This 60-minute album is an excellent Big Mama anthology; includes Hound Dog, which she was the first to record and popularize, long before Elvis Presley (and only received $500 for it, even though over 2 million copies were sold). The title song, which Big Mama wrote, was recorded also by Janis Joplin -- but Big Mama never received any royalties, because she had to sign over the copyright in order to record it herself! (And please note that this artist died at age 57, in virtual financial destitution... how different it would have been had she been compensated for her tremendous contributions!) Other titles here are Wade In the Water, Little Red Rooster, Unlucky Girl and more. She was also a drummer and harmonica player, and one selection here features her on both.

Thornton,Big Mama