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Avg: 4.5 (68 ratings)
- Date Released: January 1, 1968
- Genre: Blues
- Style: Traditional Blues
- Label: Arhoolie Records / IODA
A rock & roll originator shines in this classic set.
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We Say...
She's best known for what others did with her songs (Elvis' "Hound Dog" and Janis Joplin's "Ball and Chain"), and that's a shame. Because Willie Mae Thornton, rooted in classic blueswomen from Bessie Smith to Memphis Minnie but making music very much in the present, was a formidable singer in her own right: playful, abandoned, able to swoop down into a low menacing growl or soar into a high squeal of delight. On this surprisingly cohesive grab-bag of 1965-8 sides, she's paired variously with Chicago groups (including the '66 Muddy Waters band) and even Mississippi Fred McDowell providing solo slide. It's fun to hear the gender reversals of "Sweet Little Angel" and "School Boy," while "Wade in the Water" can induce goosebumps.
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They Say...
Arhoolie's Ball n' Chain is a terrific collection of late-'60s recordings from Big Mama Thornton. Supported on various tracks by Lightnin' Hopkins and Larry Williams, Big Mama runs through such familiar items as "Hound Dog," "Sometimes I Have a Heartache," "Sweet Little Angel," "Little Red Rooster," "Wade in the Water," and "Ball and Chain," turning in generally powerful performances. By and large, these don't necessarily rival her classic '50s recordings, but they are worth investigating if you're looking for something more.
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| 01. |  |
Sweet Little Angel |
5:30 |
|
| 02. | |
Unlucky Girl |
3:20 |
|
| 03. | |
Swing It on Home |
1:55 |
|
| 04. | |
Little Red Rooster |
4:28 |
|
| 05. | |
Hound Dog |
3:01 |
|
| 06. | |
Your Love Is Where It Ought to Be |
3:49 |
|
| 07. | |
School Boy |
4:30 |
|
| 08. | |
My Heavy Load |
5:48 |
|
| 09. | |
I'm Feeling Alright |
3:00 |
|
| 10. | |
Sometimes I Have a Heartache |
3:48 |
|
| 11. | |
Black Rat |
2:51 |
|
| 12. | |
Life Goes on |
3:28 |
|
| 13. | |
Bumble Bee |
4:12 |
|
| 14. | |
Gimme a Penny |
4:37 |
|
| 15. | |
Wade in the Water |
2:56 |
|
| 16. | |
Ball 'N' Chain |
4:31 |
|
16 Total Tracks, 61:44 Total Length
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Playlists If you like Big Mama Thornton, check out these member playlists
Credits
- Eddie Boyd - Organ // Eddie Boyd - Piano // James Cotton - Harmonica // James Cotton - Harmonica // James Cotton - Harmonica // James Cotton - Harmonica // Buddy Guy - Guitar // Buddy Guy - Guitar // Buddy Guy - Guitar // Buddy Guy - Guitar // Buddy Guy - Guitar // Big Walter Horton - Harmonica // Big Mama Thornton - Harmonica // Big Mama Thornton - Harmonica // Big Mama Thornton - Drums // Big Mama Thornton - Drums // Big Mama Thornton - Vocals // Big Mama Thornton - Vocals // Big Mama Thornton - Main Performer // Big Mama Thornton - Main Performer // Big Mama Thornton - Performer // Big Mama Thornton - Performer // Freddie Green - Guitar // Sam Jones - Bass // Wynton Kelly - Piano // Seldon Powell - Sax (Tenor) // Grady Tate - Drums // Bee Houston - Guitar // Mississippi Fred McDowell - Guitar // Mississippi Fred McDowell - Guitar // Mississippi Fred McDowell - Guitar // Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson - Bass // Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson - Bass // Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson - Bass // Jimmy Cobb - Drums // Jimmy Cobb - Drums // Eddie Below - Organ // Eddie Below - Piano // Fred Below - Drums // Clark Terry - Trumpet // Clark Terry - Trumpet // Clark Terry - Trumpet // Clark Terry - Trumpet // Clark Terry - Trumpet // Clark Terry - Trumpet // Clark Terry - Trumpet // Francis Clay - Drums // Nathaniel Dove - Piano // Sam Herman - Guitar // Lightnin' Hopkins - Performer // Lightnin' Hopkins - Performer // Orrin Keepnews - Producer // Sammy Lawhorn - Guitar // Everett Minor - Sax (Tenor) // Muddy Waters - Guitar // Muddy Waters - Guitar // Muddy Waters - Guitar // Muddy Waters - Guitar // Jimmie Lee Robinson - Bass // Lee Robinson - Bass // Otis Spann - Piano // Chris Strachwitz - Producer // Chris Strachwitz - Liner Notes // Chris Strachwitz - Photography // Curtis Tillman - Bass // Earle Warren - Sax (Alto) // Elizabeth Weil - Design // Gus Wright - Drums // Muddy Waters Blues Band - Band // Larry Williams - Performer
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