James Cotton - The Creeper

[edhuey1]

Actually its in the key of E for the band. That would be an A harp in 2nd position. Third position is the key of B minor.

[preissert]

To whoever was asking about they key, James plays it on an A harp (3rd position). He is one of my top four, with Big Walter, Little Walter, and George Smith... can I even limit it to four!!!!

[Jaden964]

Tsssssssssssssssssssssssssssss­sss *Boom*

[LordSauceness]

This is smokin' good! My first blues harp experience was at age 14 back in the late '60s. A local all-white hippie blues band had a great harp player that we saw live one night. Sounded just like this to my young ears. My buddy & I have been hooked on blues ever since.

[caferive]

I gate crashed this guys 64th birthday party, on Beale Street, Memphis, and he jammed with Sean Costello all night, without a doubt, the best gig I ever, ever went to....Love it, absolute 'harp' genius...!!!

[kingsmofo]

That crowd got a show.

[sylos131]

what is the key of the harp in this amazing song??

[xraylax]

@sylos131

A

[loanslayer13]

SICK!!



[etnauta]

Brutaaaallll !!!!...

[johnrocket117]

i just love that part where he plays When the saints come marching

[CoffinAvenue]

Soulful harmonicist !!!!

[alman4201]

thats talent makes me wanna be black

[xraylax]

@alman4201

Im black and still cant do this shit.

I feel cheated

[MACGATELEY]

And yet another of my heroes

[tommyau2006]

@26mistakes yup.............one of the best

[tommyau2006]

@26mistakes check out Muddy Waters Tribute Band too

[Gameman209]

thatssss a nice harmonica you have there... it would be a ssshame if sssomething bad happend to it...

[HomelessCheetah]

@Gameman209 hahahahahahaha

[stphnmaunsell89]

jus doan unnerstan how u cn dig da blus n still not b able to dance fool

[Trithiem]

@stphnmaunsell89 i missed the song trying to work our what you wrote dude... no offense

[beelzebub686]

6:45 Moshing Time!!

[citywidesniper1]

I agree James cotton is a wicked harp player but lets not forget little walter and sonny terry.And yes James Cotton is great at what he does.

[cece196]

A Taj Mahal song led me to this guy. HOLY CRAP this gentleman is solid smoking!!

[johnnychaos91185]

People tell me I'm a good harmonica player. But it's only because they aint heard no James Cotton or lil' Walter yet. It's like a fire in your soul. I can't match it.

[thepedrosampedro]

give that nigga a towel!

[2301986]

6:40 KKKKKKKKK the best part!! :D

[TedOfNod]

Wow, he didn't even ose his breath. . .he'd do great in MMA. XD

[bluto21]

I had the chance to meet James Cotton backstage at BB Kings Club in New York City this May. He couldn't have been a nicer man. Even though cancer took his singing voice he still looks like the happiest man in the world. Long Live Cotton.

[TheMonsterHawk]

Ahh the good old days when bands were just a group of friends who could manage to stop laughing with each other long enough to produce musical magic

[Confleezy]

i wish my band would let me play this, there too busy trying to steal the show...which STILL isnt working

[blacksoulgio]

IT'S A MUSICALORGASM!!

[curleyteeth]

Listen to him on the album Hard Again with Muddy Waters and JohnnyWinters and you will realise what a master he really is.

[MrCARLOSPEREZ2012]

TUVE LA GRANDIOSA OPORTUNIDAD DE VERLO EN VIVO HACE UNOS AÑOS EN ARGENTINA... UN COPO Y SI LOS HAY !!!!!!!!

[riskyvirga69]

take my time to watch more and more again.

[PanamaHarmonicas]

Gracias Diabluz por subir estos materiales Bro... estan notable!! Saludos

[BluesHarmonicaPlayr]

Loving Jimmy Cotton!

