I'm a Gambler
{{Infobox album
| name = I'm a Gambler
| type = studio
| artist = Little Milton
| cover = I'm a Gambler.jpg|border=yes
| alt =
| released = 1994
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio = Malaco
| length =
| label = Malaco{{cite book |title=The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings |date=2006 |publisher=Penguin Books |page=402}}
| producer = Tommy Couch, Wolf Stephenson
| prev_title = Strugglin' Lady
| prev_year = 1992
| next_title = Welcome to the Club: The Essential Chess Recordings
| next_year = 1994
}}
I'm a Gambler is an album by the American musician Little Milton, released in 1994.{{cite news |title=R&B Master Little Milton Meets Thin Turnout with Competence |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-05-22-9505220063-story.html |work=Hartford Courant |access-date=1 November 2021}}{{cite magazine |title=Jet Top 20 Albums |magazine=Jet |date=Sep 19, 1994 |volume=86 |issue=20 |page=62}} It was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award for best "Soul/Blues Album".{{cite news |last1=Nager |first1=Larry |title=Handys big on Grammy loser |work=The Commercial Appeal |date=March 4, 1995 |page=C1}} Little Milton promoted the album by touring the United States, Japan, and Europe.{{cite news |last1=Steinberg |first1=David |title=Guitarist Goes Deep for Blues' True Colors |work=Albuquerque Journal |date=July 28, 1995 |page=E19}}
Production
The album was recorded at Malaco Studios, where Milton had final say over the songs he recorded.{{cite news |title=Malaco Picks Up the Pieces |url=https://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2011/apr/20/malaco-picks-up-the-pieces/ |work=Jackson Free Press |access-date=1 November 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=David |title=Little Milton rips out a big blues sound |work=The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus |date=Jun 25, 1995 |page=H6}} It includes covers of songs by Johnny Ace and Percy Mayfield, among others. "Like a Rooster on a Hen" was written by the Memphis songwriting partnership of Ben Shaw and John Ward.{{cite news |last1=Donahue |first1=Michael |title=Listen Up |work=The Commercial Appeal |date=May 6, 1994 |page=E8}}
Critical reception
{{album ratings
|rev1 = AllMusic
|rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-a-gambler-mw0000117263|title=I'm a Gambler|website=AllMusic}}
|rev2 = The Commercial Appeal
|rev2score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite news |last1=Nager |first1=Larry |title=Recordings |work=The Commercial Appeal |date=August 13, 1994 |page=C4}}
|rev3 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
|rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |publisher=MUZE |volume=5 |page=267}}
|rev4 = MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide
|rev4score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite book |title=MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide |date=1998 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |page=354}}
}}
The Commercial Appeal stated: "Backed by his smoking band, Little Milton Campbell takes a good-humored look at the latest Delta blues theme." The Chicago Tribune called the album "as satisfying as his classic 1960s R&B catalog for Chicago's Chess Records."{{cite news |last1=Dahl |first1=Bill |title=Little Milton Doesn't Need to Ride the Bandwagon to Keep Up |work=Chicago Tribune |date=9 Sep 1994 |department=Friday |page=Take 2}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Wirt |first1=John |title=Little Milton I'm A Gambler Malaco |work=The Advocate |date=September 2, 1994 |department=Fun |page=6}}
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."
Track listing
{{Track listing
| all_writing =
| title1 = Casino Blues
| length1 =
| title2 = I've Got the Blues
| length2 =
| title3 = Poke Salad Annie
| length3 =
| title4 = Like a Rooster on a Hen
| length4 =
| title5 = Pledging My Love
| length5 =
| title6 = Love Is a Gamble
| length6 =
| title7 = That's All Right
| length7 =
| title8 = Baby Please
| length8 =
| title9 = You've Been Gone Too Long
| length9 =
| title10 = A Man Needs a Woman
| length10 =
| title11 = That's What a Good Woman Can Do
| length11 =
| total_length =
}}