Music To Listen To

Around our house we have an unwritten rule: No Christmas decorations or holiday music until AFTER Thanksgiving. But we're making an exception for "Big Harp George" Bisharat's new CD, Big Harp George Does Christmas, featuring folks like Kid Anderson, Joe Kyle Jr., D'Mar Martin, and even on one track recorded back in 2019 or 2020, the late Charles "Little Charlie" Baty.

Hey ... good blues is for all year 'round, right?

Hello Everyone, in 2015 three of my all time favorite Artists were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including:

1. Paul Butterfield
2. Bill Withers
3. Stevie Ray Vaughn

Bill Withers was truly an inspiration to me with his two mega hits, "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine". When I was in the studio, I felt honored to arrange and record this Bill Withers medley. Joining me in the studio: continue reading...

 ... nothing borrowed, and ALL blues!

Just got two great CDs from Charlie Lange at www.bluebeatmusic.com: continue reading...

Great Harmonica groove with a Low D. I don't know who is playing the harp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB1weqTzLzg

On David's recommendation I purchased Steve Baker's new CD, "Too Much Is Never Enough." Great stuff.

Of course, Baker is a World Treasure when it comes to harmonica, known as one of the players who got Hohner to snap to attention some years ago with quality control, and he's the organizer of wonderful international harmonica events.

But he's also an insiightful songwriter and bandleader, and is able to make a lot of styles sound great. From blues, to folk, to pop, there's wonderful stuff on this CD. continue reading...

Hello All, listen to my Tip-of-the-Hat to Little Walter's 1955 hit, "MY BABE". 

My Boyz and Nashville Producer, Bobby Bradley had a fun time in the studio with this one.

Link:

https://harpsmith.com/media

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

Do tremolo or octave harps have a place in blues?

Often I see someone post of a Facebook forum asking if they can play blues on a tremolo or octave harp they happen to own, and several responders say emphatically "NO!" and then tell them to get a diatonic (usually the responder's favorite model).

But, in fact, both types have been used in notable – though rare – recordings by two of the great blues harmonica stylists, Jerry McCain and Little Walter. continue reading...

A couple of years ago I learned about Seattle-based Joel Astley when he appeared here in Sacramento with Rockin' Johnny Burgin. Back then he sounded really, really good. He returned just this past week with his own band, and sounded GREAT. Like he'd been doing some serious woodshedding on both his chops and his stage presentation. continue reading...

A whole lot of folks, including Dennis Gruenling, have said this is THE collection to have: "Big Walter Horton: Blues Harmonica Giant." Three CDs, from JSP Records in the UK. Ordered it from Charlie Lange at https://bluebeatmusic.com/ Just started listening. What an amazing collection!

Check out this original composition written by me with a little help from my friends. 

Lead VOX and Harmonica (of course): Kinya Pollard

Guitar and Backup VOX: Tom Landry (I've know this dude for over 60 years!)

Bass: Colby Pollard (my Baby Bro)

Drums: Terry Carleton (we were in the same HS rock band)

Producer: Bobby Bradley (nephew of Nashville legend, Owen Bradley)

LINK:

https://harpsmith.com/soundcloud