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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Top 12 Living Blues Harp Players
Top 12 Living Blues Harp Players
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atty1chgo
1101 posts
Sep 02, 2014
1:43 PM
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I know, I know. I hear people groaning... "Another list?"
But I was inspired to post this list because of Jason Ricci's great achievement in playing on the late Johnny Winter's new album released today. Jason has for a long time, but is now certainly breathing the rarified air of GREATNESS.
- Not in any order, just one blues harp fan's view.
I use Adam Gussow's four categories to rate:
INFLUENCE
TECHNICAL MASTERY
SOULFULNESS
RECORDED EVIDENCE
Here is the list:
Top 12 Living Blues Harp Players:
James Cotton
Sugar Blue
Charlie Musselwhite
Billy Branch
Jason Ricci
Phil Wiggins
Magic Dick
Curtis Salgado
Rick Estrin
Kim Wilson
Jerry Portnoy
Corky Siegel
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Sep 02, 2014 1:43 PM
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kudzurunner
4920 posts
Sep 02, 2014
2:26 PM
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That's a pretty good start.
No Rod Piazza? I think he's the most obvious omission, and the one where you'll instantly take some heat.
Corky Siegel is a quirky choice and I think you'll get some argument there. He hasn't been much discussed on this forum.
I'd personally swap him out for Mitch Kashmar.
I think that Joe Filisko and Madcat Ruth are clearly both in the running. I think John Nemeth is a close call, too.
But Piazza is surely on that Top-12 list.
The influence thing is tricky when you're talking about living players. Cotton, Ricci, and Wilson have all been audible influences on many.
It's a good start, though. I'll be interested to see how this thread develops.
The only thing I'd add to your criteria, at this point, is the three-second test: Can you ID this player in 3 seconds if they come on the radio? Cotton: Yes. Sugar Blue: yes!! Estrin: yes. Jason: yes!! Wiggins: yes! Kim Wilson: yes, absolutely.
Portnoy?
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Ted Burke
155 posts
Sep 02, 2014
3:03 PM
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Mark Ford
Sugar Blue
Madcat Ruth
Jason Ricci
Johnny Mars
Carlos del Junco
Rod Piazza
Charlie Musselwhite
James Cotton
Jean-Jacques Milteau
Steve Guyger
Magic Dick
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"I don't play too fast. You're listening too slow."
ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.com
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harpoon_man
75 posts
Sep 02, 2014
3:35 PM
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I don't have a complete list, but one possible omission: Dennis Gruenling. Not sure how he scores in the influence category, but I have seen him a couple of times recently, and he could get up on stage with any of the guys listed and more than hold his own.
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DoubleJ
69 posts
Sep 02, 2014
3:42 PM
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Agree, Dennis is a must. Don't forget Pat Ramsey, Howard Levy,and, for influence alone, (not to mention technical mastery), John Popper.
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Ted Burke
156 posts
Sep 02, 2014
3:56 PM
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Pat Ramsey surpasses most living players, I think, and the sad thing is that he's deceased. John Popper is not a blues harmonica player, however, and though he is influential he is, however unique his sound, an over rated player. I find is attack imprecise; he is not the cleanest player on the planet. And he cannot play the low end at all with any real credibility; it is there where he sounds like a beginner trying to hard to get the gutsy, mannish tone of a seasoned harp sideman. He reigns in the upper reaches, of course, but that is an area that tries the soul, the nerve endings, and the patience.
Last Edited by Ted Burke on Oct 09, 2014 7:04 AM
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IndianaHarpKid
39 posts
Sep 02, 2014
4:11 PM
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I'm not sure how influential he is, but I think LD Miller should be included in the discussion of best living blues harp players. That said, he also hasn't recorded a lot, so he might not score high there either.
Last Edited by IndianaHarpKid on Sep 02, 2014 4:11 PM
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atty1chgo
1103 posts
Sep 02, 2014
4:29 PM
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@ kudzurunner - Thanks for your post. The reason that Jason's performance on the new Johnny Winter release inspired me to try this list was induced by a reflection on some blues history.
