Big Harp George - Wash My Horse In Champagne (2016)
Label: Blues Mountain Records | Tracks: 13 | Rls.date: 2016
This release is the latest from San Francisco's Big Harp George, the first recorded blues artist to make the chromatic harmonica a full time instrument. It follows his Blues Music Award and Blues Blast Magazine award nominated debut album "Chromaticism," of which critic Thomas Joseph Cullen III commented: "I haven't been this impressed by a harmonica player's national debut since William Clarke's 1990 tour de force 'Blowin' Like Hell.'" Wash My Horse in Champagne offers George's take on 21st century West Coast blues in thirteen stunning original songs. The lyrics derive from his own life and personal experiences, including those gained living and traveling abroad in Brazil, the Middle East, and elsewhere. Musically, George builds on the legacies of George Smith, William Clarke, Paul DeLay, and extends the West Coast tradition of incorporating influences from jazz. BHG says: "While I feature the “big harp:” the chromatic harmonica minimally exploited in blues, I am a musician first for whom the harp is a means to an end. To me the song is central, and I will do what is required, to my ear, to serve the song. I vary my chromatic attack by playing amplified and acoustically, and by employing first, second, and third “positions” (harp talk for different key relationships between harp and song). But I don’t hesitate to pick up the ten-hole diatonic - or put the harp down altogether - when the music calls for it." Big Harp George's newest release is yet another indication of a 21st century Bay Area blues renaissance, of which blues and jazz audiences would be wise to take note. ---------- The Iceman
Big Harp George - vocal,chromatic harmonica. Rust Zinn - guitar Little Charlie Baty - guitar Chris Burns - keyboards Michael Peloquin - sax Kid Anderson - bass Raja Kawar - drums Label: Mountain Records Blues Year of release: 2014 Copyright: 2014 Big Harp George
Last Edited by sydeman on Apr 19, 2016 8:20 PM
He has an 'all star' backing band there so he must have some history..but i have never heard of him being mentioned on any forum. Great voice and playing...is he someone we all know working under another name?
Iceman "(from my underground Russian music site)" mmmmm,,^?
Last Edited by indigo on Apr 20, 2016 12:07 AM
He's one of your local Bay Area guys - he has showed up at our jam a number of times. Nice guy, good harp player. ---------- *************************************************** /Greg