BIG MAMA THORNTON — In Europa (1965-2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton was part of the American Folk Blues Festival revue which toured Europe in 1965, so when it was time to record this session on October 20 at Wessex Studio in London, she had a crack impromptu blues band at her disposal, including a young Buddy Guy on guitar, Fred Below on drums, Eddie Boyd on piano and organ, and Jimmie Lee Robinson on bass. Walter "Shakey" Horton added his harmonica on a trio of tracks, and Thornton also sat down and recorded three powerful songs accompanied only by Mississippi Fred McDowell's elegant slide guitar playing. Thornton added her own harmonica and drums to a few tracks, as well, and the end result is a very special blues session that shows off Thornton's multifaceted and expansive stage presence. The original LP from the session came out that same year from Chris Strachwitz's Arhoolie Records, and for this CD reissue, six more tracks have been added, including alternate takes of "Hound Dog" and "Swing It on Home," which brings the length of this generous disc to just under 80 minutes. Among the many highlights are a spooky, atmospheric reading of Willie Dixon's "Little Red Rooster," the seemingly autobiographical "Unlucky Girl," which Thornton wrote with Jack DuPree, and a pair of takes of her signature song, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller's "Hound Dog." Also worth noting is Thornton's gutbucket drumming on "Session Blues" and the raggedly perfect "I Need Your Love." The showstoppers, though, are the three songs she does with McDowell, whose gorgeous slide playing sets up some of Thornton's most nuanced and measured singing on "My Heavy Load," "School Boy," and the ominous and stunning "Chauffeur Blues." The album ends with Strachwitz interviewing Thornton, and the whole set provides a perfect introduction to this spunky and innovative blues artist. Steve Leggett  
Tracklist :
1. Sweet Little Angel 5:30
Arranged By – Willie Mae Thornton
2. The Place 2:35
Written By – C. Morris & J. Rutledge
3. Little Red Rooster 4:28
Willie Dixon
4. Unlucky Girl 3:20
Champion Jack Dupree / Willie Mae Thornton
5. Houng Dog 3:00
Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller
6. Swing It on Home 1:51
Willie Mae Thornton
7. Your Love Is Where It Ought to Be 3:50
Willie Mae Thornton
8. Session Blues 4:46
Willie Mae Thornton
9. Down Home Shake Down 3:37
Willie Mae Thornton
10. My Heavy Load 5:49
Mississippi Fred McDowell / Willie Mae Thornton
11. School Boy 4:30
Mississippi Fred McDowell / Willie Mae Thornton
- BONUS TRACKS -
12. I Need Your Love 3:19
Written By – DAR
13. Good Time in London 4:25
Willie Mae Thornton
14. Chauffeur Blues 5:07
Slide Guitar – Fred McDowell
Written-By – Ernest Lawlar, Willie Mae Thornton
15. Swing It on Home 3:24
Willie Mae Thornton
16. Hound Dog 3:11
Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller
17.    Big Mama Talks with Chris Strachwitz 15:56
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Lee Robinson
Blues Harp – Walter "Shakey" Horton (tracks: 4, 5, 8, 9 and 13), Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton (tracks: 7, 9, 12 and13)
Composed By – Willie Mae Thornton
Drums – Fred Below
Guitar – Buddy Guy
Piano, Organ – Eddie Boyd
Vocals – Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton