Biography
Sammy Cotton's time in the studio unfolded mostly from 1949 through 1952, placing him on the periphery of the wave of performers who were reshaping the sound of New Orleans. The track “Give Me One More Drink” earned its enduring reputation among disc jockeys and bartenders who favored lively gatherings, thanks both to its thematic focus and to the forceful delivery of its vocalist. Raising a toast might also acknowledge the emergence of rock & roll, because the sides Cotton cut for Derby and similar imprints deliver the same driving energy found in later releases issued after the fresh term for the style had been invented and popularized.
No one spoke of rock & roll while Derby was still recording and promoting its roster. Numbers such as “You’ve Been Mistreatin’ Me, Baby,” supported by the Paul Gayten Orchestra, fell outside the category that would later receive endorsement from Alan Freed, the disc jockey and promoter who asserted he had created the genre. Cotton additionally recorded for Regal and Deluxe. He served as one of the lead singers in saxophonist Freddie Mitchell’s expansive group, contributing to the equally storied after-hours anthem “We’re Gonna Ball This Mornin’.” This dynamic performer shares no family connection with harmonica specialist James Cotton.
No one spoke of rock & roll while Derby was still recording and promoting its roster. Numbers such as “You’ve Been Mistreatin’ Me, Baby,” supported by the Paul Gayten Orchestra, fell outside the category that would later receive endorsement from Alan Freed, the disc jockey and promoter who asserted he had created the genre. Cotton additionally recorded for Regal and Deluxe. He served as one of the lead singers in saxophonist Freddie Mitchell’s expansive group, contributing to the equally storied after-hours anthem “We’re Gonna Ball This Mornin’.” This dynamic performer shares no family connection with harmonica specialist James Cotton.