100% Cotton - James Cotton

Advantages: Great songs - Both upbeat and slow. Excellent harmonica playing
Disadvantages: None

...Following a purchase of a harmonica, and a "teach yourself book", I have become interested in the Blues music scene. After watching a video by a proffesional harmonica player on youtube, I was directed to blues artists such as "James Cotton", "Little Walter" and others. Because he recommended their music to enthusiastic beginners, I decided to buy James Cotton - Living the Blues. I was glad I did! This album has both soul and passion, with catchy songs which make you want to grab a harmonica and play along! There are 13 songs in total, each of which I will give my thoughts on. 1) Mississippi Freight Train - Theres no singing in this song, just pure quality harmonica playing. The classic "train" on the harmonica, it sounds great! Starts off slow, and gradually builds up to a fast beat, with the train whistling as loud as it can... Read review

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Advantages: some very good instrumental tracks
Disadvantages: vocals in some tracks, some strange non classical tracks

...the violin! The vocals are 'reggae' like and so is the beat. Picante Has a james bond or similar type film intro, but then goes onto vanessa playing her violin, lovely, but with some odd parts and beats. (I) Can, can (you?) Another dancey beat in the intro (only a couple of seconds), but this is a catchy track and I quite like it. Although there are a few sound effects (vocal ones). Manly violin playing throughtout the track. A good simple classical track, unike some others. Yantra Has vocals, church boy choir like in the intro. This is a nice slow track, with a few guitar cords and a choir in the background, but vanessa's violin is mainly what you hear. But there are a couple of vocal parts in places. Nice tclassical rack. Leyenda Spanish instrumental sounding intro. This track is fast in places and slow towards the end. Has... Read review

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Advantages: Toe-tappingly upbeat in places
Disadvantages: JT as grizzled Blues Man - John Lee Hooker he aint!

...JT was the guy my folks put on the record player when they wanted to have a smooch (horrible thought that) and when rooting through their back catalogue I was intrigued by the all white cover and thought Id give it a try. A few days later I bought the CD for 5.99 from Argos, I was smitten and I'll tell you why. 'Greatest Hits' chronicles the high points of his early career till the mid 70s, including a couple of collaborations with Carole King (his girlfriend at the time) and a cover of Holland, Dozier and Holland's 'How Sweet It Is (To be Loved By You)' Listening to this album is the musical equivalent of being wrapped in cotton wool by your gran: relaxing, reassuring, unoffensive and something you'd never admit a liking for in polite company. He sits atop the MOR colussus with the likes of Phil Collins and Elton John: a fine... Read review

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