'Take Me Back' earned a Grammy nomination for harmonica master James Cotton after its release in 1987. After seeing blues (including his own) being heavily affected by rock 'n' roll in the 70's and 80's, Cotton decided to return to his roots and record an album of blues standards that have most influenced rock in an effort to "set the record straight about the history of rock 'n' roll."

Accompanied by blues luminaries and former Muddy Waters bandmates Pinetop Perkins on piano, Sammy Lawhorn on guitar, and Sam Lay on drums, Cotton recorded a sterling set of classic blues tunes that successfully captures the spirit and sound of the early days of Chicago blues.