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Forums :: Blues Chromatic

Suggestions for best chromatic blues songs?

3 replies [Last post]
Thu, 05/21/2015 - 11:54
George Bisharat
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Joined: 12/10/2010

Hey Blues Chromo friends!

I'm conversing over Facebook with a harp player in Barcelona and we've decided to generate a list of best all time blues chromatic songs (meaning a song which employs chromatic harp, either exclusively or with vocals, or diatonic, doesn't matter). This is just for fun, no particular point to it. I have my ideas and opinions, of course, but I'm sure my listening is partial and there's probably lots of great stuff out there I've never heard. We'll probably keep the list to twenty songs.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

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Fri, 05/22/2015 - 08:21
#1
Expert Winslow Yerxa
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Start with the players

I'd start by checking out the recorded works (and maybe Youtube live performances) of the best known blues chromatic players, which could include, for starters:

Little Walter

George Smith

Rod Piazza

Paul deLay

William Clarke

Mitch Kashmar

Kim Wilson

Dennis Gruenling

When it comes to an additional influence on post-1960s players, I'd include one or two early Stevie Wonder tunes, as his slidework on the 6-note blues scale has worked its way into the modern approach to third-position chromatic.

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Tue, 06/30/2015 - 07:16
#2
slucey
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Joined: 12/19/2009
chromatic song suggestion

George, i just began chromatic lessons today based on hearing the song from the classic french movie.."Manon of the Spring"

Its a beautiful song....there is tab on Utube by Paul laskey....

check it out....

Steve

Portland or

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Thu, 07/02/2015 - 08:12
#3
Expert Winslow Yerxa
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Beautiful tunes from opera

The theme from the Jean de Florette/Manon of the Spring series of movies was taken from a 19th century opera and played on the soundtrack by Toots Thielemans. It's a beautiful, haunting melody. But a long way stylistically from blues.

That said, some of the greatest blues harmonica players have taken up non-blues themes on chromatic, as when George Smith recorded "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." It doesn't hurt to broaden your horizons.

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