This is one of my favorites by Steve Miller, although I hadn't heard this particular live version. I like to play and sing it in E, crossharp on an A harp, to comport with my voice range. Of course, many artists have covered this song, but I like Miller's interpretation the best.
Norton Buffalo isn't talked about enough; easily one of the most versatile harmonicas ever. He was a demon of a diatonic player, but he was just as adept playing chromatic. Blues, rock, country and blue grass, folk, swing, classical, he could play it all . ---------- Ted Burke http://youtube.com/watch?v=-VPUDjK-ibQ&feature=relmfu
Here's another Norton Buffalo version of "Mercury Blues" with slide guitar master Roy Rodgers. This version is superior to the Steve Miller rendition and it shows Norton's uncanny knack for rhythmic playing, as well showing his chops both on diatonic and chromatic harmonica. ---------- ---------- Ted Burke http://youtube.com/watch?v=-VPUDjK-ibQ&feature=relmfu
One performance that clinches Buffalo's position as one of the great harmonica players is his solo on Bonnie Raitt's edition of "Runaway" in which he uses several harmonicas in different keys. Besides being a nice bit of showmanship--like a high wire act-- the solo is coherent, melodic, substantial. One phrase picks up from another, there are variations on the theme. It is a wonderful showpiece. ---------- Ted Burke http://youtube.com/watch?v=-VPUDjK-ibQ&feature=relmfu
The fact is that Norton B messes up his solo on this live cut (Bonnie R "Runaway") becuse of his harp switching. Those last bars are not very satisfying ... (The recorded version is considerably tighter.) Still, I suppose it a cool thing -- although I´d personally play it on a Bb harp all the way thorugh. My guess is that Norton was a dedicated 2 pos player and didn´t go outside that, so he had to adapt the solo to 2 pos riffs, despite the complications.
I believe I´ve never heard him attempt any other position. Would be interesting to be disproved.
Have to agree with FMWoodeye that the solo on the earlier version of "Mercury blues" beats his later effort. Nevertheless a masterful harmonica player.
Ed. @FMWoodeye: he uses four harps.
Last Edited by Martin on Feb 11, 2013 3:38 PM
I am pretty sure that in Runaway he he uses F, Eb, Db, and C harmonicas in that order each time.
In a live performance years ago I successfully navigated the changes using just an F, and my solo was well received. It wasn't an identical solo to Norton's, but it worked. The audience didn't notice, but of course I did.
I have played it his way, harp switching during rehearsal. There is no room for delay when switching harps in that solo, and I didn't feel I had it smooth enough for live performance. ----------
Regarding Mercury Blues, I think the one with Roy Rogers playing slide is performed closer to the original speed and energy of the song, and I like Norton's harp playing better, too. However, I think the Steve Miller version is bluesier, less rocked out, and stands as a good interpretation. ----------
Original is still the best imho K.C. Douglas is vocals/guitar, Richard Riggins harmonica aka Harmonica Slim, Ron Thompson lead guitar, Jim Marshall drums.
Thanks Goldbrick for providing the original "Mercury blues". Despite being and old bastard and long time blues fan I´d never heard that one.
I´m generally not wild about that "enery" blues cover band deem it necessary to infuse their version with, but here I have to say that among others Steve Miller outdoes the original. Really weak singing from K C Douglas himself.
Norton told me a story about switching harps and maybe this video was what he was talking about....
He said he was doing his switch harmonica thing while playing "Runaway" and one time as he was switching back, one harmonica just disappeared on him while performing..never to be found. Perhaps this was that experience. ---------- The Iceman
