By j. poet | Published February 2022
This recording by Thornton was recorded live in 1977 at a club in Montreal. It shows the singer in fine form, still youthful at 51. Backed by a solid band, she presents a greatest hits program that still resonates.
The opener, “Tell Me Pretty Baby,” shows off Thornton’s playful side. She dances around the melody, abandoning the lyrics in favor of jovial asides to the crowd and the band, whispering, shouting and encouraging all to have a good time. She closes with a brief vamp on the Howlin’ Wolf/Willie Dixon standard “Spoonful.”
She invites guitarist Johnny Primer to step out on B.B. King’s “Rock Me Baby,” augmenting his lead with her own harmonica fills. Her powerful rendering of “Ball And Chain” opens with a shout-out to Janis Joplin, then she shows off her range with improvisations that jump between whispered asides and fervid growls.
She takes a more humorous approach on “Summertime,” playing with the lyrics — “You daddy’s good lookin’/ That’s why I married him” — while encouraging everyone “to take to the sky.” Her big hit, “Hound Dog,” gets a rock groove. She sings with a combination of anger and humor that befits the ironic lyrics.
On “Sassy Mama,” she abandons the libretto and gives the band space to show off their chops on piano and guitar. The last track on this reissue is an EDM remix of “Hound Dog” that’s heavy on dub effects, an odd choice to tack onto such an impressive performance.
Sassy Mama: Live At The Rising Sun Celebrity Jazz Club: Tell Me Pretty Baby; Rock Me Baby; Ball And Chain; Watermelon Man; Summertime; Medley: Hound Dog/Walkin The Dog; Medley: Sweet Little Angel/Three O’Clock; Sassy Mama; Hound Dog (NerdStar remix). (49:10)
Personnel: Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, vocals, harmonica; Phil Guy, Johnny Primer, guitar; Johnny “Big Moose” Walker, piano.
Ordering Info: justin-time.com
