Music To Listen To

Here's a good article that explains the difference between digital (mp3's & CD's) vs. records.

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question487.htm

For a while I always rolled my eyes when my older musician friends talked about the audio quality regression of this current generation but my records do sound much richer.

You won't be able to hear all the tone nuances by listening to just those mp3's or CD's you have. It becomes important when listening to instruments such as drums or harmonica. There's also something romantic and nostalgic about playing records. To me at least. continue reading...

I also found this great list of harp players I wanted to share. It has a short description of them as well.

http://www.harmonicalinks.com/maleblue.html

-Taylor

While probably not the most technical player out there, I really dig Slim Harpo. Someone recently posted a recommendation on Little George Sueref, and I've been really enjoying that too. I've read some places that this style is called swamp blues. It may be wrong, I'm a little ignorant to this. Can anyone recommend some other good "Swamp Style" players? (If that is even a genre).

-Taylor

After watching the interview on here I went and downloaded Joe Filisko's I.C. Special from Amazon http://amzn.com/B0035RVQLC . I know it's old news but, wow. Inspiring.
-Taylor

One of the bands that definitely got me interested in playing blues harmonica is The Legendary Shack Shakers. It's not traditional blues. It's more rockabilly, heavy rock n' roll, punk, blues. JD Wilkes plays blues style harmonica though and has a pretty powerful, unique sound, with tons of feeling (albeit very aggressive). He also sings much of the time through his harp mic and makes it work. continue reading...

We had a swingin' harp player by the name of Juke Joint Johnny play the other night at my restaurant/bar. He lives in Charleston, SC. If you are ever in the area go check him out, you will not be disappointed! He does a lot of straight up blues, but he has an amazing sense of melody and blew on songs most harp players wouldn't (or shouldn't)touch. Here is a link to some video I took of him doing Sad Hours and House of Blue Lights. Check out his version of Fly Me To The Moon.

His partner Drew is playing a 100 year old, 5 bass Dyer Harp Guitar.

Sad Hours continue reading...

Gary Smith mentions 'Blues for Big Scotia' by Oscar Peterson in his Blues for Mr B submission. Just found it on YouTube here and thought it might be of interest to others:

http://youtu.be/yGVpeqjL1SQ

I am looking for some good song examples in the key of C. Looking to see what players use between a F harp and low F harp. I can't think of any blues songs that I have with harp in the key of C. Thanks.

I've found I really like the acoustic format of one guitar, one voice and one harp.

I started off with Sonny & Brownie of course, spent some time with The Suitcase Brothers and now I'm giving Steve Guyger & Richard Ray Farrell's cd "Down Home School Country Blues" endless repeated listenings.

Who do you think should be next on my playlist who I might not have heard of?

I recently picked up this 5-CD set from Charlie at Bluebeat Music, upgrading from an earlier box set that didn't have as much as this one.

What an amazing amount of great blues harmonica! This is essential listening for anyone who likes or wants to play modern urban blues harmonica.

It's really interesting to hear the alternate takes to well-known classics.

For instance, you can hear the "other" Juke from the same recording session, which sounds very little like the issued take, and the 1967 version (in G!) from the "Super Blues" sessions with Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley. continue reading...