On the theme of Gary Primich CD´s I´ll just tell you this.(I may have said it here before, but never mind that. Whereof the heart is full etc.) Around ´97 a live recording was released, called "Gary, Indiana". Some of the takes there were recorded on a Europan tour, with pick-up bands, as I understand it. But that´s not important. What´s important is that the disc contains a number called "The girl that radiates that charm". And no, you can not find it on Youtube (but it´s on Spotify); you can find another version he did, really pale in comparison -- but the thing is that *everything* pales in comparison whith this particular take. He plays five choruses in a row, harmonica in 3D postition, and he does it with such ferocious intensity that your hair stands straight up. When you think he´s going to call it a day he goes on, and then on, and then on -- he´s on an absolute roll. It´s a fantastically interesting solo to study, where he completely takes over the tune, almost delibarately introducing "mistakes", some really raw stuff. From 1:15 on that track to 3:59 it´s like he was possessed. You´ll have to look very hard to find anything that holds up to that cut -- from any player, any time. That´s his legacy.
Only one I own is Just a Little Bit More ... with Omar Dykes . Don't know about best but as a 2 disc set comes in at 23 songs some of which I believe are previously released material from other albums.
Probably depends what you like. I've only a couple, neither of which are often mentioned, and of the two I think I'd prefer Travelin' Mood over Botheration. Not that there's anything wrong with Botheration, just the older album is a bit more my flavour.
Is "All of Them are Important" available on vinyl? Just kidding. Guess I'll start with Company Man. Was Primich strictly a diatonic player? His voice is pretty impressive too.
Excellent topic! Gary is tied for my all-time favorite player, along with William Clarke and Big Walter.
That Gary, Indiana album is available on Spotify and gives some good examples of his live sound, which I always preferred to the studio cuts.
Re: Gary getting on a roll like he does in that "Girl that radiates that charm" cut, I saw him perform live in the neighborhood of 10 times or so, and Gary would get on a roll like that at least once or twice per gig with different songs at random times, and that was spectacular to witness.
Among his studio albums, my favorites are:
1. Company man 2. Mr. Freeze 3. Travelin' Mood (really I had a hard time choosing between them)
Never saw him live, harpoon man, and that´s something I intensly regret in view of what you´re saying. I own his studio albums but they are nowhere close to that intensity. They are not bad, mind you, but "The girl that radiates that charm" is spectacular.
I have one of his recordings that i do not care for. i think it is called my pleasure. what i do not care for is the songwriting, just nothing there. also the vocals seem weak. not bad, just not great
first and foremost it is about the song, a great solo needs something to hang its hat on. yes i agree he is one of the finest harmonica players ever.
i did get to see him live and meet him cool guy. he had a 410 hoffman amp and a ceramic jt 30
It turns out I lived 1.5 miles from his father. They had a sign that said "Primich", and I always wondered if they were related. I found out they were when his dad passed away.
Re: the My Pleasure album, that recording sounds somewhat muffled and flat (not pitch-wise, just sound quality) to my ears. I wonder if it would benefit from a re-mastering.
To me, the instrumental "Walkin' the Poodle" is worth the price of the My Pleasure album, and that version of "Give a Little More" is the one I like better than the one that showed up on a later album.
The trifecta of Company Man, Botheration, and Dog House Music—three of his last— are what makes Primich one of the greats for me. He always had amazing chops but really stepped it up in the songwriting department later on. Dog House Music is my particular fave because its not just a "blues harper' album but has a sort of Roadhouse/Americana/roots music feel and his singing is great. Just a great record, not just a great harmonica record. The last one, "Riding the Dark Horse" is good too but feels a bit more of a looser, rushed session. IMHO
