Ball N' Chain
Nicknamed “Big Mama” because of her striking voice and presence, blues singer Willie Mae Thornton devoted her life to music. Learning to sing in church as a child, Big Mama left home at the age of 14 to tour with the Hot Harlem Review, teaching herself to play drums and harmonica along the way. This 1989 release includes tracks from her Arhoolie recording sessions with Buddy Guy’s “All Star” band in 1965 and Muddy Waters’ blues band in 1966. This compilation features two of her greatest hits: “Hound Dog,” later made famous by Elvis Presley, and “Ball ‘N Chain,” written by Big Mama herself and later recorded by Janis Joplin. Liner notes include a biography of the artist.
Track Listing
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101
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Sweet Little Angel | Big Mama Thornton | 5:30 | |
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102
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Unlucky Girl | Big Mama Thornton | 3:20 | |
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103
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Swing It On Home | Big Mama Thornton | 1:55 | |
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104
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Little Red Rooster | Big Mama Thornton | 4:28 | |
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105
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Hound Dog | Big Mama Thornton | 3:01 | |
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106
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Your Love Is Where It Ought To Be | Big Mama Thornton | 3:49 | |
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107
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School Boy | Big Mama Thornton | 4:30 | |
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108
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My Heavy Load | Big Mama Thornton | 5:48 | |
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109
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I'm Feeling Alright | Big Mama Thornton | 3:00 | |
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110
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Sometimes I Have A Heartache | Big Mama Thornton | 3:48 | |
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111
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Black Rat | Big Mama Thornton | 2:51 | |
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112
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Life Goes On | Big Mama Thornton | 3:28 | |
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113
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Bumble Bee | Big Mama Thornton | 4:12 | |
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114
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Gimme A Penny | Big Mama Thornton | 4:37 | |
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115
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Wade In The Water | Big Mama Thornton | 2:56 | |
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116
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Ball N' Chain | Big Mama Thornton | 4:31 |
Album Info
Folkways Suggests
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Hell Bound and Heaven Sent BluesBig Joe Williams and Short Stuff
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Big Mama Thornton with the Muddy Waters Blues Band - 1966Big Mama Thornton
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W. C. Handy Blues: As Sung by His Daughter Katharine Handy Lewis inKatharine Handy Lewis
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In EuropeBig Mama Thornton
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The Atlanta BluesVarious Artists
