Eddie Cotton – The Mirror
Malaco Music Group
12 tracks/54 minutes
Mississippi bluesman Eddie Cotton Jr. is the son of a clergyman and was raised on Gospel music. His journey moved to the blues and the long time electric bluesman from Mississippi plays his soulful music with funk, feeling and exuberance. He dropped his Live At The Alamo (his second album) in 2000 which got him noticed, won the International Blues Challenge in 2015, was nominated for a Blues Blast Music Award that year, too, and, with this release, has delivered seven superb albums for us to enjoy (along with being featured on another by Grady Champion).
When I got this album and put it on my CD player I had to listen all the way through. This is an amazing soul blues release. Without question it is the best soul blues album I’ve heard in at least a year, and probably longer. His vocals and guitar work are really something to enjoy and even revere. It is that good.
The album starts with “Woman Satisfied,” a song were Cotton admits to us that he can’t keep his woman satisfied. Funky and soulful, it’s got a great groove, super vocals and guitar and some nice organ work. Next is “Your Specialty,” another funky soul cut that Cotton delivers with authority. Fine guitar work and his effervescent vocals grab the listener’s attention. “Don’t Move From The Mirror” is the title cut of sorts, slow, soulful and just a pretty song with thoughtful guitar, organ and restrained but howling vocals.
“Double Down On A Nine” is a pretty shuffle with stinging guitar licks and warns us of what not to do in Blackjack. “Gimme What I Paid For” is the next track, a funky and driving cut that will make you want to get up and dance. Cotton’s vocals are powerful and make you take note. Of course he delivers more super guitar licks. Then we have “I Want You,” a somber and soulful ballad that is a perfect belly rubbing dance cut. Restrained and thoughtful guitar and passionate vocals are the order of the day here.
Cotton continues in the slow, soulful mode with “Leaning Towards Leaving” He’s smooth and cool in his delivery. “My Good Thing” follows, and here were get some harp and organ backing Eddie. They all get time out front as does his outstanding guitar.
“No Crime No Time” follows, featuring some dramatic piano and stellar guitar on this slow and savory blues. He kills it on the guitar and give us a truly memorable performance.
He gets funky again “No King No Queen” as his silky vocals and poignant guitar deliver another exemplary performance. He sings of every king having a queen standing by his side, a love partnership that will conquer anything. “Sweet Science Of Love” gets us back to pretty and slow blues in this outstanding love song. He sings with passion and plays with a beautiful ringing style. Eddie concludes with “Under The Cover Of Darkness” where guitar and harp open the track with some greasy and beautiful stuff.
Eddie Cotton is a master of soul blues. At 54 years of age he is of a generation of many blues guitar greats and can hold his own with any of them and pretty much anyone else. In the soul blues world he has few equals. This is by far his best recording effort and it will surely garner much attention in the blues awards world. You must own this album. That is all.
