“The blues is all about feeling,” says Grammy Award-winning harmonica legend James “Mr. Superharp” Cotton. “If I don’t feel it, I can’t play it.” Now in his 69th year as a professional musician (starting at age nine), James Cotton not only feels it, he lives it. His overwhelmingly powerful harmonica is one of the iconic sounds of the blues. His skills are unrivaled, his story the stuff of legend.
Born on a cotton plantation in Tunica, Mississippi on July 1, 1935, Cotton learned harmonica directly from Sonny Boy Williamson II (Rice Miller) as a small child. He toured with Williamson and Howlin’ Wolf, recorded for Sun Records, and spent 12 years with Muddy Waters before stepping out on his own. Leading his own band, he earned his reputation as one of the most commanding live blues performers in the world—a man who could literally suck the reeds out of his harmonica from the pure force of his playing—one high-energy performance at a time.
His new Alligator album, Cotton Mouth Man, is a joyous celebration of his life in the blues. Recorded in Nashville and produced by Grammy-winning producer/songwriter/drummer Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Joe Louis Walker, Susan Tedeschi), the album is a riveting, good-time musical journey through sounds and scenes from Cotton’s long and storied career. With seven songs co-written by Cotton (more originals than he’s ever included on one release) and Hambridge (who co-wrote five additional tracks), the stories the album tells are Cotton’s own, inspired by his colorful and sometimes perilous life. Throughout the CD Cotton’s blast-furnace harmonica sound and larger-than-life personality are front and center.
Helping Cotton tell his stories and showcase his music are guests Gregg Allman, Joe Bonamassa, Ruthie Foster, Warren Haynes, Delbert McClinton and Keb Mo. Forming the core of the backing band on the CD are Hambridge (drums), Rob McNelley (guitar), Chuck Leavell (keyboards) and Glenn Worf (bass). Tommy MacDonald and Colin Linden each add guitar to one track. Darrell Nulisch, who has been singing in Cotton’s band for many years, expertly handles the vocals on five tracks, while the other members of Cotton’s road band—Tom Holland, Noel Neal and Jerry Porter—are also on board on some of the songs. Cotton, who, after a bout with throat cancer turned the vocal duties over to others, was inspired by the sessions to return to the microphone. He brings the album to a warm-hearted close singing his own Bonnie Blue (the name of the plantation where he was born), helping to make Cotton Mouth Man the most personal, celebratory and just plain fun recording of his seven-decade career. According to Cotton, “I feel so happy about the music in this album. My hope is that everyone who listens feels it. I know I sure did!”
Cotton first recorded under his own name for the Chicago/The Blues/Today! series on Vanguard, and, along with Otis Spann, cut The Blues Never Die! for Prestige before forming the first James Cotton Blues Band. He made his first solo albums—three for Verve and one for Vanguard—in the late 1960s. With bands featuring outstanding musicians including famed guitarist Luther Tucker, he quickly rose to the top of the blues and rock worlds. With his gale-force sound and fearless boogie band (later featuring Matt “Guitar” Murphy), it wasn’t long before he was adopted by the burgeoning hippie audience as one of their own. Cotton shared stages with Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, B.B. King, Santana, Steve Miller, Freddie King and many others.
Cotton’s blistering talent and full-throttle energy kept him in demand at concert halls all over the country. He played the Fillmore East in New York, the Fillmore West in San Francisco and every major rock and blues venue in between. During the 1970s, he cut three albums for Buddah and one for Capitol. He rejoined his old boss Muddy Waters for a series of Muddy albums produced by Johnny Winter, starting with Hard Again in 1977. Cotton also guested on recordings by Koko Taylor and many others. He was joined on his own albums by stars like Todd Rundgren, Steve Miller, Johnny Winter, Dr. John, David Sanborn, Charlie Haden, Michael Bloomfield and Cissy Houston.
Cotton signed with Alligator Records in 1984, releasing High Compression and Live From Chicago, Mr. Superharp Himself! (which earned him the first of his four Grammy nominations). In 1990 he joined fellow Chicago harp masters for the all-star release Harp Attack!. In 1991 the Smithsonian Institution added one of his harmonicas to their permanent collection. Cotton won a Grammy Award in 1996 for his Verve album, Deep In The Blues, and was inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame in 2006. During the 2000s Cotton has continued recording and touring relentlessly, playing clubs, concert halls and festivals all over the world, electrifying audiences wherever he performs. Cotton’s 2009 return-to-Alligator release, Giant, was Grammy-nominated. USA Today said, “Since 1966 James Cotton has been carrying the Chicago sound to the world. On Giant, he pours 75 years of living into that harmonica and out comes devastating and powerful blasts of notes.”