[Fabiokazaki1]

dont matter how loud i turn the sound, it still doesn't seen like live music

[MrChainsaw01]

17 people were looking for sth with minecraft and got here by accident

[elnino559]

hey i wanna be a creeper too

[rinskepv]

I got to see him in the 70s and got to shake his hand also - so awesome!!!!

[RNXYZ]

Incredible!

[paganballs]

Saw him in Toronto about 5 years ago. Great show, killer band, and James himself was fabulous. Got to shake the man's hand. Aces, baby, aces!

[3lbu3naz0]

All time... This Video is GREAT!! ooooo Yo no ablo en Ingles para q se vea este comentario, pero solo digo que todos los minutos se me hacían como un sueño, es de las PRIMERAS MELODIAS QUE HE OIDO, pero con esta rola de este tipo en especial, me han hecho darme cuenta de la Bellesa del BLUES.

[Ermactime1320]

Luis Robinson is not better than James Cotton!

[negrowhiteblues]

@Ermactime1320 no se puede comparar......

[MrPabll]

LUIS ROBINSON IS BETTER!

[eyekeepmoving]

@MrPabll you his lover or what?

[philharmonica50]

It's still to soon to refer to him in the past tense. He's still alive. He can't sing anymore, and is very crippled & walks w/ use of a cane. He still has soulful chops, but his wind is somewhat diminished. But you know what? He still is out there doin' it. Catch him at a club near YOU soon, before it's too late.

[islebuythat]

The best. I met him in 76 on LI.

[mastergamer000]

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS...

[Aaronlongville]

happiest guy i've seen all day.

[BishopMrs]

Great to find this here, I love the Creeper. Love James Cotton, and I first heard a friend of mine, probably the best blues harp player in Canada, Gord Kidder from Winnipeg, do this tune along time ago. He learned it from a James Cotton record, and it's a thrill to see the master doing it on this video, so thanks so much for uploading it.

[michaelalangamboa]

up there with little walter!

[michaelalangamboa]

up there with little walter!

[jacob1o1cool]

He looks like he might pass out from being so badass.

[tataso]

By god this harmonic is on fire!

[APaclin]

It's Super Mario on 2:20

[salobenitez]

@APaclin LOOOL sure sure, in the moment when you take the star XD

[effilang]

@APaclin LOL - I love you man.

[tariksba]

6:45 the guy who is fighting with the wind...

[MrDjembeclaude]

I saw him in 1985 at Quebec City...Wonderfull

[TallLikeAtr33]

whew....he is making that harp sing!

[noogie13]

James Cotton is amazing, I was lucky enough to see him live. I was *blown* away by his performance even at his old age!

[annkeiper]

Am chair dancing ~grins

[HarmonicaDylan]

I like when he bursts out laughing at the guy at the front punching the air

[rbaleksandar]

0:38 - 1:11 That is so coooooool! ^^ The whole performance is damn brilliant.

[cedricleecason]

Does anyone knows how Cotton sets his PA settings when playin thru PA? I have been wonderin that 4 a while. Curious.

[dcoch2000]

I'm just learning harmonica, and I never heard of James Cotton! But I can see HE is the master!! And I will be buying his CDs! I love it!!!

[elc1960]

@dcoch2000 Good move. James was the guy who replaced Little Walter in Muddy Waters' band (that's James on "Got My Mojo Workin' " and "Walkin' Thru The Park"). This clip was from the time when James was still able to sing (he had throat cancer in the late '90s, but overcame it; unfortunately it robbed him of the ability to sing). His solo albums to start with are "The Vanguard Years" and his Alligator Records releases "High Compression" and his live album.

[MrDavidt523]

Key of A

[itsallTWADDLE]

Someone mentioned the drummer.... that is Kennard Johnson. Yeah he IS the shit!!!

[Peacefulminds911]

thanks

[guitarismysword1]

what key he playing

[fearless100percent]

what key is he useing anyone kno

[comunicalejo]

Definitivamente uno de los mejores!!! Grande James Cotton..