The harp player on the Johnny Winter-produced Muddy Waters masterpiece "Hard Again" was James Cotton. The harp player on the next Muddy Waters- Johnny Winter-produced record, "I'm Ready" was Jerry Portnoy. The harp players on the CLASSIC "Muddy Mississippi" Waters Live" record (also produced by Johnny Winter) were Jerry Portnoy and James Cotton. Both are alive and available, yet Winter chose Jason Ricci to perform the Little Walter seminal song "My Babe" That is high praise indeed.
Phil Wiggins is arguably and definitively the finest country blues harp player since Sonny Terry. A long list of recordings with John Cephas, and national and international acclaim, including The Smithsonian Institution.
I listed Corky Siegel because of his long history with his own band, his roots on the South Side of Chicago during an epic period of blues music, "earning their spurs backing greats like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Willie Dixon". (Siegel-Schwall Band website).
About Siegel-Schwall Band - "They were the house band at Pepper's Lounge on Chicago's South Side. Every important Chicago blues musician sat in with Corky and Jim at Pepper's, including Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Billy Boy Arnold, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, Otis Spann, Bo Diddley, Lazy Lester and Sam Lay, just to name a few." (Wikipedia) Siegel Schwall Band have 18 blues album recordings and 35 reissues. Corky has expanded the blues into a collaboration and fusion with classical and chamber music with his Chamber Blues Band - at the highest levels with top conductors and classical players.
As for recognizing each players style, I think they are all easily recognizable. And the players are all blues harp players, not hybrids. I agree about Mitch Kashmar, who is almost criminally underrated by most observers.
Curtis Salgado - primary influence of The Blues Brothers, 6 years with Robert Cray Band and then his own bands, multiple recordings, recent blues award nominations and honors with his albums, just an outstanding harp player, as seen in the clip below.
I believe that these two belong, and of course there is room for some debate, but how anyone can justify leaving any of the other 10 from such a list speaks more to personal preference than legitimate criteria...except...
I'm still endeavoring to answer your "Portnoy?" question. For all of his history, prowess, and recognition for being the harp player behind, arguably, the two top blues guitarists of the modern era (Eric Clapton and Muddy Waters). Jerry Portnoy does not pass the three second test. He is the most replaceable player on the list, unfortunately.
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Sep 02, 2014 5:51 PM
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Goldbrick
663 posts
Sep 02, 2014
5:36 PM
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My Favorite
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kudzurunner
4921 posts
Sep 02, 2014
8:05 PM
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I think that Dennis, Salgado, and Oscher definitely need to be in this conversation.
Oscher's story about Little Walter in that video is priceless. Thanks for that, Goldbrick. It makes you realize how much has changed.
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DoubleJ
70 posts
Sep 02, 2014
8:07 PM
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It just feels like Pat is still with us. Dennis is still a must. Interestingly the 3 sec test will be different depending upon location. Corky would pass the test in Chicago for sure.
Adam Gussow will pass the 3 sec test with most serious harpers anywhere in the world, more so than many of the other names on both proposed lists.
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kudzurunner
4922 posts
Sep 02, 2014
8:12 PM
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I probably start my own list something like this:
James Cotton
Sugar Blue
Charlie Musselwhite
Billy Branch
Jason Ricci
Phil Wiggins
Magic Dick
Curtis Salgado
Rick Estrin
Kim Wilson
Rod Piazza
Dennis Gruenling
There's no question that Oscher is a triple threat like nobody else around: harp, guitar, and piano. Nobody else is close. But strictly as a harp player: does he pass the three-second test? Can you tell the Paul Oscher sound on the radio? I heard Phil Wiggins this evening playing on Bluesville with Corey Harris, and it was....him. Couldn't be anybody else. Still, maybe Oscher is the guy who makes you question the three-second test. Maybe he IS the tradition. The living keeper of the flame. Maybe he doesn't need to be any more than that--which he clearly is. A conservator, rather than an innovator.
