at the Apollo Theater on 2/24: the "Howlin' for Hubert" concert. The harp player is in the wrong key and not working well with him. (I think it's Cotton.)
Anyway, this is a weird clip. Lotsa other clips from the show:
alot of the REAL old blues was modal, one chord,change chord when they want to and other stuff.i love it all,much more than some body who plays 100 right notes but no blues in their soul...
I'm sure he sings great on the records. My comment was strictly directed at this performance at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater in honor of Hubert Sumlin. It seems to me that a peformer of Richards's caliber should know when he's not doing the stage and its storied history any credit. He should have played rhythm guitar and backed up another singer.
Sumlin himself was a fine guitar player but a terrible blues singer--as bad as Richards, frankly. Maybe that was the point! Paying homage to a fine musician who wasn't much of a singer.
For the record, Richards's autobiography was a fantastic read. One of the best musicians' autobiographies ever written, IMO. Funny, articulate, honest, thoughtful. I recommend it highly.
Last Edited by on Feb 28, 2012 5:54 AM
My main lesson that I took from this video is - if Cotton made such mistake and nothing happend on the stage then any can do and I don't afraid now. :) I think it's Cotton this is his style of playin'. ---------- http://www.youtube.com/user/wheelharp
Sounds like the song is in G but the harp is blowing in A. Personally, I think that Richards' vocal here is great- reminds me a bit of Mississippi Fred McDowell. I'd say he's making the most out of his limited vocal range, half spoken with a gritty bluesy edge- perfect for the song in my opinion. It would sound much better with the harp in the right key but, weirdly, not bad as it was!
Last Edited by on Feb 28, 2012 1:54 PM
with clapton playing key to the highway what key was he in ?I agree with richards on stage clapton should have been doing the vocals,richards is not a blues singer-wish cotton would have been playing the right key harp-something I always want to be sure of
Anyone know if Kim and Jimmie Vaughn shared any stage time at the Howlin' For Hubert show? It'd be nice to see a reunion of (half of) the original T'Birds.
