atty1chgo
705 posts
Sep 19, 2013
7:51 AM
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harpdude61
1830 posts
Sep 19, 2013
8:21 AM
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Fun to see Muddy and Cotton embrace. Wonder if their relationship was always good.
I'm a fan of a lot of harp players but for some reason I don't feel it with Portnoy. I can't explain it.
Now Cotton on the other hand. Very close to being my all time favorite. Man, he grabs ya!!
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The Iceman
1170 posts
Sep 19, 2013
10:17 AM
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Portnoy's place in blues history is cemented by being the first white harmonica player (or player) in Muddy's band.
He sticks to the basics and does all the right stuff for blues from this era.
It's simple and to the point, with big tone, respect and support playing very important.
Sure he's no trail blazer, but is worth a listen for how to do it simply and right for this type of playing.
He was also one of the first to really offer insightful teaching methods in his Blues Harmonica Masterclass CD set.
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The Iceman
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barbequebob
2337 posts
Sep 19, 2013
10:20 AM
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Actually, Jerry was NOT the first white harp player in Muddy's band, and that honor of being the first white harp player as well as the first white musician Muddy ever hired belongs to Paul Oscher. For some, he may be too traditional, but he sure did learn from the feet of a few masters including BW.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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The Iceman
1171 posts
Sep 19, 2013
10:34 AM
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Did not know that about Paul.
Saw him in 2002....guitar, duct tape harmonica neck holder rig, amplified.
He played guitar like Muddy, sang great and his harmonica playing was deep and dirty. Great show.
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The Iceman
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barbequebob
2338 posts
Sep 19, 2013
10:45 AM
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Paul was part of his band from 1967-1972. On many of the cuts on Live At Mr. Kelly's, that's him on harp. I've known him since the mid 70's. Most anybody that really knows about Muddy would definitely know about Paul.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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barbequebob
2339 posts
Sep 19, 2013
10:48 AM
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Here's Paul with Muddy in Copenhagen in 1968.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Kingley
3148 posts
Sep 19, 2013
10:51 AM
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I was going to mention Paul Oscher but Bob beat me to it. Paul lived in Muddy's basement for a while as well I believe. Paul is a superb player on harp, guitar and piano. He has some great stories to tell from those days.
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blingty
6 posts
Sep 20, 2013
7:01 AM
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Iceman,
I realise you're not criticising Jerry's playing here, but I think it's a good deal better than you've suggested.
His groove and timing on this concert is great, he plays great call and response phrases, leaves space and rocks out when it's needed.
I wouldn't say that what he does is all that basic either in terms of technique, although it uses techniques that have become common to a lot of 2nd position blues harp. In fact I'd put it up there with any blues harmonica that I've heard in terms of groove, technique and emotional impact.
Agreed that it is to the point and is respectful and supportive and I know you weren't knocking the playing at all.
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The Iceman
1175 posts
Sep 20, 2013
8:49 AM
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I've known Jerry personally for almost 20 years, booked gig for him, spoken with him about teaching methods and am a small part of his Sonic Junction team, so I have nothing but respect and liking for his playing and teaching method.
My point was that he is a firm traditionalist who knows how to do all the right stuff rather than someone blazing a new harmonica trail.
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The Iceman
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blingty
7 posts
Sep 20, 2013
9:08 AM
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Thanks, Iceman, that's good to know. Yep, I guess he is more of a traditionalist alright. I knew you weren't bashing him in any way; I felt like pointing out how good I thought his performance was on that concert in particular.
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Frank
2769 posts
Sep 20, 2013
4:10 PM
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Mr. Portnoy seems to be an extremely blessed bluesman - wonder if he sold his soul? His career will go down in history as one of a kind :)
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sami
14 posts
Sep 21, 2013
2:22 AM
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I think that Jerry Portnoy is one of the greatests players of all time. It's not easy to play just what you have to play. I see Portnoy like an evolution of Litle Walter, he plays his stuff but also some modern techniques.
Check this tune, in min 2.02, i love that articulations... I heard few people making this technique properly.
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toddg
115 posts
Sep 21, 2013
3:02 AM
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Hi harpdude61 ,
I totally disagree with you !! Jerry's Playing was right on the mark on that song !!! If anyone on this group disagrees I would love to hear from you !! PS also please show us on your video how you would play that song with Muddy and make it better then what Jerry did !!!
Last Edited by toddg on Sep 21, 2013 3:07 AM
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The Iceman
1179 posts
Sep 21, 2013
3:35 AM
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oops...gotta rethink my comment.
Jerry made a CD called "Down in the Mood Room" that has some very "forward thinking" concepts...especially his version of "Misty".
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The Iceman
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Frank
2776 posts
Sep 21, 2013
7:16 AM
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Jerry must be a seriuosly BAD Mutha F&$^%# to hold the chairs he has in bands throughout his life.
Too deal with the competition/peers would of been rather intimidating I suspect and seems would take the heart of a warrior to end up holding onto the gigs he has.
Wonder if he had to audition for Erics gig - or instantly hired because of his masterful expertise, execution and interpretation of solid blues harmonica playing..
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 21, 2013 7:17 AM
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tmf714
2042 posts
Sep 21, 2013
7:38 AM
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From Wiki-That same year Eric Clapton invited Portnoy to join an all-star blues band for the six blues shows at London's Royal Albert Hall as part of Clapton's 24-night stand. In 1993, he joined Clapton's band and remained with it through 1996. During this time, the band recorded Clapton's long anticipated blues album From the Cradle—the best-selling blues album of all time.