[viledischarge666]

young, old, stupid or crazy. you cant deny that this is the shit . FANTASTIC!!!!

[yellowsil]

@ktmgod234 i can tell by the way you spell ...you listen to eminem rap is short for crap

[fatas412]

hey does things with a harp that no man should be able to do

[POUPOU29]

The restart at 2:34 is awesome



[POUPOU29]

The restart at 2:34 is awesome

[Spock299]

wich kind of harp is he playing ?

[Mylesfromnowhere]

is it just me or does he make a perfect pac man sound at 6:10??

[viduayte]

@Mylesfromnowhere LOL

[Merling05]

@Mylesfromnowhere i share the same opinion

[caracho1980]

This man got a everytime-state-of-the-art harpsound! Gorgeous! THanks for posting that video!!!!!

[Jarrelka]

he,s overrated their much better harmonica players search christelle harmonica that girl can really play

[fagface999]

@Jarrelka

you really think she is better than james cotton? muddy waters thought he was good enough, and if you think you know better than muddy waters then you just dont know sheeit. just because your dazzled that its a girl playing harp doesnt mean she can touch james cotton. theres a reason he's been renowned as a harp king for almost 60 years, and still packs massive auditoriums.

[casu3]

@Jarrelka U CRAZY OR STUPID? GET THAT COCK OUT OF UR ASS BEFORE TALK SHIT COTTON ITS A LEGEND THAT CHICK SUCKS I HAVE SEEN HER

[Jarrelka]

@casu3 haha fucking pussy dude stop talking like that over the internet

[KowKowCalqulator]

@Jarrelka C. Berthon couldn't pull this James Cotton tune off. Just like many people could never duplicate Sonny Terry's Fox Chase / Lost John. Or how many people try to play and sing Steve Miller's "the joker" and look 2nd rate. That would be the case here with her. Jason Ricci is pretty interesting; but going a different direction that traditional blues.

[wisedup]

If James Cotton doesn't give you chills, your dead.

[MrBluesrules]

Sir Morgans Cove, Worcester Mass winter of 1975, Thank you John Evans.

[5150zombie]

seeing this kicks my ass everytime. nice.

[susannablue]

My old friend James -- just like he was in '67, '68 and '69 -- always fun and crazy and brilliant

[SylvermanMusic]

the best harp player in the WORLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!

[debraann57]

@SylvermanMusic you are soooooooo right!, the best harp player that ever was.I was lucky enough to see him live, and I can tell you he "Blew" me away with his talent and how he played that harp. and for 9 minutes & more., how he loved to rip his harmonica.

No words to describe him!.....A Pure LEGEND of all times!!!!

[MrPabll]

@debraann57 the best harp player that ever was is LUIS ROBINSON and he is from ARGENTINA.. (played with PAPPO BLUES) LUIS ROBINSON IS THE BEEEST

[TheFstapes66]

@MrPabll naw the best ever is deffinately sonny boy williamson 2 because ,mainly that shit was 50 years ago and he had noone to model himself after and luis robinson doesnt have that southern feel to his music that blues music needs to blow up...... plus luis robinson is relativly fresh and when he blows up like these other great have and did then he MIGHT be considered for one of the best

[TheSatanas666]

@MrPabll dont be a asshole

[shuaiflip]

@debraann57 STILL IS NOT WAS IS!

[tamarrus1]

My Kin!!!

Jackson,MS!!!

[tamarrus1]

My Kin!!!

[shredermn]

awesome blues

[cloisterene]

He lives and breathes that harmonica! Got the music in his soul!

[MikePetroneHipHop]

Can Anyone tell if i can find this performace on DVD....

[SylvermanMusic]

@MikePetroneHipHop  I KNOW ITS FROM LIVE FROM CHICAGO ALBUM BUT IM NOT SURE THEY DID A DVD OF IT

[ktmgod234]

the ten people that "disliked"this video probably also jerk off to eminem and 50 cent.

