I really like Ray Wylie Hubbard's song writing, singing and playing, and the genre he performs. I like his song, "Snake Farm." A local station used to play his stuff a lot as well as Robert Earl Keen, Fred Eaglesmith, and Paul Thorn. I always enjoyed whatever you call that genre. Americana? Folk? Roots?
While RWH's harp playing is not something I would show to people as an example of good harp, he makes it work as an extension of his persona. It is effective in its nastiness.
I like the harp references to a busted reed and lips that bleed, and the way he worked in rhyming mescaline with gasoline. I would love to see him perform live. ----------
He has a tune that's a tribute to his friend Charlie Musselwhite. And in it he just massacres the harmonica solo. I'm sure he's a great guy and a great musician but every time I hear it just feels like a total lack of respect for the instrument. Playing in a rack is not an excuse to play like a rank amateur. Plenty of people play BEAUTIFULLY in a rack - starting with Jimmy Reed, but thinking more of today's players like Jimi Lee and TJ Klay. ---------- *************************************************** /Greg