James Cotton Rocks The Stanhope House

Of course the Stanhope House has presented all styles of music during its illustrious reign as New Jerseys last great roadhouse,but it is Chicago Blues that best represents the true spirit of the Stanhope House. On a cool Thursday night, the House was packed for Mr. Superharp himself, James Cotton. I asked James before the show how many times he has appeared at Stanhope over the years, and he told me more than a dozen!! Well, we would not be disappointed this night. After a brief intro from WNTI's own Blues Guru, Professor Jack Devaney, the James Cotton Blues Band warmed up the crowd with a few blues standards.

James' band included four pieces, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. The bassist was Noel Neal and the drummer Kenny Neal, Jr., so the Baton Rouge Neal clan was well represented!! James Cotton sat on a chair on the side of the stage, eyes closed and swaying to the music.

Finally, James took the stage, found his chair and table filled with harps, then proceeded to blow the house down. Due to throat cancer, James no longer sings, but his harmonica playing is still as good as it gets. Handling all the vocals, was lead guitarist Slam Allen who hails from Westchester, New York. Over the course of a solid 90 minute set, highlights included 'Rocket 88'..'Love Me or Leave Me'..and 'Blow Wind Blow'.

James Cotton was once an integral part of the Muddy Waters Blues Band leaving in 1966 to perform with his own group. James has always had a huge following most likely due to his many appearances over the years on bills with rock bands. This was brought home to me upon seeing some old Fillmore East and Fillmore West playbills that Jack Devaney brought with him to show James. There he was opening in 1970 for the Grateful Dead, Cream, and Creedence. Thank you Bill Graham for turning the white hippies onto James Cotton.

As I listened to James wail on harp on stage, at one point it sounded like a locomotive roaring down the tracks. But then, he could bring it down to a sad moan on other songs. The Mississippi saxophone is one of the easiest instruments to learn to play, but requires a whole lot of feeling and improvising in a band situation.

James Cotton gave us a clinic on the Blues this May 1, 2008. Reconnecting with old fans and turning on new ones to the Blues. Thanks to Matt for bringing James Cotton back to his old home in the northeast, The Stanhope House!

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