Killa_Hertz
1027 posts
Apr 12, 2016
4:48 AM
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I started this thread on the main forum, mainly to help myself. I wanted to find some new artists to listen to because I believe if you listen to great music, its easier to play great music.
However this thread will be more to help beginners. ( and everybody else too.)
I want this to be a list of artists and specific Albums from those Artist that are great material to listen to for study. Mostly, Albums that are great start to finish. There are some that are almost "Required Listening" for Blues Harp players. Then others that boil down to taste, but either way it will help weed through the MASSIVE amounts of music out there.
If yall think its a good idea lets keep it going.
I don't have time right now to do an extensive list, but heres a quick start.
By the way. I would like to draw some attention to Amazon.com AutoRip.
If you buy an Album from Amazon.com that has AutoRip (You ll See The AutoRip Logo if it Applies.) You get the CD shipped to you ofcourse, but you also immediately get the MP3 download at no extra cost. It will be available for download straight to the Amazon App as soon as your purchase is complete.
I LOVE this. Often you can get the CD and MP3 for LESS than the MP3 alone. So take advantage of this. Its great.
No matter how you purchase Albums, find a way to sample them first. Dont take anyones word for it. I just wanted to make this a guide to new music as a way to weed out the GREAT stuff from the rest.
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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Apr 12, 2016 6:09 AM
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Killa_Hertz
1028 posts
Apr 12, 2016
4:50 AM
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Quick list of "Required Listening" (Just for Starters)
Sonny Boy Williamson 2 (Rice Miller) His Best
Little Walter His Best
Howlin Wolf Definitive Collection
Junior Wells - Hoodoo Man Blues
Some of My Favorites
Ronnie Shellist - Til Then This is one of my All Time Favorite Albums. Its Fantastic.
Satan and Adam - Mother Mojo My Favorite of Adams.
Muddy Waters - King Bee, Hard Again, and Im Ready 3 Great Albums in a Package Deal. Cant Go Wrong With Muddy.
James Cotton - 100% Cotton My Favorite of Cottons. Cant Go Wrong With Cotton Either.
Heres two more that are pretty great and new to me.
John Nemeth - Memphis Grease
This one is mostly instrumental:
It Takes Three - David Barrett, Aki Kumar, and Gary Smith Solid Start to Finish.
Bob Corritore - Taboo This one is Instrumental Too, But Tough To Beat. Must own.
Steve Guyger and Paul Oscher
Living Legends: Deep In The Blues
Blues For Big Walter. Great Album Tons of Big Name Blues Musicians.
Blues For Big Walter
The Red Devils
King King
The 44s-Boogie Disease. The 44s are a cover band of Lester Bulter, The 13s, and Red Devils. All good stuff.
The 44s Boogie Disease
Love this Album So far. My first full album from RJ.
RJ Mischo - Everything I Need
Big Walter Horton
An offer you can't refuse (Paul Butterfield on B side)
Cant keep loving you
Horton and Carey Bell
Harmonica Giant Box Set
Jimmy Roger's
Ludella (Kim Wilson)
Chicago bound (horton, little walter, muddy.)
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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jun 07, 2017 5:18 AM
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SuperBee
3598 posts
Apr 12, 2016
6:50 AM
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If you can find it, the 3 disc set of
Chicago-the-blues-today!
is a fantastic set from the mid 60s.
Cheap way to get it is the 3 disc set but it's also available separately in vol 1, 2 and 3.
I'm super glad I got the 3 vol set as I listened to bands I otherwise probably wouldn't have, and they were all great..imho of course
Can't get my html to work right now and it's late so I'm to bed
Last Edited by SuperBee on Apr 12, 2016 6:57 AM
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Killa_Hertz
1032 posts
Apr 12, 2016
10:20 AM
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Chigago The Blues Today
There You Go BEE. It looks good. I put it on my LONG Wishlist.
