I was perusing the internet yesterday after wondering if harmonica players ever joined Phish. I love Phish's style and general sound, mixed with each band member's musical expertise.
After a quick search, I found that Sugar Blue and John Popper both played a few sets (Popper's set sounded squeaky and all over the place). Here is a link to a Youtube of Sugar Blue on Hoochie Coochie Man... There are a few others from the same show that pop up in the tab as well.
I always like seeing how harp players work with bands in other disciplines. Just thought I would share.
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Last Edited by nacoran on Oct 05, 2017 12:04 PM
Thanks for this post, I will check out the link. I knew that john popper had joined them and checked phish.net and found a handful of shows he sat in. they shared the bill at some of the horde festival shows in 92 maybe some joining there. I remember hearing about a great blues harmonica player (Sugar Blue) joining them for Hoochie Cootchie Man (must have been 97)but it was before I was aware who sugar blue was. Ya, I've seen phish a lot but alas, never with a harmonica player! I've seen some other great players sit in with them like guitarist Scott Murawski (Max Creek) join for a few tunes and a version of Tuesday's Gone.
Copied below is what I found about Sugar Blue and phish on phish.net
John Popper isn’t the only noted harmonica player to guest with Phish. Sugar Blue is best known for the signature harmonica lick on the Rolling Stones’ “Miss You.” He has even recorded his own interpretation of the song on his album Blue Blazes. In addition to his own albums (including a famous take of Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Help Me”), Sugar Blue has recorded with Bob Dylan, Stan Getz and Willie Dixon and has toured with the Rolling Stones and Prince, among others. His Phish appearances have usually been memorable late-show and encore slots in the Midwest. The first, on 4/10/93, saw Blue punctuate standards “Funky Bitch” and “Cavern,” as well as “Hoochie Coochie Man” and the aforementioned “Help Me.” He ripped out “Hoochie Coochie Man” again on 8/8/97, along with “Messin’ With the Kid.” On 10/3/99, blues fans were treated to a dream lineup as both Sugar Blue and Son Seals jammed on “Messin’ With the Kid” and “Funky Bitch.” One of his guest appearances was included in Phish’s career highlights video shown at setbreak of the 20th anniversary show on 12/2/03.
I remember Trey Anastasio sitting in on a Blues Traveler concert in the early '90s. The two bands shared friendship and many bills, so it's not surprising to see some sitting in. =========== Winslow
