Here's a great video sent to me by a friend: Paul Butterfield and Rick Danko doing "Born in Chicago" in 1979. About halfway through Butterfield does a solo as the band brings it down. I remember being a teenager and thinking that this sort of thing was the be-all and end-all of harmonica playing. Jason, Kim, Dennis Gruenling, and Sugar Blue have raised the bar! But it's still terrific stuff. This particular approach has been very influential. It's NOT the Little Walter approach, but something quite different. More James Cotton, I'd say:
I've always been a big fan of Rick Danko. Although his vocals aren't for everyone I've always liked his stylings.
I found this video of him and Butterfield together. Butterfield has some pretty cool playing starting around 2:40 and then hits some pretty cool upper-register rifts around 3:20.
---------- "I say stay long enough to repay all who cause strife."-L. Staley
thanks for posting adam saw butterfield and danko on vanderbilt campus in about 79 at concert headed by muddy waters when muddy called out paul butterfield in the closing act paul was nowhere to be found
I love Butter - he was a HUGE influence on me - but - I really think his playing on this Born in Chicago is sub par. All that in/out chugging is amaturish to my ear. The recorded version on the Butterfield Blues Band first album is much more interesting. On Stage Frieght he's a better - but still not at his best. I do love Danko.
I was privledged to attend the Last Waltz concert at Winterland - and got to see them on stage together- and with Muddy too. ----------
i saw this lineup around 1979 at a university gym. the sound sucked, the band played way too loud, and they were all obviously trashed. it was pretty disappointing considering the live recordings i had heard before. too bad they were not playing like this.
the playing here is not extremely fancy, but what i like best about it is how he elevates the band, great players but butterfield seems to bring something special out in them, that is a skill some of the other current hot shot players are not as strong at
Honestly I don't think that is very good! Unfortunatly to me it seemed he peaked in the sixties. Everything I hear from him in the seventies seems to get increasingly disapointing! I had to find that out the hard way. I was a big fan and back in the 90's I bought every record he had. His first is great and everything after just gets worse and worse. I thought he was a good singer. That was terrible! That clip right there is a good example of what drug and alcahol abuse does to talented people! I agree with walter about PB had something special about him. I like the energy and attitude he played with. HE WAS NOT BORING!
his better days stuff is good for learning call and response playing that is absolutely essential to ones blues harp lick arsenal. like chro, i bought every single record he put out. some real dogs in there. like the willie mitchell stuff. of course it's not mitchells fault.
the best album ,overall, was that hyperactive first one, but i kind of like how wild he gets on the live 1970 filmore record. i'm fairly certain jason ricci made note of PBs intros and candenzas that wack your head and leave you for dead. ----------
MP doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
Yeah, he's just like any other genius musician, who wasted away with alcohol and drugs. But he left behind some amazing stuff, eh? this is my favorite...ahhh!
---------- Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
Yeah Mojo I really liked the version of "Walkin Blues" on one of the it all comes back albums. I didn't like the one on East West as much. How bout "How Many Drivers"? I love that song! Yeah MP how bout Footprints on the windshield upside down"! Now thats a good song! Living in Memphis is a good sond to. I like lisening to North South. His harp playing is lazy, but the songs are good for the most part and it was well produced. I always tell people that want to learn how to vibrato. Listen to Bread and butterfield! I don't give a shit what anyone says. That is vibrato!
yeah chro! there is some serious beauty in bread and butterfield. i don't think most folks would get it at all..it being a slow tempo tune -n- all. ----------
MP doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
Pretty cool - favorite Butter is on Muddy's Fathers & Sons & also Lost Elektra Tapes - but this really is a different Butter sound with all the chugs (agreed they are not the greatest chugs but they do set a mood). ---------- ~Banned in Boston!
I think his best playing was on "Levon Helm and the RCO Allstars live at the Palladium". Some very fluid and soulful playing. His solo at the end of "Rain Down Tears" is one of my favorites of all time.
Last Edited by on Mar 15, 2011 12:37 PM
I saw Butterfield play four or five times during his "Better Days" days and I remember being completely in awe. His harp playing was the most powerful thing I'd ever heard.
But that was the first time I'd ever heard live amplified harp.
I wonder what it would sound like to these jaded ears lo these many years later.
I'm curious what he was playing through. I remember always seeing a big what looked like a Fender Showman cab on stage and it looked like he was using some kind of Shure mic.
@ scojo: I can't see the OP right now (work blocks YouTube) but if it's an African-American dude it is Blondie Chaplin. I know he is on guitar in the video I posted. He played on Danko's first solo album.
Blondie is probably best known for having fronted The Beach Boys for a couple years in the early 70's and I think he did some session work for the Stones back then as well. ---------- "I say stay long enough to repay all who cause strife."-L. Staley
..brings a tear to ma eyes to listen to Paul Butterfield do this song (Walkin Blues). Sooooooo tight and chock full of angst. I'm only now discovering these cats 20 or even 30 years later...even 40!! geeeeeezuz! I'm a big fan of Rod Piazza, Charlie M., and most of these cats, who were of the same era. The posting of Born In Chicago is one I have never seen, and thanks very much for that. It is so inspirational, I well up over how much I resonate with his style. It's a good thang. Life is grand!
---------- Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
Last Edited by on Mar 18, 2011 8:09 PM
I'm a big fan of PB on Muddy's, 'Fathers and Sons - Blow Wind Blow, too. WOW! ..you can tell, Muddy was like...hey! have another one! He was so good, nobody wanted him to stop. RIP, dear PB. You left a legacy...
---------- Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
