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Ball N' Chain

by Big Mama Thornton

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Unlucky Girl 03:20
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Hound Dog 03:01
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School Boy 04:30
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Black Rat 02:51
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Life Goes On 03:28
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Bumble Bee 04:12
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about

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.

credits

released January 1, 1989

1989, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Originally released on Arhoolie Records.

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Big Mama Thornton San Francisco, California

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