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SuperBee
3601 posts
Apr 12, 2016
2:50 PM
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Cool. Just to let you know, my local record guy tried to order that album from his suppliers for a long time and eventually told me it was no longer in production.. I bought it online no problem but I notice that Amazon link says 3 left. It's possible Stefan is correct about production and it may be difficult to get (new) in not too distant future. Although it's classic and I'm sure will always be available in some form.
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Mirco
401 posts
Apr 12, 2016
9:49 PM
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The best Muddy Waters album is the Woodstock album, with Paul Butterfield on harp.
Any beginner should also get some Slim Harpo. He has some hits collection. That's as good as anything. Slim Harpo is the coolest.
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
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Killa_Hertz
1041 posts
Apr 13, 2016
5:29 AM
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The singer is one of the most important parts of music to me. If the singer doesn't do it for me I just can't listen to it. Slim Harpo is one of those. Im actually very picky about singing. So it's hard for me to listen to alot of things. That's why I listen to alot of instrumentals.
I really didn't want to turn this into a conversation thread. But more a straight list of great albums. But oh well. It will probably get lost eventually anyways.
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SuperBee
3605 posts
Apr 13, 2016
3:21 PM
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Chicago Bound
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Crawforde
92 posts
Apr 14, 2016
5:40 PM
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Bob Corritore - Taboo This one is Instrumental Too, But Tough To Beat. Must own.
This was a new one for me for some reason.
Awesome
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Killa_Hertz
1068 posts
Apr 15, 2016
5:30 AM
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Its a fantastic album isnt it?!?
Its one i discovered listening to pandora. I bought it immediately.
This is another GREAT Album I forget about alot. It's from a local band out of the midwest i think. Must Listen to this album. Another i discovered from Pandora
The 44s Boogie Disease
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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Apr 15, 2016 5:31 AM
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Killa_Hertz
1274 posts
May 04, 2016
9:00 AM
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I ve found tons of new albums to add to the list here. I will get them all together eventually.
But I wanted to add this one right now.
Ive only listened to the first Volume, but if its any indication im sure the second one will be awesome too.
Blues Harp Meltdown Volume 1&2
Various artist. Totally great jam album.
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Killa_Hertz
1434 posts
May 19, 2016
2:05 PM
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A new instant favorite of mine. Just found out about this Album Yesterday. If you like Walter Horton, this is a MUST HAVE. Butterfields tracks are OK. But this is some true Raw Horton. Give it A listen here on Amazon.
An Offer You Can't Refuse
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SuperBee
3735 posts
May 19, 2016
7:26 PM
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Junior Wells: Southside Blues Jam
Recorded December 30 1969 and January 8 1970.
Wells, Guy, Spann, Below, Louis Myers, Earnest Johnson
I just love it. This is what Jr Wells is all about for me, and I know not everyone digs Jr Wells take on it. But Jr Wells is right up there for me, the way he plays and sings.
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MindTheGap
1618 posts
May 19, 2016
10:48 PM
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Thanks for these suggestions, this is a very useful thread. I had a listen to some of 'An Offer You Can't Refuse' yesterday and that's very good indeed. Both as a listener and a learner.
I happen to be listening to a lot of Walter Horton at the minute, so this one hits the spot. There's a reason for that which I might write up in another thread. I like listening to Paul Butterfield too, but don't get as much out of it.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on May 19, 2016 11:15 PM
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SuperBee
3742 posts
May 20, 2016
12:13 AM
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I would buy that butterfield/Horton album...but can't download from Amazon in Australia...ill find it somewhere else...just listened to a sample and reminded of Horton's knack for indecipherable words. Get that liquor? Come on the road? (Come on over?) don't need nothing but (munnerin clo?) to have a good time...what the heck is munnerin clo?
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Killa_Hertz
1455 posts
May 20, 2016
5:49 AM
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Thats a real shame. Amazons Music App is Fantastic. They Also have this thing called "Auto Rip".
