I'm a Gambler is an album by the American musician Little Milton, released in 1994.[2][3] It was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for best "Soul/Blues Album".[4] Little Milton promoted the album by touring the United States, Japan, and Europe.[5]

I'm a Gambler
Studio album by
Released1994
StudioMalaco
GenreBlues, R&B, soul
LabelMalaco[1]
ProducerTommy Couch, Wolf Stephenson
Little Milton chronology
Strugglin' Lady
(1992)
I'm a Gambler
(1994)
Welcome to the Club: The Essential Chess Recordings
(1994)

Production

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The album was recorded at Malaco Studios, where Milton had final say over the songs he recorded.[6][7] It includes covers of songs by Johnny Ace and Percy Mayfield, among others.[8] "Like a Rooster on a Hen" was written by the Memphis songwriting partnership of Ben Shaw and John Ward.[9]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [10]
The Commercial Appeal    [8]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [11]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide     [12]

The Commercial Appeal stated: "Backed by his smoking band, Little Milton Campbell takes a good-humored look at the latest Delta blues theme."[8] The Chicago Tribune called the album "as satisfying as his classic 1960s R&B catalog for Chicago's Chess Records."[13] The Advocate thought that "Casino Blues" "eyes heartbreak with a wink and a chuckle," and praised the "brassy, soulful style" of the album's other songs.[14]

AllMusic wrote that "Milton sings with vigor, like he was feeling at the top of his game when he recorded this CD—and no wonder, since the material is quite strong."[10]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Casino Blues" 
2."I've Got the Blues" 
3."Poke Salad Annie" 
4."Like a Rooster on a Hen" 
5."Pledging My Love" 
6."Love Is a Gamble" 
7."That's All Right" 
8."Baby Please" 
9."You've Been Gone Too Long" 
10."A Man Needs a Woman" 
11."That's What a Good Woman Can Do" 

References

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  1. ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 402.
  2. ^ "R&B Master Little Milton Meets Thin Turnout with Competence". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Jet Top 20 Albums". Jet. Vol. 86, no. 20. Sep 19, 1994. p. 62.
  4. ^ Nager, Larry (March 4, 1995). "Handys big on Grammy loser". The Commercial Appeal. p. C1.
  5. ^ Steinberg, David (July 28, 1995). "Guitarist Goes Deep for Blues' True Colors". Albuquerque Journal. p. E19.
  6. ^ "Malaco Picks Up the Pieces". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  7. ^ Baker, David (Jun 25, 1995). "Little Milton rips out a big blues sound". The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus. p. H6.
  8. ^ a b c Nager, Larry (August 13, 1994). "Recordings". The Commercial Appeal. p. C4.
  9. ^ Donahue, Michael (May 6, 1994). "Listen Up". The Commercial Appeal. p. E8.
  10. ^ a b "I'm a Gambler". AllMusic.
  11. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 5. MUZE. p. 267.
  12. ^ MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 354.
  13. ^ Dahl, Bill (9 Sep 1994). "Little Milton Doesn't Need to Ride the Bandwagon to Keep Up". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. Take 2.
  14. ^ Wirt, John (September 2, 1994). "Little Milton I'm A Gambler Malaco". Fun. The Advocate. p. 6.