James Cotton is best known for his long-running stint as Muddy Waters's harmonica player, but the man was certainly no slouch as a solo artist throughout the '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, and beyond. VANGUARD VISIONARIES collects tracks Cotton recorded in the 1960s for the Vanguard label. Though not essential Cotton, the set is a nice dose of classic Chicago blues, and has no shortage of the mighty bluesman's roaring vocals and swirling harp, both of which are delivered with ferocious locomotive breath control.
