The Record Company - Ball And Chain

Thursday, time for a cover.

"Ball And Chain" (also "Ball 'n' Chain" or "Ball & Chain") is a blues song written and recorded by American blues artist Big Mama Thornton. Although her recording did not appear on the record charts, the song has become one of Thornton's best-known, largely due to performances and recordings by Janis Joplin.

Big Mama Thornton's "Ball and Chain" is included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame list of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll".

Grammy-nominated Los Angeles-based rock band THE RECORD COMPANY are set to return with Side Project, an EP featuring covers of some of their favorite, most influential artists. Produced by bassist Alex Stiff, the record is set for release May 19 via Concord Records; listen to the band's cover of the Big Mama Thornton classic "Ball And Chain", below.

"The pandemic forced us to try an entirely different approach to our process, with everyone working from home," the band explains. "With 'Ball And Chain,' we used some really non-traditional home methods and ended up finding some new sounds we may not have found otherwise."

"Side Project is what happens when three guys who have always been in bands finish their record, are locked away from each other, and are told they need to make more 'content,'" they add. "So, we took songs we love, fed them up, cut them up and twisted them around, until we loved it and felt like a band again."

Enjoy today's cover of “Ball And Chain” by THE RECORD COMPANY



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Official The Record Company Web

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Big Mama Thornton - Ball And Chain

Sunday, time for a classic.

Big Mama Thornton, was an American rhythm-and-blues singer and songwriter. She was the first to record Leiber and Stoller's "Hound Dog", in 1952, which became her biggest hit, staying seven weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B chart in 1953 and selling almost two million copies. Thornton's other recordings included the original version of "Ball and Chain", which she wrote.

Today's tune "Ball And Chain" is a blues song written and recorded by American blues artist Big Mama Thornton. Although her recording did not appear on the record charts, the song has become one of Thornton's best-known, largely due to performances and recordings by Janis Joplin.

In the early 1960s,Thornton recorded several songs for Bay-Tone Records. Two were released on a single, "You Did Me Wrong" and "Big Mama's Blues".A review by Billboard magazine noted "moderate sales potential", but it did not enter the magazine's R&B single chart. According to music writer Gillian Gaar, Thornton also recorded "Ball And Chain" for Bay Tone, although it was never released.

In 1968, Arhoolie Records released "Ball And Chain". An edited version, titled "Ball And Chain Part 1" was released as a single, while the complete four and a half minute song is included on a joint album by Thornton, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Larry Williams titled "Ball And Chain". Thornton is backed by a small combo with her frequent guitar accompanist Edward "Bee" Houston. She later recorded several live and studio performances of the song, included her 1969 Billboard Top 200 album "Stronger Than Dirt".

Today's version of "Ball And Chain" is Big Mama Thornton with Buddy Guy's Blues Band. Enjoy!



More info @

Official Big Mama Thornton Wiki

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