DATE: Sun, 06 Nov 1994 16:56:39 CST From: Dan Enright Subject: JAMES COTTON PERFORMANCE REVIEW WILKES-BARRE PA
Well,
I had the tremendous opportunity to see James Cotten and his band perform last Thur evening (ll/3) at the River St. Jazz Cafe in Plains (just outside WB). This was the first time I'd had the chance to see him live and, as I'm sure most of the blues/harp fanatics know, he put on a hell of a show.
The gig was plagued by just about every glitch and problem a show can have, yet James and his band (Rico McFarland - guitar, Brian Jones - drums, Anthony Space - Keyboards, and Michael Morrison - bass) rose to the occasion, performed professionally and were hot-as-cinders.
The first problem was a missed flight connection by James (he flew in from his home in Memphis) so he arrived during the second *warm-up* intro song by the band. Ten minutes later he was on stage wailing and blowing like he'd been there all evening.
James is currently on a small US tour (selcted dates according to his manager) before going to South America later this month. I was told he'd be doing extensive US touring early next year, so keep an ear out for him. He's out in support of his new Gitanes/Verve release *living the blues*. I was able to catch both sets, but only took notes during the first so I could soak-up the music without interruption. 8-}
First Set The band started the show in double time with an instrumental that smoked! This band is one of the best grouping of side men to come through our area in a long time, especially Rico and Brian. They are phenomenal. The other two members are outstanding too, but these guys really shine. When James came on after the third song, a slow/smokey/seething version of *Stormy Monday* the crowd (fairly small for the first set, alas) was ready for some straight ahead Chicago grooves. They were treated to a 75 minute set that did not dissapoint!
Second Set The second set was one of the strongest I've ever seen. The band came out and warmed-up with some jazz tinged (sort of like Fenton Robinson I think) songs before James came out and kicked it into high(er) gear.I didn't recognize many of the songs, and no one in the band would admit to knowing what was played either, so I didn't persue it.
Then about 45 or 50 minutes in, the second *problem* occured. Just as the band had settled into it's groove a young, local blues guitarist (who had the club owner *bug* James as far as I can tell [maybe not bug, but he was responsible for taking him backstage and introducing him] to let him get up on stage and *sit-in with the band*) got on stage. The folks on Harp-l will recall the thread about that a couple months ago and it is clearly tactless and in bad taste. James must of thought so too because he didn't get on stage with him, even though the local asked him to. The band on the other hand was pure pro. They didn't dog him or make him look bad, they kicked ass and out performed him (although I must add the local boy held his own - just barely).
Then James took the stage again, politely thanked the local for his performing, and kicked back in with three more songs. Then he showed us how it works by bringing up a young man from NJ called Deak Harp (he admits it's an AKA) that has studied with James and is one of his prodigies (not to be confused with the access provider). The cat can blow too! He has a Little Walter style that was great (and he's a jump around, down on the knees, leap to heaven showman) and it got even better when James joined him on stage for a too brief duo.
Two hours after it had started, the set ended with an encore of Hucklebuck. James is getting on in years and it was apparent that the days hassles and the long performance had tired him, but during his sets he had the spirit and enthusiasm of a young man. Make sure you catch his set when he comes to your town!
More information about Deak Harp and his blues band can be obtained by contacting MRT Management 718-745-6692 (and for you eric ;-} his dob is: August 8, 1962 in Jersey City NJ). The guy has a lot of potential and he's definitely up and coming.
Dan the Music Guy Internet Cafe GOT AN EXTRA Scranton PA LAMINATE? d~ydian.scranton.com