[windex409]

@ktmgod234 i like this shit but i wouldnt start hatin on eminem. he's labeled as one of the best free style rappers on the planet and he did it growing up in the slums. don't be shootin down eminem, he's one of the all-time greats.

[ktmgod234]

@windex409 Well you didn't dislike the video, did you... I listen to eminem as well. However i do not blow my shit thinking about him.

[thantos62]

@ktmgod234 Thats funny dude.

[joethepainter90]

@ktmgod234 They probably voting members for the Rock and Roll hall of fame

[PossedevA]

@ktmgod234 I like jemes cotton" work and i listen to eminem, too.

What's the problem?

[fullbotns]

@ktmgod234 man dont be h8er. i listen to eminem and 50 cent but i still love this

[rebelrecording]

@ktmgod234 Git em!!!!That comment just tells it tooo true!!!!damn you!Wish i posted it first!

[timothychong48]

@ktmgod234 Hey, I'm a 12 year old Chinese kid who loves Eminem and Sean Paul, but I love Jazz and Blues and etc.

[buckckck]

@ktmgod234 oh, youre rude, get back to your room young sir

[ZukunftMorder]

@ktmgod234 To each his own.

[observateurgamer]

@ktmgod234 I listen to eminem AND i like blues...

[KongKegso2]

@observateurgamer good 4 u ?

[observateurgamer]

@KongKegso2 I just want to say that you can listen to any kind of music

[J5TCC]

@ktmgod234 true there. Modern era "music" has really ruined the minds of people today. James cotton is a king, legend and part of the reason why i breathe every day!

[bunicabatetoba1]

@ktmgod234 17 now :(

[vfostis]

XWSE MEGALE!!

[Conf1ictz]

anyone have the harp tabs for this...jk lol

[HazySpirit]

@Conf1ictz I Have :D

[Hopkins1148]

I LOVE it!!

[casu3]

mr superharp one of the last real bluesman out there

[johnnychaos91185]

@casu3 I don't know dude. I think there's still some more. Spread, few and far between, but still here.

[TheOldSpirit]

@casu3 i thought that was a harmonica?

[sidebarr7]

@casu3 You can say that again! the last.

[dranaldeath]

@ FUCKDASTARDLY- i was just thinking that. that drummer is the shit. but god damn Cotton is smooth too. : )

[fuckdastardly]

Yeah Cotton is good, but man, that drummer is amazing.

[o0brewcrew0o]

Amazing!

[MrLausanneBlues]

excelente.

[MntypythonHolygrail]

Creeeeeepers Jeeeepers funkin yeah man

[migel1i]

this is music!) yeha people

[mooglytonker]

I want to know who that cool cat on the sax is...

[Vallettamouse]

great *****

[alyse12777]

charles was leaving a gig in Mass going back to CT. Car accident. my birthday. he is so missed.

[2009framat]

@alyse12777

Thank you for the info. I read once that he died at the young age of 34 but I did not know that he started so young with Cotton. So when I bought my James Cotton records in 1980-82 he was still alive. It is a shame that he is now almost forgotten. He deserved better. Same with Jerome Arnold.

But that is proably the fate of many bassplayers.

[alyse12777]

@2009framat

Yes, He also played guitar, for fun. - He played on the Fly Like an Eagle Album - (Steve Miller) Charles had a platinum album from this. I can't remember off the top of my head which tracks.

[2009framat]

@alyse12777

Jerome GReen (singer&marracasplayer) is also a forgotten man with relativ few infos compared to the fact that he sang on some top 100 hits and played not only with Bo Diddley but CHuck Berry aswell.

If you like I can sent you all infos I found on him.I made a Bluescartoon tribute featuring BO DIDDLEY,BILLY BOY ARNOLD&JEROME GREEN.I like to invite you to watch it.

I did the animation & played all instruments.Hope to hear from you

bye

[alyse12777]

@2009framat - Sure, sorry took me so long to reply,  I never get in my email quick enough!!

[pfstav82]

super...