When your going to buy an Album, some of them have the little Auto Rip Icon next to the name. This means that if you buy the CD, they mail you the CD (of courses) But as soon as you pay for the order you get the Digital Copy Free in your Amazon App.
Very Often AutoRip CDs are cheaper than buying the MP3 version. So for instance the MP3 might be $13.00
However if I buy the CD for $8.99 I get the CD in the Mail in a few Days AND I instantly get the MP3 copy aswell. Its great.
And if you spend more than $35 you get free shipping. So you can really make out like a Banit with the right Albums. They also often have $5 Album Sales on Amazon.
Maybe Ill send you a copy as a Birthday Present Bee. Lol.
Im trying to find that Junior Wells Album On Spotify.
Later I'm goin to come in here and Consolidate All these Albums In the Top Post. That way when People Add Albums to this list I'll Add them up top. So then we can talk about them and this post isnt impossible to use.
I was trying to keep this thread simply an album list with no commentary. To make it simply a list people can check out. But thats no fun. So I think If I do it this way We get the best of both worlds.
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SuperBee
3809 posts
May 30, 2016
11:52 PM
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The harp work on The Henry Gray/Bob Corritore Sessions (volume 1: Blues won't let me take my rest) album is exemplary for backing that kind of older-style. There are a few styles on the record and a lot of great players but henry and bob on every track. I like bob as a player and shall seek out his other recent releases...I know there is one Taboo I think already mentioned on this thread. He also has a new one with Big Jon Atkinson (mbh member 'bigtone') which I'm sure will be excellent.
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SuperBee
3810 posts
May 31, 2016
1:45 AM
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Also have been enjoying "state of the blues harp' by mojo buford
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SuperBee
3811 posts
May 31, 2016
6:45 AM
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This one is also called Chicago bound and it's by Jimmy Rogers, but also features Big Moose Walker as leader on half the cuts. The rest of the band is fairly consistent on all tracks, just the feature artist changes. The harp player is Billy Branch and he is always great and educational to hear play. And the record is strong. I bought it kind of by mistake...it was ordered but supposed to be the Chess album of similar name. Anyway, I wasn't really disappointed because I've very much enjoyed it.
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SuperBee
3812 posts
May 31, 2016
6:49 AM
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That's very expensive from Amazon...I don't think I paid that much. Also, it says 1998, but that would be the reissue date. It's a much older recording session. Recorded 1989
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Killa_Hertz
1526 posts
May 31, 2016
1:52 PM
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Yes i mentioned Taboo. My favorite of his. Another i like is Knockin these blues around with John Primer.
I have the new one with big John on my wish list.
Been stuck on Chrom Tracks a lil lately.
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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on May 31, 2016 1:53 PM
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SuperBee
3819 posts
Jun 04, 2016
5:08 PM
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John Primer is the guitarist on the 'Chicago Bound' album with Billy Branch on harp...I mean the album which is shared between jimmy Rogers and big moose walker, not the chess album of the same name (which is a compilation of all their old jimmy rogers singles, with little Walter on most tracks)
Last Edited by SuperBee on Aug 17, 2016 5:16 AM
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Killa_Hertz
1585 posts
Jun 15, 2016
9:38 AM
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Living Legends: Deep In The Blues
I saw Steve Guyger last week and i been listening to him Alot Since then.
I bought this album after listening to it on Spotify. Its Steve Guyger and Paul Oscher. This Album is Awesome. It has everything from Diatonic to Chromatic to Bass Harp to Low Diatonics. It's a Fantastic Album. Highly recommend checking it out.
Blues For Big Walter
This Album Is A Mix of Various Artists. Steve Guyger is one of them. I bought it from him at his show. It's pretty awesome too. Lots of Good artist on it. From Mark Hummel to Kim Wilson , Sugar Ray Norcia, Jimmy Rogers, Big Jon Atkinson, Bob Corritore .... Its just an All Star Album.
Check these out for sure.
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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jun 15, 2016 9:40 AM
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Killa_Hertz
1692 posts
Aug 12, 2016
2:51 PM
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I have a new one that makes my list.
I bought this album she only a quick sample and hoped i would like it. And I Really Do. Ive not had time to let it simmer yet, ive only had it a week, but it's pretty darn good.
RJ Mischo - Everything I Need
Wide variety of playing on this album. I really dig it.
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harpsquealer
17 posts
Aug 16, 2016
9:45 AM
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Thanks Killa for getting the ball rolling on this thread. There's already a ton of great suggestions.
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SuperBee
4000 posts
Aug 17, 2016
5:14 AM
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This isn't a harp album, but it is a great blues record
J B Hutto and the Hawks, Hawk Squat
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Killa_Hertz
1702 posts
Aug 17, 2016
10:06 AM
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glad you like it Harp Squeel.
Everytime I add an Album I try to also add it to the Post at the Top. That way you dont have to sort through the whole thread to find an album. I'll try to add everyone elses up there aswell.
BEE
LMAO.... I just saw that Post about HORTON
WHAT THE HECK IS MUNNERIN CLO?!?!?!? LMAO Good Stuff
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SuperBee
4005 posts
Aug 17, 2016
1:54 PM
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It's not the 1st time I've asked that. No one has ever suggested an answer.
I interpreted the verse which lyric sites 'show as fish like Peter pray like Paul dumb as they come that's all that's all'
It's not 'dumb as they come'. It's not even 'Germans they come'. It is 'judgement day come'.
It may be 'fish like Peter' but it could also be 'preach like Peter'
The verse that says ('never have to worry cause) my hair just rolls' (no kidding that's what someone decided was worth sharing) is probably 'I have this rule' but you could argue for something else and be correct
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Killa_Hertz
1704 posts
Aug 18, 2016
10:53 AM
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I always though it was " Face like peter." But i guess " Fish" makes ALOT more sense. lol.
munnerin clo = Money and Clothes that one Im pretty sure of. Seems the whole song is about money and clothes if you think about it.
I thought the next part was " I have this Roll." ???
Like Roll = Roll of Bills $$$
But it could just as easily be ....
Spend this money, on my clothes, and I never have to worry Cuz I got this Robe. .. lol that was a joke.
I don t know man ... alot of his lyrics are hard to discern. But that makes it a little better kind of.
How long did it take before you figured out half of Curt Kobains lyrics???? I still sing some of them wrong im sure
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Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Aug 20, 2016 8:46 AM
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SuperBee
4008 posts
Aug 18, 2016
1:40 PM
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Could be 'roll', like bank roll. I defs heard 'pawn my clothes' before I realised 'pon my clothes made sense.
I've considered 'money and clothes' for munnerin clo, but always dismissed it as too dumb.now I think about it though, it would fit with the verse about spending money upon his clothes, especially if the reason he never had to worry was because he had this (bank)roll...although in itself makes no sense unless his bank roll was big enough you know...
I have just about made up enough words for the song that I can claim a bit of authorship when I perform it. Jk
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Killa_Hertz
1705 posts
Aug 18, 2016
7:09 PM
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I know. That's exactly the problem. If you find something that makes sense for one line .... it conflicts with the others and makes it even worse. Lol.
Wish he was still around to ask him.
It actually didn't really bug me that much until you brought it up. Lol. Thanks alot.
I looked it up today on Google. Just got a bunch of more nonsense versions.
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Killa_Hertz
1706 posts
Aug 18, 2016
7:26 PM
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Oh by the way. I have about a Dozen different versions of this song and they are all indecipherable.
He does start alot of em with what i think is .....
" Get Back Liquor. Come on Roll." Which to me means ... take a shot ... shoot the dice.
"Dont need Nothin but " ... i was also thinking ... what if munnerin clo was a type of alcohol.
I dont know. The whole song is crazy when you really try to listen to it 90% of the words are inaudible.
But it's still GREAT. Lol.