But he's not going to blow you away in the same way that a Kim Wilson or Sugar Blue blows you away.
Edited to add: And maybe I'm wrong about him not blowing you away. When he sits in a chair and plays guitar behind his harp, he WILL blow you away, because there is no other harp player on the list who, using guitar and harp, can conjure the spirit and groove of Muddy and Spann in the way he does. He's probably the greatest living master of the slow, space-filled Muddy-groove we've got.
I'm sure there are some superb players who haven't even been mentioned yet.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Sep 03, 2014 4:48 AM
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atty1chgo
1104 posts
Sep 03, 2014
12:18 AM
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jbone
1751 posts
Sep 03, 2014
4:07 AM
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I like most of the choices people have made but one guy not mentioned, who I think is overlooked, is James Harman.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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kudzurunner
4923 posts
Sep 03, 2014
4:41 AM
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Actually, I'm quite sure that one of the players on my own list, above, would have to be removed to make room for Carlos del Junco.
I'm surprised that Mark Hummel's name hasn't come up. Considered purely as a harp player, he spins circles around Harman, although Harman is a deeper and much greasier blues singer.
One thing I've found useful when mulling over choices for such lists is "Which of these players is most likely to be remembered, imitated, talked about, 50 years from now?" Step back and take the long view.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Sep 03, 2014 4:43 AM
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Diggsblues
1522 posts
Sep 03, 2014
4:59 AM
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Charlie McCoy
Buddy Greene
Mike Caldwell
Todd Parott
Steve Guyger
Mark Harmon
Charlie Musselwhite
Sugar Blue
Rob Paparozzi
James Cotton
Jason Ricci
Sandy Weltman
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Last Edited by Diggsblues on Sep 03, 2014 6:25 AM
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The Iceman
1994 posts
Sep 03, 2014
6:04 AM
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Kim Wilson
Rick Estrin
Charlie Musselwhite
Mark Hummel
Carlos del Junco
Rod Piazza
Sandy Weltman
Steve Guyger
Dennis Gruenling
Westside Andy
Keith Dunn
Corky Siegel
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The Iceman
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harpdude61
2093 posts
Sep 03, 2014
6:20 AM
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C'mon yall! Let's make it the Top 14 1/2 list. That way we can put an up and comer that's not quite there.
Personally, I think top 3 list makes for better discussion.
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www.facebook.com/catfishfryeband
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Goldbrick
664 posts
Sep 03, 2014
6:27 AM
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ok
Top 3
Cotton
Wilson
Oscher
McCoy is great but should be on a country list with Mickey Raphael
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kudzurunner
4924 posts
Sep 03, 2014
6:52 AM
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@diggs: McCoy, Greene, and Caldwell aren't blues players. They're brilliant and soulful country/bluegrass players who may have recorded a blues or two. They certainly belong on a "best living country harmonica players" list. Caldwell certainly doesn't pitch himself, as all, as a blues player:
http://www.mikecaldwellmusic.com/mike-caldwell-harmonica-see-and-hear.html
Here's a fun video that will show how he combines McCoy's approach (he mentions at the end that he's a student of Charlie's) with overblows, all in a throwdown with Brendan Power:
@diggs & iceman: Sandy Weltman? Please post videos and/or suggest recordings that might convince us, and make a claim for his influence on other players.
I assume that the category "influence" is about the player in question AS A PLAYER, not as a teacher. In other words, as an audible influence in the playing of other players. Cotton, Piazza, Kim W., Jason all make my list, among other reasons, because they've clearly had an audible influence.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Sep 03, 2014 6:57 AM
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eharp
2212 posts
Sep 03, 2014
7:19 AM
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Magic Dick?
Besides his Whammer Jammer (and are we REALLY gonna call it Blues?), he really doesn't stand out, imo.