In June 2010, Cotton was honored at New York’s Lincoln Center, where his friends Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins, Taj Mahal, Shemekia Copeland and others paid tribute to him in an all-star concert. In 2013 he toured as part of the all-star “Blues At The Crossroads II,” a tribute to Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, and he continues to perform nationally and internationally with his own high-octane James Cotton Blues Band. Nobody has more fun playing the blues, and the telepathic communication between Cotton and his band (whom he refers to as “my family”) creates inspiring, soulful music that leaves his audience on their feet, grinning and cheering for more. Cotton has recently been signed by the prestigious Rosebud Agency and will be travelling the world in support of the new album.
Cotton Mouth Man proves James Cotton’s high-compression blues harmonica playing is still a true force of nature, while his songs and stories are a living history of the blues. As The San Francisco Examiner says, “James Cotton is an inimitable blues legend. His wailing harmonica blows them away. His improvisations on the blues are full of fun and good humor. The blues don’t get much better.”
Dealin' With The Devil
James Cotton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the good time and the ladies of the night
Then the whiskey took control
Left me waltzing with the witches in my mind
But imaginary bottles won't be everywhere
To haunt me like before
'Cos I'm not dancing with those demons
So, go to sleep, my weary lady
Heaven knows you've done your chore
You were sent here just to save me
I'm not dancing with those demons
I'm not dealing with that devil anymore
It don't matter where you came from
All I know is that you gave me back my pride
You reached out your hand and saved a man
Who strayed about as far as he could slide
And you probably came from heaven
Who else could've sent you but the Lord
I'm not dancing with those demons
I'm not dealing with that devil anymore
So, go to sleep, my weary lady
Heaven knows you've done your chore
You were sent here just to save me
I'm not dancing with those demons
I'm not dealing with that devil anymore
Yeah, go to sleep, my weary lady
Heaven knows you've done your chore
You were sent here just to save me
I'm not dancing with those demons
I'm not dealing with that devil anymore, yeah
Yeah, go to sleep, my weary lady
Heaven knows you've done your chore
You were sent here just to save me
And I'm not dancing with those demons
I'm not dealing with that devil anymore
In James Cotton's song "Dealing with the Devil," the artist sings about a past life filled with alcohol, women, and dealing with the devil. He acknowledges that his addiction to whiskey had taken control of him, causing him to dance with witches within his own mind. However, he escaped the clutches of his demons with the help of a woman sent from heaven. This woman saved him from eternal damnation and the constant struggle with his addiction. Now, the singer can proudly say that he is no longer dealing with the devil and can rightfully refuse any temptation that may arise.
The lyrics of "Dealing with the Devil" can be interpreted as a story of redemption and the possibility of finding help in the darkest of times. It is a powerful message that reminds listeners that no matter how lost they may feel, there is always a way out, and there is always someone who cares enough to help them.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to live with the whiskey
In the past, I was closely associated with drinking alcohol.
And the good time and the ladies of the night
I used to enjoy my life by spending time with women and having fun.
Then the whiskey took control
However, alcohol started controlling me and my actions.
Left me waltzing with the witches in my mind
It got so bad that I was constantly tormented by unpleasant thoughts or fears
But imaginary bottles won't be everywhere
Although I still struggle with my addiction, I know that my mind is playing tricks on me.
To haunt me like before
I won't allow my past struggles to control my future.
'Cos I'm not dancing with those demons
I have made a strong decision to not let my past struggles haunt me anymore.
I'm not dealing with that devil anymore
I won't let my addiction control my life any longer.
So, go to sleep, my weary lady
I want you to rest and recover from all the hard work you have done.
Heaven knows you've done your chore
You have helped me to overcome my addiction and I am eternally grateful to you.
You were sent here just to save me
I believe that you were a gift from God to help me with my struggles.
It don't matter where you came from
I don't care where you come from or what you have done in the past.
All I know is that you gave me back my pride
You taught me to stand tall and be proud of myself again.
You reached out your hand and saved a man
You helped me through my darkest moments and rescued me from my addiction.
Who strayed about as far as he could slide
I had gone to the bottom of the pit and was struggling to get back up.
And you probably came from heaven
I believe that you were an angel sent from above to help me.
Who else could've sent you but the Lord
I truly believe that it was God's will for us to meet and for you to help me.
And I'm not dealing with that devil anymore
Thanks to you, I have finally overcome my addiction and I am free.
Yeah, go to sleep, my weary lady
Rest and recover, you have done so much for me.
I'm not dancing with those demons
I am no longer controlled by addiction and temptation.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind