My first pick would be Joe Bonamassa. One of these days I'm going to ambush him and insist he get add a harp player (by the way, Joe, I play harp, haha). Gary Clark, Jr. has such a great sound, I think a harp player would really enhance his sound. And, or course, I'd love to see a harp player with Ronnie Baker Brooks. He's so Chicago - where's the harmonica? He even has keyboard guy.
Related topic - what makes the perfect blues band? I like guitar, bass, drums, keys (electric piano and/or organ) and harp.
The Stones. They've actually got two with Mick and Ronnie, but they really need someone to cover the Sugar Blue stuff. Bobby Keys is covering things on this version, which is very cool, but it really needs harp.
Read a funny story when Blues Traveler was opening for the Stones. Through nice guy Ronnie Wood, John Popper asked if he could play harp on one song, said it was his "dream". Mick said, and this is a quote, "Tell him to fuck off."
Ronnie Baker Brooks doesn't have a harp player in his band, mostly because his music doesn't demand it on a regular basis, but also because there is only one player (with the exception of Magic Dick when with the original Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue) that plays in the style, and at the level of excellence that he would want. (see video below) Artis's Lounge is gone now, but the memories live on:
Derek Trucks needs Jason Ricci. At least for a few cuts on one CD.
Also, Johnny Winter's best stuff (IMO) has harp; namely the "White, Hot & Blue" album with Pat Ramsey on harp. Over the past decade or so, Johnny toured a bit with a harp player/singer. Usually James Montgomery, but Pat Ramsey on occasion. It's too bad that seems to be a thing of the past.
I understand James Harman did some work on ZZ Top's newest CD. It would be GREAT it they brought the Ice Pick out on tour with them.
Gary Clark Jr. actually can play the Jimmy Reed first position high notes on a rack. Before he got famous, he spent around 5 years as the whiz kid in Austin (around with around 4 other whiz kids, one being Mike Keller now of the Fab T-Birds). Gary used to sit in with my bands and we played blues jams together.
i went to a james harman gig and in walks billy gibbons i could not help myself i had to introduce myself i told him i loved his harp playing on his earlier recordings
he talked to me for about 15 minutes he told me a story about the mic he used he got it from big walter he said that walter got a job as a dispatcher for the day and at the end of the day he had a new mic to record with.
billy did not sit in i dont think anyone knew he was there i would not have noticed my friend saw him enter and quickly sit down
when i brought up the harp his eyes lit up i suppose everyone asks about his guitar playing. he left in a chevy pick up with tinted windows very discreet.
Last Edited by on Sep 13, 2012 8:58 AM
The new ZZ Top album "La Futura" is now available on iTunes - I want to check it out this weekend. I listened to the samples on iTunes and heard some cool harp. Yeah, they need a harp player on tour. They've got such a fat sound.
@Michael - I need to get back to Austin, would love to do some jams there
@MN - I just missed Derek Trucks, John Mayer and BB King here in LA (frowny face)
i agree with MN about derek trucks. i'd also love to see some more harp on Govt Mule songs. not just the standard blues tunes, but some of their other stuff. i'd especially love to see jason sit in on Afro Blue.
