]

Big James brought it! Every time. 😎

[@2696ize]

@@timothylewis2450 He sure did.

[@Blues-harmonica]

You're right!

[@burntreynolds8312]

Also a reminder of how to pause everyone in a while

[@ElleTheArtist]

Love how he keeps time with his swaying. Keeps the audience tranced. I love it. Mans go passion. Rather... He's got the blues.

James Cotton: 7/1/1935 - A legend of the Chicago blues, this harmonica virtuoso, bandleader, and singer-songwriter made a name for himself backing some of the biggest names in the business before blazing his own path. Mentored at a very young age by harpist extraordinaire Sonny Boy Williamson II, his first venture into professional musicianship found him backing the towering Howlin’ Wolf in the early 50′s. In 1954 Cotton was personally asked by Muddy Waters to join his backing band, where he would remain and contribute his exemplary skills for twelve years. In 1967 he set out on his own to begin what would become his own acclaimed and successful forty-plus year career, which he continues to tour and record for to this day. Cotton earned himself the nickname “Superharp” for his relentless performances and mighty powerful skills as a blues harpist.

[@wesleyadair9480]

now that that's the Blues from the soul you can't teach that you simply gotta feel that kind of Blues

[@bluesdjben]

If James can get the angels to play this kind of harp, heaven's going to be a lot more exciting when the rest of us get there. RIP James Cotton.

[@MiniPainterGamerDadD20]

bluesdjben Damn straight! Blues or nothing.

[@harmonicabill]

bluesdjben can't wait to go to heaven

[@4BearWarrior]

WOW That harmonica speaks a language you can really understand.

[@oliverwashburn2860]

The Master at work. He really could play the blues in his sleep

[@renegademax]

Jimmy Cotton, man-oh-man, talk about the most incredible feel, ability and conviction in his playing. What and inspiration!

[@SteveDondley]

Had the great fortune of watching this guy play in '94 or '95 in San Diego. It was the best live performance I'd ever seen. As I remember it, me and my buddy were jumping out of our seats cheering this guy on. Phenomenal performer.

[@larryaustman8023]

James Cotton put on one of the best shows ever in the mid 1970s at the University of Alberta---he had an absolute stunning band--full horn section and the best funk-blues drumming and base player or the times. Always attempting to please the audience he is a man with a deep soul for the blues------another great who has worked hard all his life.

[@mvarahadas]

I saw him live Dallas, '03. From the 1st. note I jumped up and started shouting, "Get it, Get it". My girlfriend thought I lost my mind. I did!

[@thegreatbeastofmusicyeah1211]

Excellent harp player. Truly a blues hero... Really digging the emotion Cotton brings to a slow blues.

[@caferive]

I attended this guys 64th birthay party on Beale St, Memphis, and he played all night, yes all night with Sean Costello and his band, literally the best gig I have ever been to....at the end of the evening the management pulled the plugs out of the walls, cos they just couldn't stop them any other way, there are times like these that are very, very special...Yeh !!!!!!

[@billawilla4991]

Simply the perfect harp song. Real Angel sound .

[@fredelliott3970]

This is as good as the live performances by brother James that we were lucky enough to hear in the early 70's at 'Lennys on the Turnpike' on Rte. 95 in Danvers, (?) / Topsfield, Ma., and at 'Joe's Place' in Cambridge, Ma. .. just off of Central Square .. both small bars with small cocktail tables too close together and too many chairs .. but, we were all there to listen to the Blues and hot music .. Play the Blues James Cotton ! May you Rest in Peace.

[@lindarogers9575]

I literally lost count how many times i have listened to this,cottons tone and passion are unmatched.so great..Spike,Vancouver.wa.

[@KingoftheNorth56]

Back in ‘75 went to see Peter Frampton with Johnny Winter, James Cotton opened up…and even tho Peter Frampton was promoting his Comes Alive tour, I was blown away by The James Cotton Band…my introduction to the blues 👍

[@guinness77100]

This man is playing his heart out. What a great performance!

[@PGComet]

Some of the best harmonic playing I've heard.

[@dedm0nds]

nothing more soulful or more beautiful than that. there's magic in that brother. rest in peace.

[@matthewhobbs3254]

I learned silence from this man. The quiet is just as important for soul. What a straight Chad. Butterfield took notes from this dude.

[@michaellambert5422]

James Cotton story... Long ago in the way back, went to see Cotton at My Father's Place on Long Island. Before the show, a friend grabbed me to the bar saying, "C'mon. You're gonna play for James Cotton!" And there he was, sippin' some Jack. Some other guy was standing next to him looking kind of sour. Cotton looked at me and said, "Let's see what ya got." I took out my Blues Harp and played a riff. James flashed a wide smile. This other guy says, "Too much Paul Butterfield," as if that wasn't a compliment in itself. I said, "Not THAT familiar with Butterfield, actually." Cotton laughed and bought me a shot.

