Essential Recordings: Harmonica Blues

Since I'm on a roll of promoting my recorded work!... the other two albums I produced were "We Are the Blues" and "History of the Blues Harmonica Concert," both available from cdbaby again.

We Are the Blues: School of the Blues All-Star Band Live in the Studio!
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sotbab

History of the Blues Harmonica Concert (w/Joe Filisko, Dennis Gruenling and Kinya Pollard)
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/filiskobarrettgruenling

My first CD release with John Garcia from 2003 titled "Serious Fun" is out of print, but is now available at cdbaby for MP3 download for only $6.95 http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dbjg. The example I used with Ryan in regards to breaks was the shuffle "Lick Train." My other original instrumentals featured on the CD are the title track "Serious Fun," the uptempo swing in 3rd Position "Don't Fight It," the solo piece "Quiet World" and guitar and harmonica slow blues "Feelin' Good."

This release has the killer recordings "Off The Wall," "Blues in My Sleep," "Soul Survivor" and "Creeper." Though not in print anymore, it's a must-have and used can be found for only $15.

James Cotton, Best of the Verve Years
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Verve-Years-James-Cotton/dp/B0000046YZ

Let's start with James' accompaniment work. The Blues Never Dies! is one of my favorite recordings to showcase how to approach accompaniment playing. This is a MUST HAVE recording in your collection as a studying harmonica player.

The Blues Never Dies! (Otis Spann)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/blues-never-die!-remastered/id210149676

Though not thought of as an "Essential" representation of his work, I love the spirit of this live recorded set... playing, stage banter, slightly out-of-tune guitar... the whole package! Close your eyes and you're transported to Theresa's in 1975.

Junior Wells, Live At Theresa's 1975
http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=12412

As musicians, we look forward to the day that the culmination of all of our studies and efforts on the bandstand lead to a signature sound... one that's recognizable within seconds of playing. The 1965 release of "Hoodoo Man Blues" represents this for Junior Wells.

Wikipedia: Hoodoo Man Blues
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoodoo_Man_Blues

Junior Wells, Chicago Blues Band "Hoodoo Man" EXPANDED EDITION
http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=18985

Hoodoo Man T-Shirt!
http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=17409

The next phase of Junior's recording career... before the 1965 Hoodoo Man Blues release. Check out "Cha Cha Cha In Blues," soooo cool.

Junior Wells, 1957-1963 Messin With the Kid
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/junior-wells-1957-1963/id208120220

"Blues Hit Big Town" represents Junior's earliest works... prior to his more funky-sounding blues material that he's so well known for in the 1960's. Here's what Cub Koda says about this album, "Blues Hit Big Town album by Junior Wells was released Jun 16, 1998 on the Delmark label. This 1998 CD reissue of Wells' debut recordings for the States label adds four previously unheard tracks along with the original 13-track vinyl lineup. continue reading...

The songs of the artists that we study tend to be from THEIR albums. In other words, albums that focus on their vocal tunes (where they play fills and solos) and instrumentals. This means that we're only studying how to solo and most players (I sure was this way) don't really know how to play accompaniment (playing at the same time, in a supportive roll, under the vocalist or soloist) due to the fact that they've never copied someone doing it. continue reading...

It's hard to say "essential" when it comes to Little Walter... all of his material is essential for the studying blues harmonica player. If you weren't lucky enough to pick up the box set when it released a number of years back, you're relegated to picking up collections where you'll have duplicates of tracks. If you're new to the harmonica, "Rock Bottom" is a great deal at $12 for the two-CD set

Little Walter - Rock Bottom
http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=19476

CD1
1. My Babe
2. Juke
3. Teenage Beat
4. You’re So Fine
5. Tell Me Mama
6. Too Late continue reading...