And if he wasn't with one of the best live, party bands, he may not have been known for that one.
Of course, he is probably scoring MAJOR points for that one in the influence category.
Last Edited by eharp on Sep 03, 2014 7:27 AM
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eharp
2213 posts
Sep 03, 2014
7:23 AM
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And speaking of the "influence" category.
Besides Magic, how many of these guys influenced you to play harp?
Hell, I had only heard Cotton, Ruth and Magic before I picked up the harp.
Or am I misunderstanding the category?
Is it who influences my style of playing?
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The Iceman
1996 posts
Sep 03, 2014
7:55 AM
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Having "come up" w/Sandy Weltman as one of the triumvirate of Augusta Heritage Howard Levy students (Carlos, Sandy and myself), I like Sandy's approach to music in general and how he plays blues. So, it is a personal thing for me...
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The Iceman
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Diggsblues
1524 posts
Sep 03, 2014
8:26 AM
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It's says blues harp. Charlie plays blues harp and I sat in a blues jam with Buddy Greene and he can play blues.
Mike Caldwell showed how you can use blues in country.
I've met mike and Buddy and hung with them at jams so
I stand by my list. If you don't think there is country in blues go back and listen to Junior Wells and his major pentatonic licks. I stand by choices of players.
You could say the same about Howard not being blues but jazz or world music.
I have a book with tons of blues licks by Sandy that I got from him at SPAH.
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atty1chgo
1105 posts
Sep 03, 2014
8:41 AM
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Going by kudzurunner's challenge to take the long view, I don't think anyone but their families (and that is a stretch too, perhaps) will remember the names of Sandy Weltman, Steve Guyger, Westside Andy, Keith Dunn, Rob Paparozzi, Mike Caldwell, Mark Ford et.al. as people, let alone harp players. (OK, maybe an errant grandchild). I am sure that they are fine players, even if many (including me) have never heard of them before. That may be my fault for not being more well rounded, and may sound awfully rude, but when constructing a list of the best, putting less than the best down may be laudable, but does not make for a serious list. Having never, ever heard of someone before does not bode well, generally, for being on a "Best Of" list. Maybe one person, but not 4 or 5 on a list. JMHO
To be fair, some of what we see is the result of regional areas of influence, which may explain the anonymity. But even so, if someone is known around the world, like Billy Branch for instance, and a player like Rob Paparozzi, who isn't (I would guess), and the lesser known player is listed, that sort of skews the criteria toward "Favorites" rather than "Best", especially since Mr. Paparozzi probably can not compare with Mr. Branch across the board on the criteria as well.
But that's what makes lists so fascinating. I guess if we made a list of our Favorites, everybody gets a chance to put their faves up there. But that's not the intent here. :)
Nevertheless, if you think that some of these players merit attention, post something in defense. It's everyone's List, not the original poster. The goal is to reach as broad a consensus as possible.
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Sep 03, 2014 8:57 AM
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blueswannabe
493 posts
Sep 03, 2014
9:49 AM
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I'm going wiht Adam's list. Piazza before Siegel, and that's mainly becasue I never heard of Siegel and using the 4 criteria
INFLUENCE
TECHNICAL MASTERY
SOULFULNESS
RECORDED EVIDENCE
Also, you may want to consider Annie Raines.
in addition, You may want to consider a top 20 with a top 5 indisputable, protected class, don't even think about taking them off list, such as
1. James Cotton
2. Charlie Musselwhite
3. Kim Wilson
4. Rick Estrin
5. Billy Branch
Last Edited by blueswannabe on Sep 03, 2014 9:58 AM
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John95683
186 posts
Sep 03, 2014
9:57 AM
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Mark Hummel would be on my list, as would Rod Piazza. I know this is heresy, but I not a huge fan of James Cotton.
In Goldbrick's video above, Paul Oscher proves that you don't need a tight cup to get great tone.
