I was inspired to create this thread and hear what you all think after I saw John Popper singing "No Woman No Cry" on a youtube clip. I've never heard him play, until now, I'm not exactly sure why!
I would rank my favorite vocalists in no particular order (this list changes as I progress on my journey!)
Kim Wilson Gary Primich John Popper Jason Ricci Paul Butterfield Slim Harpo
Paul Butterfield? Jason Ricci? Vocalists? They'd both laugh. So would Musselwhite, but you didn't include him on the list.
Kim, Gary for sure. But check out also Gary Smith, Norton Buffalo, Paul De Lay, Billy Gibson, James Harman, Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Rogers, Rick Estrin (OK, hard to call what he does singing but he uses his mouth so well....), Little Walter was a great singer,.....
And the best living vocalist who plays harp well? In my opinion, Curtis Salgado.
jason isnt a great "singer" nor does he have a good voice, but for what he does it works perfect an i like it alot. an he lyrics are great too. jason is more of a rock star vocalist. but thats just in response to gregs comment. as far as the thread goes, imma have to get back to you on that. but yes john popper is a very good singer. actually i like John Németh alot.
Good thread. I haven't seen Salgado live. I've seen Billy Gibson and would rank him very highly. Harman can really sing.
Junior Parker should not be forgotten; his harp playing is underrated, but his singing, purely as blues singing, puts him in the top 3, period. Listen to "Mystery Train," "Sweet Home Chicago," and "Driving Wheel."
Jimmy Reed, of course.
Sugar Blue has a terrific high tenor--not to everybody's taste, I suspect, but definitely to mine.
Ahhhhhhh: Sam Myers. He's on that top 3 list. No question. No comparison, actually. On the right night, his voice was unbelievably huge and dynamic. His harps were usually flat; I never liked that. But when the man opened his mouth, through the right PA system, it was like a thunderclap. This clips gets a some of that:
Of course I have heard him. Hell, I memorized the "Born in Chaicago" solo when I was still a beginner, probably like a huge number of us here. To me Butter was more of a talker and screamer than a true singer. I'm not taking anything away from him as a performer - he was awesome - I just don't think singing was his skill in the same way it is like some of the folks we're talking about. I SHOULD have mentioned John Nemeth. ---------- /Greg
http://www.BlowsMeAway.com http://www.BlueStateBand.net
Last Edited by on May 23, 2009 11:39 PM
I feel weird critiquing Bruce Willis's singing, but he seems to be ending all his lines like he's run out of breath, which is kind of weird for a someone who plays harmonica and looks like he's really in shape. He starts well but I don't like how he finishes a note. Still, not bad for an actor. In my band I let the other people sing lead whenever I can, even although I grew up singing in choir. (I originally just took up the harmonica because our lead singer was paranoid that if I didn't have a instrument of my own I'd try to steal the mic. I love playing harmonica, but I'd rather write the lyrics. I'm actually happier playing my harmonica around my apartment than I am in front of people.)
Dave Howard (of Roomful of Blues), but he's a singer first, harp player second. Also Sugar Ray Norica, formerly of Roomful of Blues. (Curtis Salgado also sang for Roomful.)
actually i take that back. i think jason is a good singer. its just a differnt style or something. i cant think of the right word. its not like he has a soothing voice, an hits notes, like John Németh, but the guy can still sing his ass off.
Dead: Pat Ramsey, Paul Delay, Junior Wells, Cotton 1960-1993, BUTTERFIELD (Greg you seriously need to go back and listen to some of that shit!!!) Butter had a gigantic range, very natural unaffected timbre, soulful sincere delivery, and TONS of chops. (I do feel ridiculous being mentioned here. I entertain. I could sing much better than I do IF I was willing to put on a contrived voice that is not natural to my own. I wont do it. I can sing LIKE many artists, Im a good immitator and good at impressions too, singing is SO personal, I would rather suck and suck like me than pass and sound like someone else. All the guys I mentioned had/have their own sound.
Totally agree about Butterfield - really soulful, he meant it! Billy Gibson's voice is very cool too. I like the way his calm delivery counterpoints his manic harp style.
Also, Mitch Kashmar has a great voice, as does Hugh Coltman of The Hoax - another powerhouse blues singer/harp player, but equally at home performing his more soul-orientated solo stuff.
I'd go for the long departed : Howlin'Wolf, Rice Miller, Johnny Woods, Alan Wilson, Sonny Boy Williamson I, Sonny Terry. All soulful singers.
And I add french singer Alain Bashung, not because he's dead but because his first instrument, way before he sang, was the harmonica. And also our own belgian singer Arno, who can blow very cool harp too.
Last Edited by on May 24, 2009 1:59 AM
Can't believe only one person mentioned Junior Wells. If you want to pick the best harp player/singer imagine you were going to a gig where they were not allowed to play harp and could only sing.
Wheezer, that's a very interesting way to look at it!
Jason, you're not going to win any American Idol contests, but you're voice works in the context of your music (why wouldn't it) and I really like the music so the voice will have to ride along.
Hmm +1 for Mitch Kashmar.
Taj Mahal! He's got a great voice. Has anyone heard his "Mumtaz Mahal" album? His vocals are a perfect blend for the adapted music with the sitar and the chitra vina
junior wells, little walter, howlin' wolf, sonny boy2 butterfield, the list goes on , I always mention junior wells , his voice was so damn funky. Very underated , but to those in the know , will know!
I'd have to go with Curtis Salgado and John Nemeth with the one's I've seen live. I also like the addition of Howlin Wolf to the list. You have to have a certain appreciation for his gruff voice, but no one ever put more effort into his vocals than the wolf. You gotta love his howling on Smokestack Lightning...
I've seen Salgado live- amazing singer. And I'd totally consider Butterfield to be an AWESOME blues singer- if nothing else, his singing has an amazing amount of soul- his vocals totally kick's the butts of these other famous blues men:
I have Billy Gibson's live at rum boogie but I never really payed much attention to his vocals because I was so blown away by his harp but now that I think about it his vocals are pretty awesome too. ---------- "Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
Last Edited by on May 24, 2009 3:50 PM
wow what a tough call so many fine singers that are legends playing the harmonica , stand outs for me paul butterfield , a genius in both the harp playing and vocals ,he is possibly no1 for me ,sonny boy williamson 2 ,, his voice oouzed feeling. dam theres so many, but im also gonna give a mention to britains west weston exellent harp and vocals , . but also george harmonicas smiths , bacon fat blues , superb harp and vocals, but cant get away from butterfield , best all round for me.
Great thread. It's turned me on to some players I hadn't listened to before. I'm sitting here right now listening to The Billy Gibson Band, Live @ Rum Boogie Cafe. Great sound. It gets me to thinking that when I want to really "HEAR" what a band sounds like I want to listen to live recordings.
i like howlin wolf alot but for me hes on that same level of jason. he sounds good for what he does but like some one said he isnt winning any american idol contests.
is american idol of any real value in this society of karaoke wannabes then? I can't see him queueing up all day just to sing in front of simon and his merry band of judges , do you ?