[@imgamingfoo2612]

Sounds like he was likely identifying your style of playing, lip pursing vs tongue blocking. Butterfield is a lip purser, cotton is not. Of course musicians typically mix styles to get what they want, but a typical 12 bar blues sounds different between the two different styles.

[@danrifenburgh1]

I did something similar backstage with Muddy Waters. Pulled out my harp and played a few riffs and Muddy smiled and said, "You got it!" Most people don't know that Muddy started off playing harp and only later picked up the guitar, but I do, and now you do, too. Anyway, once Muddy told me that, I never looked back.

[@Spoons7414]

Dan Rifenburgh With a name like RIFenburgh I hope there was blue playing in the delivery room! Haha

[@bigmike6222]

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

[@dumperdan3446]

ImGamingFoo damn that bending while playing tongue blocking

[@jporcel100]

James Cotton is the ultimate harp man. No one can do it better.

[@GeRmAnBoMbErBoY]

This is that type of music that speaks without using words, and says soooo much more then words could express.

[@bryanyoulton382]

Agreed

[@100sClub]

The passion is present in not just the music, but his visual dedication to the tone. Sad to hear he's gone. Absolutely enthralled by his vibe.

[@BLUDLYN]

Listening to these old blues just makes my soul thrill thru n thru

[@stevetessier6568]

I miss Cotton . Each and every day, remaining in my life From my earliest, recollections Cotton was a big part of my life. He was very close friends with my dad. R. J. Tessier. And my Mother Doris F. Tessier. Had known Cotton, since her girlhood. Cotton, and Wolf were my foundation with Harp. And Wolf had known my Dad a mighty long time. Both in Arkansas . And in the Army. When my dad died , suddenly, and without warning in front of a 4 year old boy. That was me. Robert Lockwood jr. And My beloved Sunnyland Slim, and Eddie Taylor and Cotton, and Luther Tucker. Stepped up . To help my family. My mom suffered in hospital. Wolf and my beloved Adopted Uncle Hubert Sumlin. Took charge of me. Later Robert Lockwood Jr. And his beloved Anne Lockwood, took me under their wings. They loved me, as if I were their own child. How much I miss Mama, Anne Lockwood. And Robert Jr. Lockwood. I called him Daddy Robert. He called me, his son. They were so very very good, and loving, and kind to me. God bless their eternal souls.....!!

[@ferdburfle7789]

Good Lord, man! You were born lucky.

[@Noname-dd6ly]

No words to describe how it's so magic🙏🙏🙏

[@Themaddprof]

I was blessed to see this man do his thing at the Sotillie Theater in Charleston round 1989 or 1990. He did this amazing stacatto thing with his harmonica where he whipped it back and forth out of his mouth in rapid secession that I have never seen or heard before or since. A true master. Tunica County Mississippi's gift to the world!

[@jesseansorge]

Amazing. I just fell back in love with the blues. Absolutely and completely inspiring to the point where I intend to take up harmonica too.

[@norfolknwhey4787]

So, how did it go? You wailing on the harp now?!

[@sonnyblack71]

R.I.P Mr James Cotton thank you for keeping the blues real

[@MemphisMojo15s]

For real!

[@jasondonnelly1885]

probably one of the best harmonica songs ever.

[@fredzuercher9204]

Saw Mr Cotton many times at the Checkerboard Lounge in the late 70s early 80s. One night my friend and I, naive Okie freshmen at the University of Chicago, decided to take public trans to the Checkerboard. 55th St bus to the Dan Ryan El, get off at 45th and walk... which way do we walk? We walked the wrong direction and some youths we encountered did not like the color of our skin and started throwing bottles at us. A bus pulled up to us right then and the bus driver, a wonderful black man, said "what are you two white boys doing in this neighborhood at this time of night. Get in." Our wonderful bus driver lectured us on personal safety and dropped us off directly in front of the Checkerboard (not a bus stop) and told his to make sure to take a cab home. We went in, saw Buddy and James. What amazing music! After the show, a really drunk Buddy Guy said "you boys are from Hyde Park, right?" He offered us a ride (he lived in Southshore), James behind Buddy shaking his head no, which we politely declined and took a cab home. "Bliss it was to be alive that dawn, but to be young was very heaven." I am happy to have been that naive white boy and happy to have seen James Cotton.

[@donnyhiho9477]

saw him in 78,80,82,and 10 more times he was the bomb.....always ready to talk to you.....he played hard and lived hard...

[@jonj160]

It's what he leaves out as much as what he puts in.

[@robertandjanchartrand707]

Very true Jon. Thx, Robert

[@Spoons7414]

Amen

[@Kenjock3000]

"It's the spaces in between the notes you play that make it special". Paraphrasing Eric Clapton.

