Bill Cosby's vocal albums are an eccentric and self-indulgent lot at best, more notable for the efforts of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band than Cos' tongue-in-cheek attempts at singing. Silver Throat is a particularly strange entry, eschewing the funk sensibilities of other Cosby records in favor of a gritty, blues-inspired approach that doesn't really work with the comedian's limited range. Songs like Willie Dixon's "Big Boss Man" and Ray Charles' "I Got a Woman" are presented in fairly straightforward renditions, but Cosby deliberately mucks with the lyrics to varying degrees of comedic success -- most impressive is "Lil Ole Man," a wry narrative recited over a backing track that essentially recapitulates Stevie Wonder's classic "Uptight (Everything Is Alright)." ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
This was Cosby's first album that was recorded in the studio, as well as his first album that showcased his singing, backed by the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. The album consisted mostly of straightforward rhythm and blues performances, including several Jimmy Reed songs, a cover version of Ray Charles' "I Got a Woman" with slightly comedic lyrics, "Mojo Workout", which was a sequel to the Muddy Waters classic "I Got My Mojo Workin'", and "Little Ole Man" which combined a comedic monologue with Stevie Wonder's "Uptight, Everything's Alright". Also included is an original song credited to Cosby, "Don'cha Know".
"Little Ole Man" became a major hit upon release as a single, attaining gold record status for selling one million copies in the United States and reaching #4 on the U.S. Hot 100 chart.
