This is my version of the song "Cross Road Blues" recorded 1936 by the famous blues man Robert Johnson. The underlying 8 note riff in my version is an idea from Eric Clapton that he played on his guitar on the recording from 1968 called "Crossroads" with the group Cream. This Clapton riff was used by Adam Gussow on the harmonica on his recording of "Crossroads Blues" on his album "Kick and Stomp" from 2010. Gussow's harmonica version has been a source of inspiration for me, suddenly it became clear to me that this is a fucking great harmonica song! Although I have changed the groove and tempo significantly. Other inspirations have been Paul Butterfield, I try to use his way of playing vibrato on my Bb harp here and there, and I also try to sound like Johnny Mars when I play the fast runs on my Eb harp. I think this 8 note Clapton riff can be played well with both 2nd and 3rd pos harp. That is why I recorded both 2nd and 3rd pos harp side by side through (almost) the whole song.
0:02-4:53: Hohner Marine Band Classic in Low Eb (3rd pos). 0:36-4:53: Hohner Marine Band DeLuxe in Bb (2nd pos). 2:22-2:52: Hohner Marine Band DeLuxe in Low F (1st pos). 2:57-4:06: Hohner Marine Band DeLuxe in Eb (3rd pos).
Last Edited by on Apr 29, 2012 5:03 AM
Hot stuff. Crazy good harp. Nice original interpretation. Liked the singing, but thought it a little low in the mix. Edit: nah, voice is just right and sounds great ---------- Lucky Lester
Last Edited by on Apr 29, 2012 12:23 AM
You continue amaze me, Hakan. The Butterfield-like phrasing is among the best I've ever heard; it works beautifully in this unusual arrangement of this venerable song.
Love it. Again. Not a lot of new stuff I listen to more than a few times, but I keep coming back to this. I find the groove hypnotic, and the rest amazing. Inspired again! ---------- Lucky Lester
Every time I click on one of your videos I expect something awesome, but sometimes you go above and beyond awesome into whatever superlative category this is. This is what I want to sound like.
edit: Question 1, do you have this available as a download. Question 2, if you don't, do you mind if I use one of those programs to rip it out of your video?
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Last Edited by on Apr 30, 2012 5:41 PM
