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January - February 2006 Newsletter
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Steve Jones Reviews
In Europe Big Mama Thornton Arhoolie Records 17 tracks/78:48
Big Mama Thornton’s “In Europe” album was re-released in September. It was a superb album from sessions at Wessex Studio in London while she was touring as part of the American Blues Festival in 1965, and the new version has 5 more songs and a 15 minute interview added to the original 11 tracks to make it even better.
Big Mama was a superb talent as was the band supporting her. Buddy Guy was exceptional on guitar, Fred Below was on drums, Eddie Boyd was on keyboards, and Jimmy Lee Robinson was on on bass. Walter Horton blew harp on two of the old tracks and one of the new ones; Mississippi Fred McDowell did the same on slide guitar. Willie Mae also played harp and grabbed the sticks and played the drums on 4 tracks of her album.
The new tracks include another take on the perennial classic “Hound Dog,” but a favorite of mine is the soft slide intro by McDowell with Big Mama crooning a blues ballad on “Chauffeur Blues.” Her huge voice belts out like none other on the old and added tracks, and her harp and drums are equally great. Willie Mae also does a harp duet on “Down Home Shakedown” that is just so sweet. Add a 15 minute interview with Big Mama to round out the CD and it is a must have for your collection, even if you have the original.
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