Can anyone tell me who plays the harmonica solo on this song? I couldn't find the credits online. Sounds like a Db harp in 2nd position with a valve on the 5 blow note, but then it sounds like a 5 overblow is being used for the major 7th note, which would be impossible on a valved harp.
Is it PT Gazell??? Jim Hoke? Pat Bergeson? Jelly Roll? Howard???
Listening again, the major 7th note could be a bend on a valved 6 blow, as I also hear some expression on the 6 blow note around the 2:16-17 mark. Is this PT???
that sounds to me like howard levy using his bend unbend vibrato technique to actually bend that note down. I don't think he would be using valves. It seems every time i hear something new from him he's added another layer of awesomeness and impossibility to his playing. he's on a whole different level.
There also notes that sound like he's bending Blow 5, assuming second position.
Howard claims never to use valves or altered tunings. But I have a hunch - and maybe close listening would bear this out - that he's alternating, lick by lick, or phrase by phrase, between first and second position on two different harps.
Last Edited by on Oct 04, 2011 2:01 PM
At 2:31 it's just the 5 blow with an ever so slight bend on it, which is not impossible to do, especially on a well-customized harp. It just requires some finesse.
I would still be curious to hear from Howard exactly what he did. Bottom line is that it sounds great.
Todd thanks for sharing the link. I love country music. My favourite is Mickey Raphael & his solo on the Willie Nelson (2nd take) version of 'Half a Man' from the Pancho & Lefty album. But this comes close umm maybe technically better but Mickey still steals it for me. Will have to give it a lot more more listens. ---------- HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
What a lovely piece of music. Thanks for posting Todd. It does have a kind of valved sound feel to it in places (a bit like Alex Paclin playing a half valve - same rich slow vibrato too)
Anyway FWIW, this is what I'm hearing on a non-valved Db diatonic.
(-4*/-4) = released draw bend (-2gliss-3**/-3) = a quick slide from 2 draw to double draw bend on 3 released. (+9*/+9) blow bend on 9 released (+5/+5*/+5) blow on 5 to small blow bend, released to 5 blow +5ob= overblow on 5
I will ask Howard when I see him October 18-I can tell you this for sure-he would NEVER used a valved or half-valved harp.
Last Edited by on Oct 05, 2011 6:12 AM
Cheers Iceman! These are the hallmarks of a mis-spent retirement (or so my wife says, as she'd rather I'd paint the kitchen yet again - but hey, where's the fun in that?:) I've yet to come across a decorating Forum, mind you I haven't looked that hard.
@tmf714 - I think we're all pretty much in agreement that he isn't using valves, as this would make overblowing impossible. Valves were just my initial thought due to the bend and expression on the F note. I also sent him a message via FB, so it'll be interesting to see if he's blow bending the 5 blow or using the 4 overbend to get that sound. If he responds I'll post the answer here. It is also very possible that he could be bending the 5 blow, though this is a tough one to do. I posted the follwing thread about this technique a while back:
I find this much easier to do on a harp that's been set up well. The only thing is you have to play these note a little softer and with finesse, but Howard is getting a powerful sound on this note, whetther it be a 4 overbend or a 5 blow bend. Of course, he's Howard Levy, so what should I expect, right? :)
My gut feeling is it's a 5 blow bend as the notes seem to slide +5+5BB+5 on the transition. I can get quite a strong blow bend on 5 on a couple of my harps that are set up well. It will be interesting to hear his reply but whatever it is, it sure sounds nice!
When I first heard about overblowing in the mid-'90s, it was something that I just HAD to learn how to do. So, for several weeks I tried, blowing so hard my eyes were about to pop out; all I was able to accomplish was to bend down slightly notes that aren't usually bendable (such as the 6 blow hole). After a while, I gave up; but I thought to myself "bending the 6 blow note could be useful, I should work on that". Of course, when I tried to do that, the 6 hole overblow popped right out! The point I'm trying to make is that it is quite possible to bend those 4,5,and 6 holes down. There's a tune on one of Bela Fleck's early albums (don't ask me which one, I have it on casette tape and my tape deck died along time ago) where I'm sure that the lowest note that Howard Levy is playing in the melody is the 1st hole bent down a half step. I've tried playing it in every possible position, and I'm sure that's the only way he could be doing it. I can bend the first hole on a C harp down a half step, but I can't sustain it or control it the way he can.