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yogi
75 posts
Sep 03, 2014
10:43 AM
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Curtis S is a new name to me and boy am I glad you have put him on my radar.
On an aside, the first video of Curtis shows the clearest example of where tone and soul come from in harmonica player. It struck me like a hammer between 3.30 and 4.00 watching the close up on the sheer power coming from the throat lower jaw. They are working like bellows. An amazing insight fore me. I am going to add practicing in front of a mirror to my woodshedding check list.
Thank you for sharing that Atty
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Michael Rubin
938 posts
Sep 03, 2014
11:09 AM
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Attychgo What kind of rock have you been under that you don't know who Mark Ford is?
Blueswannabe, the indisputable protected class is disputed. I'm with you for everyone but Billy Branch. I enjoy his music very much, but I wouldn't put him in my top group.
I'll give it a shot:
James Cotton
Charlie Musselwhite
Kim Wilson
Rick Estrin
Sugar Blue
Rod Piazza
Jason Ricci
Joe Filisko
Dennis Gruenling
Madcat Ruth
Some of these guys are not my favorites, but their influence is huge. Although I didn't mention him,consider Hummel. He has brought so many harmonica shows to the public.
I LOVE Portnoy and think him misunderstood and very unique. I also love Oscher and find him much more exciting than Sugar Blue, Kudzu. I appreciate Sugar but he doesn't do it for me.
I think RJ Mischo deserves a mention. What saddens me is how few great players there are. I once posted a list of all the pro level harp players I could think of. I have been obssesed with harp for 30 years. I could only name 200 people. Of those 200, I can only honestly say I love 30 people's music. I enjoy a lot more, but flat out love not so many.
I have come to the conclusion that harmonica is a hard instrument to play well.
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kudzurunner
4925 posts
Sep 03, 2014
11:38 AM
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@Diggs: By your criteria, Howard Levy, who "can" play blues, should clearly be on the list. Why did you leave him off? William Galison can also play extraordinary blues on the chromatic. Why not him? And why not Brendan Power? He, like the three country players you've put on your list, doesn't consider himself a blues player, and yet he, like your players, can surely, if asked, throw down a monstrous blues.
Your criteria for inclusion don't make sense to me.
As for whether there is country in blues--i.e, a major pentatonic scale: of course there is. I use the major pentatonc scale all the time. I'm a blues player. I can play a little country harp--I played a kick-ass country solo on my country composition, "Rattle On," just released on an album by Chance Moore called A COUNTRY BOY LIKE ME--but I wouldn't call myself a country harp player. I don't believe that Charlie McCoy, Buddy Greene, and Mike Caldwell would call themselves blues harmonica players--although they, like I, can cross over when we're so inclined. Since blues is a bedrock of American music, an idiomatic flavor that shows up in country, bluegrass, jazz, and rock, its not surprising that the cream of the crop players in those other idioms can throw down a good blues. That doesn't mean that they belong on atty1chgo's Top-12 list.
But of course you're welcome to propose any player you like. Whether or not anybody agrees with you is another matter. I'd like to hear somebody else make a strong case for Buddy Greene as one of the greatest living blues harmonica players. Please post links to his bluesiest recordings, everybody. "The William Tell Overture" doesn't count.
For the record, I exchanged several emails with Buddy about the possibility of appearing at Hill Country Harmonica. I didn't do so because I consider him a blues player, but because the kind of country/gospel harp that he does play is something that blues players can learn from, just as they can learn by listening to Sonny Rollins, Stevie Wonder, and Steve Gadd.
You'll notice that I haven't said anything about Todd Parrott. Unlike Buddy Green, I didn't just speak with Todd about HCH; I booked him. He has a lot of blues in his playing--in ALL his playing--and for my money, he certainly stands on the sort of borderline between blues, country, and gospel (not to mention having the requisite soulfulness and technical brilliance) that makes him very much a part of this debate. In regards to Todd, you and I very much find ourselves in agreement.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Sep 03, 2014 11:44 AM
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smwoerner
266 posts
Sep 03, 2014
12:40 PM
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How about another approach to this list? If you were booking a festival how would rank the drawing power of the players that are showing up on this list? If you look at Adam’s all time top 10 list every one of those artists at some time was the lead name on the banner and the album.
