James Cotton a blues `Giant'; Legend to perform in Fitchburg.

• Position: GO!

Byline: Lynne Klaft

`My mother, she didn't play blues, she played the sound of the train, and chicken layin' eggs actually had a lot to do (with) that, playin' the freight train; I played when she played," says James "Superharp" Cotton, who is still going strong at 75.

The blues legend will be at Fitchburg State University's CenterStage in Weston Auditorium Saturday.

Celebrating 66 years of performance, Cotton has returned to Alligator Records and released a new CD, "Giant," last month featuring 12 tracks and four new Cotton originals and co-writes.

"His signature gigantic harp sound and blast-furnace attack are unmatched even at 75; he truly is an international icon on blues harmonica," said Bruce Iglauer, president of Alligator Records in Chicago. "`Giant' says it all, his playing is a force of nature."

This weekend's audience can look forward to hearing cuts from the album, as well as old favorites. Cotton promises a full-out 90-minute foot-stomping evening of the blues.

So how does he keep up the energy after all these years?

"Gonna walk out on the bandstand, give them me, give them fun, they give me them!" said Cotton, who will be playing with Tom Holland (guitar/vocals), Slam Allen (guitar/vocals), Noel Neal (bass) and Kenny Neal Jr. (drums).

Cotton's colorful career is peopled with characters from the history of the blues - from the Delta to Chicago and beyond. He was awarded a Grammy in 1996 and inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2006. The Smithsonian has placed one of his harmonicas in its permanent collection.

During his 12 years with Muddy Waters, he arranged "Got My Mojo Workin'," which to this day is his all-time favorite.

In 1966...