James Cotton _ Sweet home Chicago

[rmachayes]

sweet

[theoriginalbadbob]

99% of all singers who have covered this Robert Johnson (call me Bob) classic, change the words. It was originally written and recorded as: "Back to California, to my sweet home Chicago." It took me several listenings to the cut, by Mr. Johnson, to realize that he meant: (My) BACK to California, to my sweet home Chicago. Robert Johnson had made a trip to California, and was glad to be going back to Chicago.

[BrainFPatterson]

@theoriginalbadbob - Robert Johnson's version (wonderful though it it was) wasn't the original. Earlier versions were recorded (under the name Kokomo Blues, but it's basically the same song) by both Scrapper Blackwell and Kokomo Arnold. All 3 are up on youtube and each musician provides a brilliant and individualistic interpretation. Check them out. We'll never know for sure who wrote any of those old classics because the artist who first recorded them probably took credit in many cases.

[theoriginalbadbob]

@BrainFPatterson Give me a slap upside my head. I had never heard of Scrapper or Kokomo, but that's definitely "Sweet Home Chicago." I really like Mr. Blackwell's version. Now, I would like to know just one thing:

Was Robert Johnson the first one to sing, "Squeeze my lemon, 'til the juice runs down my leg?"

[lhemeon]

Totally awesome

[bigwillhenk]

nice i love it

[beyotch1918]

that old man sure can blow harp!!!! DAMN!!!

[revnasteewaters57]

Cotton is awsome! But Little Walter is still king.

[MrBUBBABENNY]

I First heard Mr James Cotton in 1970 ! I Bought a Record @ Licorice Pizza ! & Fell in love w/ His Music ! He is Truly one of the Harmonica Greats ! But then again if you played w/ Muddy Waters & Sonny Boy I Guess you would have learned & played w/ the Best !

[dysaman]

hey Slam .. damn I miss all the wonderful moments with you on stage, and all good fun times we had together at the 2? long tour take care best Dysa.. The Norwegian Bluesviking..:O

[TheJRad68]

this is awesome blues and love the sweet home Chicago ,,,, Play on ,,,,,,

[57harpman]

i have seen him twice and also play the harp ,i play a little like james he is awsome

[Confleezy]

@57harpman you dont play like James, ge tthat out of your head

[lahela1000]

thank god for the blues; thank god for chicago

[paseaf]

Mr Cotton I love you!!!

[uradragon]

Thanks for some fine Blues, Mr. Cotton. for the post too.

[vawnshere]

Ya hooked me with this one James!! from Marie's daughter in T.O.!!!

[toddallenhooper]

Awesome job!

[Fr3derick]

Awesome!!!

Grandma Mary

[fattrucker01]

chicago style blues is tha bomb! just plugged in the Pignose and was rocking out with James

[psychkoala]

You must have hated that pig.

[unclevin3]

CHICAGO SUCKS,  WOW HE CAN COUNT

[sweetchippies2]

i have had the good fortune to see him live at yoshi's in oakland california.

[ILTERZOSOLE]

same for me in Narcao blues festival 2007 Sardinia Italy

[cantiflas18]

yeah it does winter sucks but blues kicks so much ass

[sneakybob101]

thanks your talking about my great uncle

i learned that from my grandpa who told me about him

[99daveo]

I just saw him in Toronto....outstanding!!

[cainamdead]

The only thing that sucks about living in Chicago is the beyond cold winters!!! But this song is good. =)

[gidtok]

if anybody could give me harp tabs for this song that would be awesome. thx

[mrmtnboy93]

@gidtok there isnt really any tabs its just some of your best blues thrown in good luck

[kariveikko]

born in chicago,ain't never comin' back...

[Ledvolta]

His harp has not diminished, even now that he's 'heavier'. No disrespect.

[Ffiltar43]

Key of A - Cross harp puts it in E

[Ledvolta]

D, i think. I have a chart.

[Syekate]

Ffiltar43 is right, it's definitely an A harp, key of E.

[whackyshackyidiot]

yes i can confirm that of course a cross harp

[jrtibebu]

I saw his concert in Minneapolis at Dakota , OMG his harmonica go straight to the core of your being, you have to move to rythm it is imposiable to sit .

And his voice , aged well like good red wine , What a combo!! He is 1000x better live than recording , if you can see in live.

[leanground]

A harp

[Erikjr21]

cotton you are a master teach me to tongue block like that please

[soulrongang]

This video shows how this remarkable virtuoso

of the harp inproves with age like fiiiiiiiine wine!

Blessings upon you, James!

[bastardfuzzy]

Hell Yea....Sweet HOME Chicago

[victimem]

james "yema" cotton!!!

[lobizoon1]

james cotton is mr blues himself!

[gusblues]

long live superharp!!!!