I was lookin' for this theme to show my friend some cool first position playin' (Charlie Musselwhite's solo) but I've found this video on youtube! Fun and interesting!
Al and Judy Smith are both SPAH regulars. They've been featured performers at SPAH many times, and each at different times has been the recipient of SPAH's highest honor, the Bernie Bray Harmonica Player of the Year Award. Pete Blasberg is also a frequent SPAH attendee and often participates in the jazz jam. He's also featured on the DVD 2009 West Coast Jazz Harmonica Summit. ---------- VOTE Winslow Yerxa for SPAH president, with L J Atkison for vice president Winslow for SPAH President (Facebook) Winslow4prez (Youtube) Chair, SPAH entertainment committee Chair, SPAH awards committee Member, SPAH convention planning committee Staff, SPAH Convention event operation
Last Edited by on Mar 06, 2012 1:20 PM
Thanks for posting. Very interesting. I like Gary's playing. Haven't heard very much though, and never seen him at this age. Are Al and Judy his parents?
Gary Smith is a fantastic harp player from the west coast - taught people like Mark Ford and David Barrett, among others. Super nice guy. He is not related to Al and Judy. I don't know when this was filmed, but it was NOT last year (the upload date) - I know Gary, Al and Judy and unfortunately they all have aged considerably. I'm guessing this video is at least 10 and maybe as much as 20 years old.
If you like big fat tone check out Gary's work. I know at least 2 of his albums are on CD - called Up The Line and Blues for Mr. B - but I'm sure there is more. ---------- /Greg
Cool video - and Musselwhite's solo on the original is unbelieveable. His 'Mountain Top West Coast Blues session' is also a great album - I think I got mine from Amazon. Got to be one of my favourite albums.
One of the greates blues albums I have is "Blue Bay: Anthology of San Francisco Bay Blues" http://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-bay-anthology-of-san-francisco-bay-blues-r178931 . It has Gary Smith (harmonica and drums(!!!!)), Charlie Musselwhite, young Andy Just and many many more. This album has that great 70s feeling! On David Barett's site was discussion of Gary Smith instrumentals(Way Back Home, So Disappointed & The Angels Listened In, Midnight at 7 Bamboo etc) a big part of them not released on CD's. Does someone have them on vynil - please share it with us or tell their names? ---------- http://www.youtube.com/user/wheelharp
Last Edited by on Mar 07, 2012 1:44 AM
Surprised the heck outta me when I saw Gary Smith in that video, I wonder how that came about him playing on that tune. I guess he wrote it for that ensemble?
