No question here, “Cotton Mouth Man” soars over the competition. The sound is right, and why wouldn’t it be from one of the great harp players of all time. His pedigree as member of one of Muddy’s bands says it all. While his voice may be gone, James can still play the harp like it’s supposed to be played, with a vengeance!
The sidemen on this project, starting with Darrel Nulisch, perhaps one of the finest male voices in contemporary blues (along with “Sugar Ray” Norcia) give the record consistency and sets it apart from your average living tribute, celebrity guest star, duets project thang. But it is the journeymen, like producer/drummer Tom Hambridge, Rob McNelley on guitar, and some unknown named Leavell on keyboards (hi Chuck), whose love for the subject, clearly shines through and gives the record its soul.
The fact that one of my personal heroes, Gary “Save that Dress” Nicholson also helped in some of the writing only makes for mo’ better magic. Add to that some of the heaviest heavy’s in the biz (talent wise) like Delbert McClinton, the Phenomenal Ruthie Foster, Warren Hayes, Greg Allman and my friend Ralphie’s favorite, Joe Bonamassa adding his incendiary licks to the title track and you got yourself a record worthy of the man, “Cotton Mouth Man”.