[@TheDomby]

oh my god, this is SO POWERFUL it shuts me down, literally. hes unbelieveable

[@Carmela_Falco]

This should have 20 million views. I get the chills every time I watch this.

[@Shagbark_Hick]

more depressed than I've ever been, but I'm telling you, downing some swill and listening to this a few times does the trick to make a man forget

[@manuelgem449]

Feel so priviliged to have shook his hand he was such a gentleman.. 👍

[@micoveliki8729]

rest in peace big man you and muddy will be rocking in heaven tonight...

[@SteveYates-uo4dq]

❤❤as a harmonica and sax 🎷 player I just melt! At slow blues x

[@mikegreenemusic]

MAN!!! music is a universal language we may not all speak the same language, but everyone can here and understand where this is coming from and everyone understands how this feels, i love the blues it is true from the heart and no one can stop it once it starts to flow

[@Walrus563]

Nothing beats this when your feeling down. Thanks Mr. Cotton.

[@billiam8270]

I first saw Mr. Cotton as an opening act for The Who at Fillmore West in August 1968. He was great of course and I remember he did a somersault on the stage while playing. I saw him a couple of more times after that but once was not a good experience. He was too loaded to play or sing and I left the club immediately as I wanted to always have a good memory of his playing and spirit. Saw him once more after that and he appeared to be clean, but was very overweight. He was a marvelous harp player and so underappreciated by those who don't know the blues. I still have his first LP from I think 1967.

[@soniasalvia3099]

Grande James. Desde España. Lenguaje universal. El blues, mi pasión.. Soplar la harmónica también .😊

[@arcangelo2112]

Somos dos, saludos desde Panamá.

[@bryanyoulton382]

Good luck, BUT IS NOT EASY, NEVER ESAY MAYBE TOMORROW IS HARD, OR NEXT DAY SO SO, HO KNOWS LIFE, BUT THE BLUES IS PURE... ALWAYS WHITH RHE BLUES

[@bryanyoulton382]

@@arcangelo2112 QUE TREMENDO HONOR CONOCER A ALGUIEN QUE COMPARTE UNA DE LAS PASIONES MAS GRANDES pARA MI Te recomiendo, HOWING WOLF- BACK DOOR MAN ... Y SOBRE TODO ESTA JOYA DE BLUES Q SE LLAMA: INDIANA

[@realbudgiesmugglertwohatsb2611]

In my opinion James Cotton was the best harmonica player of all time.

[@anniek.browntangherlini3665]

Lady's & Gentlemen The GREAT Jame's Cotton !!! Absolutely Amazing Blue's Harp !!!

[@norfolknwhey4787]

One of the best blues harmonica performances ever! He played it hard, and loud, and with more feel than anyone else. Every time my harp teacher tells me to ply softer, I respond with, “But James Cotton…” Often emulated, never duplicated. A true legend of his craft.

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

Tell your teacher to fuck off and teach yourself.

[@llJ2ll]

This video brought tears to my eyes. I LOVE IT! I felt the emotion all through this clip. KEEP THE JAMS COMING!

[@aframewindkits]

When playing the Blues the notes you Don't play are more important than the notes you DO play. Watch this master as he makes you hear those notes that he is NOT playing. Incredible.

[@griffin66441]

That was "break my heart" beautiful. There's nothing like the blues done right...

[@madmax8949]

James would play the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas almost every year in October. And he was always a highlight!

[@kizodom]

I think this is the best performance i've seen in my life, i've never been inspired and at the same time shocked by such a thing

[@StanleyPitts]

It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard 😢👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@RichardFeynmanRules]

R.I.P. James Cotton. We've lost another great one: JAMES HENRY COTTON (July 1, 1935 - March 16, 2017) was an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who performed and recorded with many of the great blues artists of his time and with his own band. He played drums early in his career but is famous for his harmonica playing. Cotton began his professional career playing the blues harp in Howlin' Wolf's band in the early 1950s. He made his first recordings in Memphis for Sun Records, under the direction of Sam Phillips. In 1955, he was recruited by Muddy Waters to come to Chicago and join his band. Cotton became Waters's bandleader and stayed with the group until 1965. In 1965 he formed the Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet, with Otis Spann on piano, to record between gigs with Waters's band. He eventually left Waters to form his own full-time touring group. His first full album, on Verve Records, was produced by guitarist Mike Bloomfield and vocalist and songwriter Nick Gravenites, who later were members of the band Electric Flag. In the 1970s, Cotton played harmonica on Waters's Grammy Award-winning 1977 album Hard Again, produced by Johnny Winter. ~ Wikipedia

[@kinkajou777]

I thank God for the fact that I got to see him during the final act of the Chicago Blues Festival of 2013!!