John Popper
Kim Wilson
Charlie Musselwhite
James Cotton
Sugar Blue
Rick Estrin
Billy Branch
Rod Piazza
Carlos del Junco
Magic Dick
Jason Ricci
This is in no way a list of my favorite or top players in order. However, I think when you talk about top living players you have give some weight to their drawing potential. Most of this will come from name recognition. I’d say with the general public Popper, Wilson, Musselwhite, Blue, and Cotton top the list of name recognition.
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Purveyor of Optimized New and Refurbished Harmonicas.
scott@scottwoerner.com
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Moon Cat
456 posts
Sep 03, 2014
12:50 PM
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Moon Cats Favorite LIVING Blues harpers (in no order):
1.) Adam Gussow
2.) Paul Linden
3.) Kim Wilson
4.) Curtis Salgado
5.) Rick Estrin
6.) Mitch Kashmar
7.) Taj Mahal
8.) Michael Peloquin
9.) Dennis Gruenling
10.) James Cotton
11.) Rod Piazza
12.) Magic Dick
I picked the purest blues guys I could, if there were some extras after # 12... I would Have definitely added Brendan Powers and Howard of course cause those guys rip amazing stuff!!!!!! I just grabbed the guys that blow the best blues to my ears.
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www.mooncat.org
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Diggsblues
1525 posts
Sep 03, 2014
1:00 PM
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@kudz
When have you known me to care
if anybody agrees with me LOLLL
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sean
3 posts
Sep 03, 2014
1:48 PM
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Dennis Gruenling
Steve West Weston
Lyndon Anderson
Kim Wilson
David Barrett
Rod Piazza
Carlos Del Junco
Rick Estrin
jean Jacques Milteau
Jason Ricci
Mitch Kashmar
Adam Gussow
For my money Dennis Gruenling IS the best harp player in the world at this time without a doubt.
Sean
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Goldbrick
665 posts
Sep 03, 2014
2:06 PM
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Since we are stretching,
This man has tone, chops, taste and can play anything
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kudzurunner
4926 posts
Sep 04, 2014
11:34 AM
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Here's a video from 1999 that should help explain why Carlos is such a rare talent. He's got incredible touch, amazingly sweet vibrato, a distinctive melodic imagination, superb utilization of double-stops and chords (he's not just a single-note-guy), top-to-bottom mastery of those 10 holes. A sound that passes the 3-second test: on the radio, the sound you hear can only be his, once you're familiar with it. No limits, seemingly. (Only possible complaint: he doesn't burn super-hot. He's always on a simmer, or just cooling it out.) Desert island video?
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Sep 04, 2014 11:38 AM
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The Iceman
2005 posts
Sep 04, 2014
12:40 PM
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ah yes, the good ol' days.
(sorry, but I have to reminisce and mention)
Notice the stage, set up, backline, curtains along the back, monitors, and the sound and video quality.
This is what SPAH Convention concerts were like (and were improving year after year) up until 2001, when a "different" philosophy redid the convention in his own image (which unfortunately still has much residue currently).
Compare this video with anything posted since 2000 and you can see for yourself.
(I'll shut up now).
(KOFF)
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The Iceman
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atty1chgo
1112 posts
Sep 05, 2014
7:21 AM
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@ Michael Rubin - I HAVE been under a rock regarding Mark Ford, I'll have to give him a listen. And I did. I found a few clips (posted below) and quite frankly, what I heard was a predictible, distorted, often overdriven tone without much musical imagination. Am I missing something? I certainly didn't hear anything that placed him in the top tier of harp players. Please post something that might change my view, if you would.