Portnoy has performed in twenty-eight foreign countries on six continents, including performances at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Smithsonian, the Newport Jazz Festival and other major jazz and blues festivals worldwide. He was a Grammy nominee in 1996 for his work with the Muddy Waters Tribute Band on their recording You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Dead and Gone, and released an instructional package, Jerry Portnoy's Blues Harmonica Masterclass, in 1997. In 2001, he released his second solo album, Down in the Mood Room.
Last Edited by tmf714 on Sep 21, 2013 7:38 AM
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Frank
2778 posts
Sep 21, 2013
7:58 AM
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WOW - All that with a ten hole harp in is pocket - Jerry has SKILLs to die for :)
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tmf714
2043 posts
Sep 21, 2013
8:03 AM
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Jerry Portnoy-You Rascal You -
Last Edited by tmf714 on Sep 21, 2013 8:04 AM
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atty1chgo
707 posts
Sep 21, 2013
9:24 AM
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@ Frank - I suspect that Jerry Portnoy was hired for a few reasons, not in any order -
1. Experience and lineage - he played with Muddy Waters, et.al. and draws from the Chicago style;
2. Availability - that is always important;
3. Sparseness of notes/blending into the background - Eric is the star, and Jerry does not play a spectacular or flamboyant brand of harp, notwithstanding his achievements. He gave Eric what he needed, a bit of harp to make the sound authentic. As Iceman stated, he is a traditionalist. Some persons may say he sounds boring, in a way. But that is what both Muddy and Eric wanted, for the harp to be accompanying the guitar, nothing more.
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Sep 21, 2013 9:24 AM
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Frank
2781 posts
Sep 21, 2013
9:40 AM
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Thanks atty1, So it was his masterful expertise, execution and interpretation of solid blues harmonica playing did the trick :)
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 21, 2013 9:40 AM
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tmf714
2044 posts
Sep 21, 2013
9:50 AM
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Portnoy held that seat in Muddys band for the same amount of time as Cotton-
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Kingley
3153 posts
Sep 21, 2013
10:04 AM
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Jerry Portnoy is a stellar harmonica player. Many people look for pyrotechnics all the time and think if a player doesn't do that then they ain't worth listening too. That is such a misguided vision and leaves huge holes in a players learning. It's far, far harder to play how Jerry Portnoy did behind Muddy and Clapton, than it is to play as a soloist all night. Playing support harmonica is a real skill and you need to have very serious chops to be able to do it properly. It's just like playing rhythm guitar correctly. You have to be able to support the vocalist or lead player without stepping on toes and all the while maintaining the groove so the singer or soloist has a home base to go back too. A lot of players play way too much when playing support. Listen to Jerry properly and you'll hear the genius that's hidden in there.
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Frank
2783 posts
Sep 21, 2013
10:22 AM
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I remember hearing a story, and I'm paraphrasing here...were Jerry first hears about Kim Wilson on the scene and wonders if he is just another jack-off harp player --- so he asks Kim to play something acoustic for him and Jerry sez something like OH SHIT that's the real deal :)
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 21, 2013 10:23 AM
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Rgsccr
201 posts
Sep 21, 2013
10:37 AM
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Kingley is absolutely right on. Jerry is a master of supporting the song and the artist. Too many skilled musicians don't seem to understand that it's about the music, the song, not about them. It's how all the parts go together to produce the song. That lack of understanding is probably why too many guys play too loud. However, Jerry can do some pretty amazing solos as well. Listen to "Shakin' the Shack" or "Blues In A Dream", or, as Iceman says, songs on "Down in the Mood Room".
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Frank
2784 posts
Sep 21, 2013
10:41 AM
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Kingley deserves the Pulitzer Prize for that fine thoughtful and insightful piece of writing :)
Artist Title Label Cat. #
Jerry Portnoy
Down in the Mood Room
Tiny Town
TTCD2011
Jerry Portnoy
Home Run Hitter
Indigo
I60CD2026
Jerry Portnoy
Poison Kisses
Modern Blues
1202
Joe Beard
For Real
AudioQuest
AQ-CD1049
Joe Beard
Dealin'
AndioQuest
AQ-CD1055
John Brim
The Ice Cream Man
Tone-Cool
TC 1150
John Cambell
A Man and His Blues
Crosscut
CCR 1019
Eric Clapton
Twenty Four Nights
Reprise
9 26420-2
Eric Clapton
From the Cradle*
Reprise
9 45735-2
Eddy Clearwater
Cool Blues Walk
Bullseye
82896
Bo Diddley
A Man Amongst Men+
Code Blue
82896
Ronnie Earl
I Like It When It Rains
Antone’s
ANT002
Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters
Soul Searching
Black Top
BT 1042
Luther Johnson
Talkin' About Soul
Telarc
CD-83476
Legendary Blues Band
Life of Ease
Rounder
2029
Legendary Blues Band
Red Hot ‘N Blue
Rounder
2035
Pinetop Perkins
Born in the Delta
Telarc
CD 83418
Paul Rishell
Blues on a Holiday
Tone-Cool
TC 1144
Duke Robillard
Dangerous Place
Pointblank
42857
Duke Robillard
Explorer
Shanachie
9025
Les Sampou
Fall From Grace
Flying Fish
CD FF 657
Hubert Sumlin
Hubert Sumlin’s Blues Party
Black Top
BT 1036
Muddy Waters*
I’m Ready
CBS
CBS PZ 34928
Muddy Waters*
Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live
CBS
CBS PZ 35712
Muddy Waters
King Bee
CBS
CBS PZ 37064
Muddy Waters Tribute Band
I'm Gonna Miss You when You're Dead and Gone+
Telarc
83335
Bill Wyman & the Rhythm Kings
Anyway the Wind Blows
Velvel
63467-79768-2
Zora Young
Travelin' Light
Deluge
del d 3003
Johnny Young
Johnny Young Plays the Blues
Blues on Blues
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 21, 2013 10:52 AM
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