ken c's foray into harmonica blues...

One of the best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aroEQWe974s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osEw60fx0I4

Highly recommended.

Blues harp is a great genre. It spans many years from the earliest delta blues days to the present.

Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee have a big sound for a twosome. I have their Folkways recording, which is excellent, and a live recording complete with foot stomps and whooping. They really are something.

Some others I listen to a lot are Walter Jacobs, Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton, Sonny Boy Williamson, and John Hammond. Some of these are electric Chicago blues though.

Last year, my wife and I saw John Hammond perform at a small church in the south. If he was just a guitar player, he'd be considered with the best in the styles that he plays. If he just played the blues harp, he would again be considered one of the best. For 90 minutes, this guy played the Devil's own guitar, with intricate finger style playing, picking, and a lot of songs playing slide guitar. Then at times he would let rip on that harp, blowing and sucking notes, all the while looking like his eyes were going to pop out of their sockets. But in a good way. He introduced each song with a story, and all through the show, he showed tremendous respect and gratitude for the artists whose songs he sang. He took us on a literal tour through a history of the blues from the delta on up to Chicago, and when he finished, he was given a rather long standing ovation.

BBM

That's one excellent James Cotton album.

BBM

i knew i would get a gem out of this thread! thanks Haim -- this will be order st away. not sure why i dont have it already given that i like Charlie Haden (bless his soul)

2 "Little Sonny" albums just came through the post from Amazon -- will comment later...

enjoy

ken

Hi Ken,

Where to begin! There is so much good harmonica blues.

Rather than giving a long list I'll suggest a couple at a time. I recently introduced Wat and Stu to these two albums which they hadn't heard before but thoroughly enjoyed. These are examples of West Coast Blues with amplified harmonica.

Also known as George 'Harmonica' Smith with Bacon Fat.

With Rod Piazza (also see Dirty Blues Band). 

Both of these albums are hellishly expensive to buy on original vinyl but both albums are included on this CD;

ATB

Steve

thanks Steve!! what took you so long? 

i will definitely get this one too -- on CD for now.

i still have to arrange to collect "Benefit" from you -- one of these days -- sorry about delay

enjoy

ken

   One of my current faves.

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFaiPjGUO4M

There is some astonishing harmonica playing on this, but the first PB album and East West are also superb, with the added element of Mike Bloomfield on guitar.

Junior Wells

And Little Walter, as mentioned above!

thanks for taking th time to contribute -- interesting write-up too. i try to play harmonica myself -- not at all well i am afraid -- lack of breath control in old age 

i am about to finalise an order as a result of suggestions here -- quite a few CDs -- but thats great as that is exacrly what i was after.

".... , all the while looking like his eyes were going to pop out of their sockets. But in a good way. He introduced each song with a story, and all through the show, he showed tremendous respect and gratitude for the artists whose songs he sang. He took us on a literal tour through a history of the blues from the delta on up to Chicago, and when he finished, he was given a rather long standing ovation."

brilliant -- now you made me feel like i was there!!!

enjoy

ken

I can't disagree with those choices Cdb. Hoodoo Man Blues is one of my favourite Junior Wells albums.

A few others of his I can recommend are;

The above are easily available on Delmark vinyl and CD

A terrific live recording available quite cheaply on vinyl (French)

.....and a more recent release:

Buy the CD version as the vinyl pressing isn't very good.

ATB

Steve

More tomorrow.

ken,

I would strongly recommend four Charlie Musselwhite albums. The first two are from 1965/66 and are called "Stand Back" and "Tennessee Woman". The second two are from the mid 90's and are called "Sanctuary" and "Delta Hardware". This man has stood the test of time.

BBM

A few British related albums with blues harp players;

Try these

   Kim Wilson
    Jimmy Reed
    Carey Bell
    Magic Dick
    Paul deLay
    DeFord Bailey
    Charlie Musselwhite
    Howlin' Wolf
    Billy Branch
    William Clarke

    Jason Ricci

    Sugar Blue

    Billy Boy Arnold

    Gary Primach

    Jerry Portnoy

    Rod Piazza

    Paul Oscher

    Johnny Sansone

    Curtis Salgado

    Lee Oskar

    Mark Hummel

    John Nemeth

    Bob Corritore

To name but a few.

If you like older players from the years gone by 

Freeman Stowers

Jed Davenport

Palmer McAbee

Blues Birdhead

Noah Lewis.

this one is already in my collection -- but perhaps i have already mentioned this...

but thanks for the additional recommendations -- a lot of music to buy...!

compiling a wish list for now on amazon -- then big order afterwards...

enjoy

ken

arrived today. being ripped 'as we speak'

will see how i get on with these and then get some more. thanks guys!

enjoy

ken

I've got Charlie Musselwhite's Deluxe Edition (yes, that's actually the name of the album) from 2005 which is excellent. By bizarre coincidence, I used to teach a boy called Charlie Musselwhite who had never heard of his famous namesake until I showed him. He has amused when I showed him the liner from Deluxe Edition which folds out into a poster with 'his' name on.

I have admired John Hammond's work for a while, but it's difficult to choose an album or two to buy when the chap's made so damn many. Could someone recommend one or two of his albums where he just plays guitar and harmonica with no backing band? I like the stripped-down style. Not bothered whether live or studio recording as long as it's good.

Thanks,

Mark

Mark,

For a stripped down John Hammond recording, I would recommend "Country Blues" from 1965 on Vanguard.

Check out any albums from Little Charlie and the Nightcats. More uptown than a lot of what has been suggested, with incredible harmonica. Albums from Rick Estrin and the Nightcats are okay, but Rick's stuff with guitarist Little Charlie Baty was fresher and more energetic. Hilarious lyrics as well.