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SuperBee
4010 posts
Aug 19, 2016
4:25 AM
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I always heard that one as 'get that liquor, come on the road' but I like your image of the dice game. Those fellers apparently were big on the dice.
I'm doing it next Saturday night with the band, 3rd up in the set, as per the uptempo 'with Carey Bell' version. Kinda excited.
This is the best band I've worked with. At last I'm playing these songs with some guys who know how to do it. Hopefully there'll be some video.
We just got through practicing the set and settled the order:
Soz I know it's OT
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Killa_Hertz
1707 posts
Aug 20, 2016
9:16 AM
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Ahh who cares about OT.
Actually I typed out a big post, but realised your right. Ill post in "What are you working on?"
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Killa_Hertz
1842 posts
Oct 27, 2016
4:37 AM
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I've Recently Been expanding my Horton Collection. And I've found some great stuff by him.
If anyone is interested, Walter Hortons Entire Discography can be found here.
Thanks to Joe Filisko. (And thanks to BEE for sharing this with me.)
http://www.filisko.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Walter-Horton-Discography.pdf
I just cant get enough Horton. He's somethin else.
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Killa_Hertz
1843 posts
Oct 27, 2016
4:55 AM
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Also I've gotten quite a few albums by The Nighthawks. I actually had not really thought about them, until I happened upon one of there records in my local shop. Since then it seems like I find another one everywhere I look.
If you havent Checked out The Nighthawks. Give em a listen. Alot of there albums are fantastic, but two of my favorites right now is "Rock & Roll" and "Ten Years Live" Albums.
Another Great Album that I just happened upon is ...
Sam Meyers and Anson Funderburgh - My Love is here to stay.
Here it is at Discogs.
https://www.discogs.com/Sam-Myers-And-Anson-Funderburgh-My-Love-Is-Here-To-Stay/master/588027
This Album is one of my favorites of the accidental findings. Kim Wilson's playing is awesome. (Not to mention Bob Margolin's Gi-Tar playing.) I prefer Kim's accompaniment playing to his own albums. Like on Ludella. This album is really great I couldn't stop listening to it for the first few weeks after I got it.
Steady Rollin Bob Margolin - Chicago Blues
https://www.discogs.com/Steady-Rollin-Bob-Margolin-Chicago-Blues/release/3790514
This is ANOTHER great Album with Kim Wilson's Accompaniment.
Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters - Smokin'
https://www.discogs.com/Ronnie-Earl-The-Broadcasters-Smoking/master/667620
I stumble onto so many Great Albums by accident. I'm so glad Record stores are coming back around. Who says hipsters never contributed to anything worth while ... lol.
There's SO MANY more good ones I could post, but I would be here all day. So I'll post a few more later.
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SuperBee
4216 posts
Oct 27, 2016
5:54 AM
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There's some good stuff there. I'll have to check the nighthawks.
My offering is Eddie Taylor in session 1953-57 Diary of a Bluesman
The John Brim tracks are great, you get little Walter on ice cream man.
You also get jimmy reed, and a couple Snooky Pryor cuts and it has a lot of tracks.
Tough times is a great song.
The Snooky Pryor stuff shows what a great player he was. Jimmy reed is an interesting study. I never thought much of his playing but he understood a hook and how to make hit records. More hits than nearly anyone. I like 'dizzy'. There's potential there.
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Killa_Hertz
1844 posts
Oct 27, 2016
7:26 AM
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Nice. I ll check that out Bee.
I've come across so much good music lately I dont even have time to really let it sink in.
Used to be I would get a record and wear it out. Now I have so much new stuff it's hard to do that. It's not exactly a Bad problem to have ... lol ... but still.
I really want to keep this thread Alive. Makes it easy for everyone ( especially the newer players ) to find the great Harp music out there. Alot of the really DEEP Cuts are the ones that are Pure Gold. Aswell as the random collaboration albums that no one really seems to talk about. There's so much great stuff out there.
If anyone has some favorites or great new albums that they dont see here, PLEASE ADD THEM.
