Oct 032011
Check out this video from Big Mama Thornton:
Now you show me a song/performance that oozes sex more than this one.
I don’t know much about Big Mama. I didn’t realize she was still performing in 1971. She would have been 45 years old then and looks a decade or two older. Looking at other videos—and you’d be wise to check more out, especially this one:
You can see why she was called “Big,” not evident in the first video. She must have had some hard traveling.
If you really want to get to know her music, start by buying this: http://www.amazon.com/Hound-Dog-Big-Mama-Thornton/dp/B000002OM2/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_3
That second clip seems to be from a German TV show. I love her ensemble. That show is where this version of Hound Dog comes from;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SfkFG_rVCI
When you hear her sing it, it’s hard to imagine anyone caring about Elvis’ version.
I’d never heard her beside “Hound Dog.” These clips make me want to hear more. And now I’ve got to read up on her a bit. I know nothing about her. The early ’70s clip al posted looks like it’s got some good history behind it.
My buddy’s a big blues fan. I wonder if he’s got any of her stuff. I didn’t even mind lsitening to Buddy Guy on that stuff. She can really wail.
Her back-up band is priceless.