High Compression


High Compression is an album by the American musician James Cotton, released in 1984. He supported it with a North American tour.

Production

The album was produced by Bruce Iglauer and Cotton. He recorded the album with two backing groups, one made up of longtime Chicago blues practitioners, including the guitarist Guitar Slim and the pianist Pinetop Perkins, the other of younger musicians, including the guitarist Michael Coleman. Cotton wanted to update his sound by adding a horn section and funk influences to some of the tracks. "Diggin' My Potatoes" was written by Washboard Sam. "No Cuttin' Loose" is a cover of the Junior Parker song. "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" is a version of the Bobby Bland song. "23 Hours Too Long" was written by Eddie Boyd. "Ying Yang" is a cover of the Steve Miller song.

Critical reception

The Commercial Appeal called Cotton's playing "superb in tone and interpretation." The Houston Chronicle opined that "James's vocals are a tad hoarse, but it's that big, booming harmonica which takes over". The Daily Press said, "The combination of his steel-shredding harp solos set off against his roaring vocals... is a fearsome sound to behold." The Boston Globe noted the "relaxed authority and self-assuredness about the man's voice."

Track listing