I find Joe Filisko's playing incredibly masterful technically, and he is a great guy, but I find his playing also kind of (can I say it?) boring. Maybe it should be said more politely, but that's the way I hear his playing.
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Michael Rubin
942 posts
Sep 05, 2014
7:33 AM
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Atty1chgo, I like his work with The Charles Ford Band best. Here's a video I found that I haven't listened to but it's got a lot of tunes:http://youtu.be/ZfrctrPYjXo
Personally I think he's got lots of imagination, although highly influenced by Butterfield. Tone wise, I see him as one of the originators of that sound.
Filisko boring? We live on different planets.
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The Iceman
2011 posts
Sep 05, 2014
7:52 AM
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I don't find Filisko boring, but he doesn't inspire me.
Joe pretty much analyzes and reproduces other harmonica player's artistry for the most part - useful as a teaching tool.
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The Iceman
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atty1chgo
1113 posts
Sep 05, 2014
7:53 AM
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@ Michael Rubin - that is a much better representation of his playing. This sounds better, but not as bluesy. I guess it gets down to liking different styles. He has a Paul Butterfield style in some parts of this clip, agreed. And his playing here probably explains why you like Filisko's playing.
Maybe boring is the wrong word. It is not a boring way that he puts the notes together. Iceman's analysis is more accurate.
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Sep 05, 2014 7:55 AM
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Michael Rubin
943 posts
Sep 05, 2014
8:56 AM
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I believe you guys are missing what Filisko does. He learns the old way as a teaching tool and a sign of respect,but then creates entirely new ideas on the harp within a style that is very true to older styles. It is similiar to Kim Wilson having a style that is VERY reminiscent of Little Walter, but creating new licks.
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Ted Burke
162 posts
Sep 05, 2014
1:02 PM
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Ford is one of the most distinct players going here, and I can't think of anyone who has a better flow of ideas or a more potent attack than he does. Plus, he is the master of amplified tone, golden, crisp and compresed. What I like about him is his willingness to push the blues harp to where the guitar would normally be, dominant, playing all the fills with energy, precision, and enviable energy. He builds his solos with an arcitecht's sense of being true to the beauty of the basics but using them as the basis to push the music further. He is anything but predictable.
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"I don't play too fast. You're listening too slow."
ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.com
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isaacullah
2848 posts
Sep 05, 2014
1:13 PM
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I swear I never make these sorts of essentially negative comments, but I've been out of the country for this summer, unable to check in on this board. I just got back, and rather excitedly came here to see what was new, only to find the same old, tired topic(s) being rehashed. Sigh.
Sorry, again for the negativity, and this is not really directed at this thread specifically, but more is a reflection in my overall disappointment with this board of late. Maybe it's just me? I dunno...
Sorry again, fellas...
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YouTube! Soundcloud!
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Honkin On Bobo
1243 posts
Sep 05, 2014
1:22 PM
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isaacullah,
You are MOST DEFINITELY not alone.
Last Edited by Honkin On Bobo on Sep 05, 2014 1:23 PM
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BluesBrother
6 posts
Oct 09, 2014
5:41 AM
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Here is my Top 10
1. Charlie Musselwhite
2. Steve Baker
3. James Cotton
4. Sugar Blue
5. Toots Thielemans
6. Henry Heggen
7. Jason Ricci
8. Adam Gussow
9. Jean-Jacques Milteau
10. John Mayall
Last Edited by BluesBrother on Oct 09, 2014 5:43 AM
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kudzurunner
5026 posts
Oct 09, 2014
8:47 AM
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I heard a track by Mark Ford on Bluesville the other day--an early track with Blue Line--and was blown away. We need to have more of a conversation about him around here. I think this was the song:
Here's a few more.
I can't say I love his tone, but I love the band's energy and he contributes hugely to that:
Here's another. His debt to Butterfield becomes more obvious the more you listen to him. He's mostly a pucker player, I think.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Oct 09, 2014 9:02 AM
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