[@TheAntbanks121]

My God, this beautiful...

[@tmccombe1]

I have been attempting to play harp for 3 years - in the decades to come I will keep listening to this song and dream of that sound.

[@sutmickle]

My soul is flying--Holy...!

[@FrankKennedy-m5h]

All o' you who say you ain't heard of James Cotton until now or just recently here's a blast from the past! Saw him with Matt "guitar" Murphy at a little place called Stage Three in Brookfield CT in the Woolco shopping center in 1979. Does anyone remember? Shout THAT one out! Allison Couture, are you still out there? Cathi' brother, Frank

[@Ifallo]

this was amazing

[@BluesHarpJammin]

It just doesn't get any better than James Cotton.

[@diabluz]

This was part of the 'Maintenance Shop Blues' series, you can google it, hope it helps.

[@KBCC_Garage]

Over 60 years playing and he still can blow the hell out of those reeds. Superharp!

[@luisfernandorodriguezserra8606]

este es el verdadero blues, es sensacional

[@eddieroberts6975]

So much feeling! That man was sent from the gods to play that harmonica! Fantastic! 😍

[@klovur]

Woooahhhhhh... This is truly truly incredible. This has gotta be the best full band interpretation of the blues I've ever seen in my life and it doesn't even have 1 lyric. Truly amazing musicianship!

[@josephhines6505]

Earl gaines you better know your hole from minelli

[@insylum]

Happy birthday to the best harp player on earth!!!!!!

[@RanetkiFan]

Saw him in 1970, at The Providence Civic Center, when he opened for Santana. He was great! ( I don't even like blues LOL)

[@MrRaptormatt]

Best harmonica of all time...says more then any singer.

[@Hahnuschi]

wow, wow, wow ...

[@barbaravanwhy4564]

Legend

[@mr.gbluesdoc2105]

76 People don't Know what The Blues is

[@James0945]

Matthew Givens 180 Jealous harp players

[@Spoons7414]

Every single one of those is an accident. Imagine how many drunks are watching this right now thinking “I’m definitely giving this the thumbs up.” Gotta account for human error. The only other explanation would be some lab training chimps how to KZbin which would also count as an accident. I refuse to believe anybody man or chimp would dislike this

[@Spoons7414]

Not on purpose anyway

[@JoeJoe-go4vd]

@@Spoons7414 They're Jimmy Fallon fans or maybe Bieber's...

[@floydhornbuckle5299]

The only autograph I ever got.A legend ea show a bit different splendid surprise God bless James Cotton

[@nonamehawg7068]

Sorry folks, All but 1 of the 3 million views is MINE!!! I just CAN'T get enough. Does that mean I got the blues too?

[@despinaluigini7991]

Prima di dormire ascolto questo blues.....

[@737HarD]

this man made ​​me feel as if listening to a blues degas guitar full of feeling ... his soul is so great that there was no need ... I am a lover of the blues but unfortunately there are no men like this ... greetings from a Colombian

[@despinaluigini7991]

straordinario

[@MGDCrown559]

My all time favorite harp player!!!

[@GlenMcBrideglenwez]

Pappa Michael YUP!!! Mine too pappie!! and thank you for being you! glennie:-))

Fantastic!

[@MGDCrown559]

Shit nobody else would do it... Don't you think if I could find somebody else to do me... oh wait that isn't it. grin

[@bluesharp3515]

This, along with Kim Wilson's Fflat are my two favourite harp performances ever!!!!!

[@seatech1]

Saw him in Kansas City once. His live show is great. The guy sweats like a mf, though! He was wearing that same blue shirt, and it was soaked thru. He really puts it all out there for ya'.

[@leolldankology]

Did he melt your face?

[@seatech1]

@@leolldankology Just about! LOL

[@guitarfreek393]

the blues ain't something you learn. its a gift from the Man above and, good lord, Cotton has that gift!!! had me shakin my head and I'm just watchin!

[@patrickmcinerney595]

imagine how you'd feel if you bought tix to a blues show and got this.

[@Silverhazed]

Right on , good to know there are still people with clear minds out there...

[@HazySpirit]

I strongly suspect that his lips are, in fact, a harp.

[@northcountybandit]

The man is a boss! Saw him last week. One of my all time heroes of the harp.

[@sasaivanovic783]

Legend!!!!The best harmonica TONE ever!!

[@julesotis13]

my girl gave me two harmonicasso now i better get to work learning em good...lol

[@winstonchurchill624]

Stephen Jules Rubin are you still playing

[@dawaynezero]

As someone who releases stress through the art of blues harp i can honestly say that James Cotton is one of my favorite so far. The man teaching me loves him and I can now see that he has very good reason to.

[@Goga230575]

Блюз - это слёзы Бога! Великая музыка!