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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Top modern harmonica instrumentals?

4 replies [Last post]
Mon, 11/05/2018 - 16:20
marcgraci
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Teacher 9Level 10
Joined: 07/15/2013

In your intro to Minor Mambo, you mention that it's one of the Top 10 modern harmonica instrumentals. What else would you put in that list? (I don't expect you have a formal list, but what instrumentals spring to mind?)

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Tue, 11/06/2018 - 09:14
#1
David Barrett
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Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello again Marc. When I was

Hello again Marc. When I was writing my Improvising Blues Harmonica book, I analyzed every instrumental in my collection, and these stood out as being great songs...

1. Annie’s Rocker Annie Raines L F 2002 Blues Harp Meltdown Vol. 2 Mountain Top E A 2
2. Sweet Tooth Annie Raines 1999 Moving to the Country Tone-Cool E A 2
3. Soul Sanctuary Big Al Blake - Hollywood Blue Flames Soul Sanctuary E A 2
4. River II Carlos Del Junco 1999 Big Boy Big Reed E A 2
5. Tribute To Little Walter, A Charlie McCoy L 1991 Harpin’ the Blues Monument E A 2
6. Christo Redemptor Charlie Musselwhite L 66-68 Blow’n the Blues Vanguard C Bb 3
7. Ashburn Blues Dennis Gruenling 1999 Jump Time BackBender F LEb 3
8. Chrome Bullet Boogie Gary Smith 2001 Blues for Mr. B Mountain Top E A 2
9. Hard Times Gary Smith 2001 Blues for Mr. B Mountain Top F Bb 2
10. South Bay Beatdown Gary Smith 2001 Blues for Mr. B Mountain Top E A 2
11. Too Late Gary Smith F 2001 Blues for Mr. B Mountain Top G C 2
12. Walk, The Gary Smith F 1991 Up The Line Messaround F Bb 2
13. Blues For Big Nate Jerry Portnoy Red Hot ‘n’ Blue E A 2
14. Cleo's Mood Kim Wilson 2006 Barrelhouse Chuck “Got My Eyes on You” Sirens SR-5014 Gm C 2
15. Club Zanzibar Kim Wilson 2003 Kirk Fletcher, Shades of Blue CrossCut F Bb 2
16. Whammer Jammer Magic Dick L F G 1972 More Harmonica Classics Rhino E A 2
17. Big Leg Mama Mark Hummel L F 1990 Harmonica Party Mountain Top F Bb 2
18. Lost in the Shuffle Mark Hummel F 1994 Feel Like Rockin’ Flying Fish E A 2
19. Third Time Out Mark Hummel 1994 Feel Like Rockin’ Flying Fish C Bb 3
20. Horn of Plenty Mitch Kashmar & William Clarke L F William Clarke, the Early Years, Vol. 2 Watchdog WD1009 E A 2
21. Jimmy Jones Paul deLay G 2001 Heavy Rotation Evidence F Bb 2
22. That’s That Rick Estrin Got Harp, If You Want It! Blue Rock’It E A 2
23. Bounce, The Rod Piazza F 1992 Alphabet Blues Black Top E A 2
24. Little Bitty Pretty One Rockin' Robin Rod Piazza L F G 1985 Harp Burn Black Top A D 2
25. Upsetter, The Rod Piazza L F G 1985 Harp Burn Black Top E A 2
26. Blue Mambo Steve Guyger Past Life Blues Severn G C 2
27. Snake Oil Steve Guyger Past Life Blues Severn E A 2
28. 101 Blues Wallace Coleman Wallace Coleman Fishhead E A 2
29. Put It Where You Want It Westside Andy F Live on the Westside C F 2
30. Blowin' the Family Jewels William Clarke L G 1994 Groove Time Alligator A G 3
31. Cash Money William Clarke L 1990 Blowin’ Like Hell Alligator D G 2
32. Chasin' the Gator William Clarke 1992 Serious Intensions Alligator F Bb
33. Hittin’ Heavy William Clarke L William Clarke, the Early Years, Vol. 1 Watchdog WD1008 F# B 2

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Tue, 11/06/2018 - 20:05
#2
marcgraci
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Joined: 07/15/2013
Thanks, Dave!! That's in your

Thanks, Dave!! That's in your Improvising Blues book? I'll have to look at it, again.

I have my work cut out for me, for the next decade or so. No Sugar Blue or Jason Ricci?

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Tue, 11/06/2018 - 20:30
#3
Stephen Starling
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Joined: 11/04/2018
Nice! I’m gonna make a

Nice! I’m gonna make a playlist from this. Thanks!

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Wed, 11/07/2018 - 08:44
#4
David Barrett
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Joined: 12/20/2009
Sure. It's not in my

Sure. It's not in my improvising book, it was research for it. No instrumentals from Sugar nor Jason (though this was before Jason really came to fame) jumped out in regards to what I was looking for in regards to the book. Yes, this will keep you busy!

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