[BILLMCLEANJAZZ]

All Right!! Awesome!! Thanks for sharing!! Totally enjoyed it!

[TomballPI]

Watching great talent is such a gift.

[Fr3derick]

Excellent!!! So enjoyable:)

Grandma mary

[braccozeta]

blues is a feeling, and this it is.

[tito5571]

HAPPIESS ......

[Spock299]

lo peta mazo cuando al final del vídeo empieza a tocar "When the saints go marching in" y se va de allí por la puerta grande, saludando al público, como diciendo: "¡Buenas noches, fue un gran espectáculo!" Este individuo es demasiado bueno como para haber muerto.

[nachete897]

este tio es DIOS

[etproductionssucks]

The late Kenny Johnson on drums, only the best blues drummer of all time!!!

[2009framat]

@etproductionssucks

Did not know that he is dead.

I know Bassman Charles Calmese died in an accident (car or motor cycle) in the 80's. Do you know more about that? Or Jerome Arnold?

[alyse12777]

Date:Oct 28 1988

Charles R. Calmese, 34, a native Chicagoan who played bass in several top rock and blues bands, died in Hartford, Conn., from injuries sustained in an auto accident.

Mr. Calmese began his musical career in Chicago at 16 with the James Cotton Band, recording and touring in the United States and Canada for eight years. He moved to Willimantic, Conn., in 1975.

He performed with such musicians as Muddy Waters, Ike &Tina Turner, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Chuck Berry and Mat...

[mmzait]

@2009framat

Charles passed away in 1988 in an automobile accident on Route 6 in CT. He is deeply missed for his musicianship and generous spirit.

He was awarded a Platinum album for Steve Miller's Fly Like and Eagle and Book of Dreams and a Grammy for Muddy Water's album Hard Again.

More recently, we also lost drummer,Kenard (Kenny) Johnson.

[Pilotpatty1]

@2009framat

NOt sure who this guy is but the actual James Cotton is alive. Not entirely well, but well enough to perform a show near where I live. What a show! Bought a CD and he signed it too! He is in his 70's. Doesnt have much of a voice left but he can belt out the harmonica and his band can totally rock!

[garielon]

MAESTRASOOOOOOOOOO

[adbra]

That was great. So nice to see Cotton so happy and playing well. Not that he doesn't play well now. Always loved that song too. You really have to know the song to back Cotton up on that one and they kicked butt and still had fun.

[printer944]

Seen James Cotton few years back so good really makes sense of the mississippi saxophone met him too was to in awe to say much a real nice guy dont think he understood my Scottish accent lol

[orhun511]

come on son

[22marzo1991]

the best !!

[cedricleecason]

Does a harp suppose to sound like that?! LOL....one of my favorites one of the greatest of all-time without question!

[bluesharp3515]

Keep it Coming James!!!!! YEAH!!!!!

[Tezman82]

Wow! What the hell is he doing at 2:15..? That is amazing!

[imdaking24]

damn man, you got dem blues my friend!

[pazzmanmusic]

Sounds like an A harp, but just a little bit sharp

[pazzmanmusic]

What key is this?

[cedricleecason]

@pazzmanmusic Key of E, A harp. It dont sound like it...how in the world he makes his harp sound like dat? LOL. A lot of cords and powerful air ! ! !

[sportflicker]

wtf

[sayyes2bull]

damn, man. don't hurt yourself! love it.

[andyrosstate]

This is brilliant! I'm such a fan of James and he's really having a great time here (bursting out laughing in the middle of a harp break, just brilliant!) I'm glad to say that I saw him many years ago at Colne in the UK and managed to get a signed poster, Just one of the Best ever!

[romancutzagiugiuc]

This is amazing!!!!

[paraelful]

esto es exagerado

[SanctuaryOfDissent]

did i post already that this is like the coolest shit in the world! ever!?

[SanctuaryOfDissent]

this is the most awesome show ive ever seen in my whole life....lol

slow blues donottawaguitar