Modern Blues Harmonica - records 4 (Gussow.097)

One player salutes his vinyl influences: a continuing series. Here, Gussow (of Satan and Adam) talks about James Cotton's "Creeper Creeps Again" and "All Walks of Life," off the 100% COTTON album.

The James Cotton Band, 100% COTTON. Buddha Records, 1974 (BDS-5620 Stereo)

For instantly-downloadable blues harp lessons, including one on Cotton's "How Long Can a Fool Go Wrong" off this album, visit Modern Blues Harmonica:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Adam
• Gussow
• James
• Cotton
• blues
• harmonica
• harp
• lesson

[whitefeet1]

Don't know how I stumbled on this, but I feel compelled to agree with your feelings about Cotton. I saw him live for the first (and last) time around 1994 in a little local coffeehouse in Westboro, MA, with some local pickup guys he knew. He was just back from surgery of some kind. I He blew the first three notes of his show, and I thought to myself, "Man, that is one harmonica playing son of a bitch..."

[KudzuRunner]

He's the man. That's all I can say. His approach and Little Walter's could not be more different, in some ways; then again, they were friends, they both held the harmonica chair in Muddy's band......and they both had the dirt in their playing. Walter wanted to be a sax player when he plugged in and cranked up; Cotton just wanted to scrape the ground raw.

[theBuzz66]

Is there a lesson on tongue blocking? I've been playing for a few years but I have no technique, I really want to improve. Thank you so much for posting these lessons.

[KudzuRunner]

Yes, there are a couple of lessons on TB. Go to my website, modernbluesharmonica dot com, and go to the page marked "YouTube Products." there's a link for a free YT index.

[Carmelcount]

Great lesson Adam. Really cuts to the core.

Any chance of a tab?

[KudzuRunner]

Not by me! That would take work, and I hate work!

[polkiujmnhytgbvf]

He is Bartney Stinson's true father

[jeikuman]

These lessons are great, I wish I could see Cotton live, or you live for that fact, any plans for a trip to Japan?

[xraylax]

Still..... i think when listening to this track on the 100% Cotton album that Cotton was playing faster then the backing track ... and that the backing track was speed up just a litle to follow Cotton..... the track and speed just dont sound quite ok.

I know Cotton can play that speed and i know there are people that play way faster ... but on that particular track the speed doesnt feel quite right.

[serpentineflame]

sir you have no right to be so damn beguiling

[Ledvolta]

I bought the CD, because of this.

[moopaforce]

At the recording session for "A Tribute To Howlin' Wolf" I asked him about that song on the way to the studio and he said he tongue blocked the entire time. He said that his tongue is on the harp and he plays through the right side of his mouth 90% of the time when he plays. That was a very special day for an at the time 15 year old in awe.

[cheekyzombie]

Mr Gussow, the last ten seconds of that vid rocked me...

Learning a lot.

Thanks man.

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