We all know that Harmonica is heavily featured in Movies. I was wondering what "Good" harmonica playing is being used. (Good= well known).
- Sonny Terry gets a heavy use in "Gangs of New York". At the end of the first scene that Cameron Diaz is introduced. Then Many minutes in the following scenes.
- Of course the Howlin' Wolf Viagra commercial. -------------------------- Any More?
Big Walter backing John Lee Hooker in the 'Blues Brothers'. Whammer Jammer on the 'Hancock' Soundtrack (opening titles)
Last Edited by on Aug 24, 2011 1:46 AM
You know, there was a very memorable little harmonica lick used repeatedly in "The Untouchables", but I have no idea who it was that did it. ---------- Hawkeye Kane
Paul Butterfield in Junkyard Blues. I caught this movie on TV and when I heard the harp on the soundtrack wanted to sell my harps and cut my wrists. Then I read Butterfield's name on the credits and went, "Whew, that's alright then." ---------- LSC
John Popper is all over Blues Brothers 2000 and he was in Roseanne. I am missing a big name in something recent...it is going to drive me nuts until I figure it out! ---------- Mike Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Toots Thielemans can be heard in a lot of films including "Midnight Cowboy", "Sugarland Express", "French Kiss", and he can even be heard on Sesame Street occasionally. ---------- Hawkeye Kane
Hmmm... I'm far from an expert on these things so I'll defer to the those who are. I know Horton is only given an acting credit in the movie (as "Tampa Pete") and only Hooker gets a credit for the music. Maybe there were some contractual reasons?
I went to YouTube and typed in 'harmonica scene'. Not all good harmonica, but some good scenes, and some silly ones. I'd also mention the anime series Cowboy Bebop is noted for it's harmonica.
The late Little Joe Berson was the harp player who was overdubbed on the Blues Brothers. He was bad ass. He played quite a bit in the style of Big Walter Horton, but could play pretty much anything. He did a number of gigs with the Legendary Blues Band after Jerry Portnoy left the group. He died way too young.
Checker758 is Scott Dirks. Rshurman is Dick Shurman. If you own blues recordings, you've probably seen their names. If you don't know of them, you probably ought to dig deeper into blues.
Dick is responsible for producing some of the best blues albums of the past 30 years by guys like Albert Collins, Otis Rush and a multitude of others. He is a waliking blues historian who should probably write a book.
Scott Dirks did write a book. The Little Walter biography. He also has produced several recordings by guys like Jimmy Lee Robinson and others. He is also a fine harp player and singer.
