Header Graphic
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Howlin Wolf - Cause of It All
Howlin Wolf - Cause of It All
Login  |  Register
Page: 1

Lee
1 post
Nov 09, 2012
4:29 AM
Hello,

I'm new to the forum. I wanted to ask if anyone knows the correct way to play "cause of it all" by Howlin Wolf. The key is Am and I think a D harp was used, however, I wanted to be sure. It's an old recording so I'm pretty sure he didn't use a minor harp.

Thanks!
Lee
Baker
248 posts
Nov 09, 2012
4:39 AM
Hey Lee. I'm at work so can't tell what key it's in, but it sounds to me like it's played in 2nd position. So yes, if it is in A you need a D harmonica.

Last Edited by on Nov 09, 2012 4:39 AM
tmf714
1338 posts
Nov 09, 2012
5:42 AM
Its an A harp in first position-

tmf714
1339 posts
Nov 09, 2012
5:44 AM
Wolf also recorded it as "Who's Been Talkin"-

jaymcc28
371 posts
Nov 09, 2012
7:40 AM
@JD...I thought that quote was from Sonny Boy after going over to play with The Yardbirds.
----------

"Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo"-F. Sinatra
HarpNinja
2881 posts
Nov 09, 2012
8:52 AM
This isn't the show I was at, but I have a recording of an ABB show I was at where they played this tune.



It was beyond epic. It was 10x better than this YT, at least. The second vid Tom embedded was an interesting lesson. Thanks for posting it.

If I were going to jam on this tune, which I have live, I'd play it in third. If I were to join a blues band, this would be a song I would really push to do. The groove is just killer. Two great tunes shared on this forum with this and Taj Mahal doing his version of Leaving Trunk.
----------
Mike
OOTB Harmonica Price List
VHT Special 6 Mods
Note Layout Comparisons
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas (Updated 10/25/12)
HarpNinja
2882 posts
Nov 09, 2012
9:54 AM
Bernie Williams. That was from the Beacon, in NY, and Bernie has been an active jazz guitarist since before his Yankee days.
----------
Mike
OOTB Harmonica Price List
VHT Special 6 Mods
Note Layout Comparisons
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas (Updated 10/25/12)
tmf714
1341 posts
Nov 09, 2012
10:06 AM
Sugar Blues does it to it Booby!!



tmf714
1342 posts
Nov 09, 2012
10:11 AM
Here is a show I attended featuring NYC staple JR Mack on guitar and vocals,and Bruce Katz on keys.

Rgsccr
118 posts
Nov 09, 2012
10:22 AM
Hi,
According to the artist listing on Dave Barrett's Hamonicamasterclass.com, the song is in E and played in second position on an A harp. By the way, that listing of albums and songs by many of the greats and contemporary harp players is a wonderful resource.

Last Edited by on Nov 09, 2012 10:23 AM
tmf714
1343 posts
Nov 09, 2012
10:58 AM
"Hi,
According to the artist listing on Dave Barrett's Hamonicamasterclass.com, the song is in E and played in second position on an A harp."

Not for that particular version in the above post-here is the version that requires an E harp-

Last Edited by on Nov 09, 2012 11:12 AM
Rgsccr
119 posts
Nov 09, 2012
12:37 PM
I stand corrected, sorry. I listened to the second video.
Lee
2 posts
Nov 12, 2012
10:00 AM
Hey everyone, thanks a lot!
groyster1
2075 posts
Nov 12, 2012
3:21 PM
from what I have learned,sonny boy enjoyed jamming with the band more than any other of the british bands....maybe he felt more in touch with levon,who was from arkansas,and the rest of the canucks,who are always pretty cool as observed from my 2 trips to canada
Leatherlips
158 posts
Nov 12, 2012
9:14 PM
I think Robert Cray's version is probably the sweetest. Played in 3rd.
bigd
392 posts
Nov 12, 2012
9:37 PM
Here's 2 versions with bands I developed. The usual caveats: quality and volume (I'm kind of "in your face" on the quicker version, etc). But man I love minors with a rhumba beat:
----------
Facebook
Harp2swing
68 posts
Nov 13, 2012
2:25 PM
OK I'm throwing my '97 recorded version of this song into the mix,
with then local girl Morna on vocals and mate Ian on very tasteful guitar. The parts were recorded separately and I remember turning up at the little home studio around 10am in the morning still half asleep and wondering what I was going to play.I had about ten songs to put down, thankfully most were done with one take. (Caveat the rhythm section was provided by backing tracks) It was a fun project with 100 pressings for family and friends. p.s harp solo around 3:28
http://soundcloud.com/harp2swing/whose-been-talkin/s-w6kNZ

----------

Photobucket

Last Edited by on Nov 13, 2012 2:30 PM
bigd
393 posts
Nov 14, 2012
8:10 AM
Your rendition is quite smooth and ear friendly Harp2swing! d
----------
Facebook


Post a Message



(8192 Characters Left)


Modern Blues Harmonica supports

§The Jazz Foundation of America

and

§The Innocence Project

 

 

 

ADAM GUSSOW is an official endorser for HOHNER HARMONICAS