Ill try to keep updating the list at the top with links of all the records in the thread.
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SuperBee
4236 posts
Nov 04, 2016
1:14 PM
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Man I can hardly believe this isn't here already
Paul Butterfield Blues Band
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Killa_Hertz
2377 posts
Jun 07, 2017
5:18 AM
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Been slacking on this list.
Time to bring it back.
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ME.HarpDoc
251 posts
Jun 07, 2017
12:51 PM
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Here's two
hangover blues, vol 1. Ronnie Shellist on harp available at www.ronnieshellist.bandcamp.com
Classic Harmonica Blues from Smithsonian Folkways with cuts from Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, John Sebastian, Doctor Ross, and a few I don't recognize.
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SuperBee
4732 posts
Jun 07, 2017
8:20 PM
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I know the SBW2 "his best" is already on the list.
A good complement to that album is "Don't start me talking, I'll tell everything I know", which is a combination of the original album "down and out blues" with the checker singles.
There is some crossover with 'his best' but this pretty much fills the gaps.
I've been listening to a lot of SBW2 over the last month, and trying to play in his style. I must say I really regret that I didn't do it earlier.
He was the first real player I ever listened to, and for some reason I kind of skipped over when it came to serious efforts toward learning. But now, coming back to him I find that there are a lot of really solid useful concepts in his work, and possibly because I began listening to him in my teenage years, the way he plays seems natural to me.
If a person is trying to use those transcripts in McElvy's book, which has a lot of SBW2 stuff, I think this record is good as it includes some of the stuff in that book which is not on 'his best'
But please check first, don't take my word for it.
don't start me talkin', I'll tell everything I know
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SuperBee
4733 posts
Jun 07, 2017
8:54 PM
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Ah, so after a quick review of the facts, there are just 4 titles on the sbw2 album linked above that are in the McKelvy book and not on 'his best'. But also be aware mckelvy sometimes has transcribed less common versions so I can't swear they are the correct versions.
In other news, 12 of the tracks on this album are also on 'his best'. However, 14 are not on 'his best'.
There are 8 songs on 'his best' which are not on DSMTITEIK.
14 of the songs in McKelvy's book are on don't start me talkin.
10 of these are also on 'his best'
3 songs in the book are on 'his best' but not on 'don't start me talkin''
There are 4 songs in the book which aren't on either album. This includes 'checkin up on my baby', which is on his best but is not the same version as the book. There may be others like this but I'm not aware of sny specific instances.
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SuperBee
4737 posts
Jun 09, 2017
4:23 AM
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Now I've made a project for myself, trying to collect SBW2 without buying every compilation. I think there's a discography somewhere that lists every song. Then I just have to track down all the sets and list all the tracks, match the data...
Sounds too much like being at work.. which reminds me, I'm still to finish my spreadsheet of songs, albums, artists, keys and positions. That's got a few hours left in it but won't get any fewer if I leave it to do itself
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Killa_Hertz
2378 posts
Jun 12, 2017
5:16 AM
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I think another great SBW2 album is "the essentials" it's a 2 disc set with alot of great stuff on it. Again there is alot of songs on this set that are on "his best" but .... can't ever have too much sonny boy. Just for the hilarious intro of "little village" it's worth it.
Sonny boy was the first artist I studied when starting to play aswell. His stuff is so simple to copy note wise, but so humbling as far as tone. I think he is a GREAT first study.
Sbw2 collection
This is a hard one to tackle. There are literally hundreds of different Sbw2 records. I know a vast majority are likely re-released or compilations of some type, but still .....
I'm still working on my horton collection. It's going pretty good. I'm down to the rare stuff at this point. I'm trying to collect everything he's ever appeared on. There are SO MANY gold horton tracks out there that people have never heard. And that you just can't find in digital format. It's so cool to recieve a new horton album and hear it for the first time. Same goes for alot of artists I collect, but especially Horton.
I would like to put together a box set of all of his recordings.
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