Crucial Harmonica Blues
- 艺人
- Various Artists
- 语种
- 英语
- 厂牌
- Alligator Records
- 发行时间
- 2003年01月21日
- 专辑类别
- 合集、杂锦
专辑介绍
One of three simultaneously released budget-priced Alligator blues compilations (the other two are Crucial Guitar Blues and Crucial Chicago Blues), Crucial Harmonica Blues is a 12-track anthology of the Chicago-based label's most popular and legendary harp artists. The track list reads like a who's who of harmonica with James Cotton, Big Walter Horton, Charlie Musselwhite, Carey Bell, Billy Boy Arnold, and Sonny Terry all contributing a track apiece. The tunes cover the years from 1972-2002 (practically spanning the label's existence) as well as a variety of blues settings. Acoustic Piedmont style is handled by Cephas & Wiggins with an instrumental showcase called "Burn Your Bridges" that proves non-amplified playing can be just as fiery as the electric approach favored by the majority of these artists. Those who enjoy speed over emotion can latch onto Sugar Blue's lip-shredding attack on "One More Mile to Go," or William Clarke's husky playing on the appropriately titled "Blowin' Like Hell." A jazzier West Coast style is exemplified by Little Charlie & the Nightcats' "Coastin' Hank," a showpiece for the great Rick Estrin. "Broke and Hungry" from the label's 1990 Harp Attack! showcase features both Junior Wells and Billy Branch. Liner notes only advertise the albums these tunes are culled from and the lack of personnel is a significant omission even if this is a budget-priced release. As a sampler though, this is an effective way to taste the label's harp roster and should introduce all but hardcore fans to names they might not have known before.
1. Charlie Musselwhite...D
Make my getaway - Charlie breaks new ground, mingling his amazing harp and down home voice with a killer horn section, plus his red hot touring band and a guest appearance by John Lee Hooker. A Grammy nominee. Released in 1991.
2. Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell ...C
Have mercy - The late blues harmonica master and his finest pupil teamed up on record only once, for an album of simply amazing harp playing. From swinging shuffles to slow acoustic tunes, this is everything a blues harp fan could ask for. With veteran Eddie Taylor on guitar. Released in 1972.
3. Billy Boy Arnold...C
Back Where I Belong - The return of the legendary harmonica giant from the 1950s Chicago blues scene. This was Billy's first recording in many years and shows why he was ranked with Junior Wells and Little Walter. A vital recording by a bluesman who is anything but over the hill. Released in 1993.
4. Sonny Terry with Johnny Winter, Willie Dixon and Styve Homnick...A
Whoopin' - The master of country blues harmonica meets the super-hot guitarist and the great blues bassist in a terrific supersession produced by Johnny Winter. Sonny Terry never made another record like this, playing in a hard Delta style with an all-star band. Released
in 1984.
5. James Cotton, Junior Wells, Carey Bell and Billy Branch ...C
Harp Attack! - Four of the world's greatest blues harp players meet head to head in a "blowdown" super-session. Tough, inventive harp plus an all-star band with Lucky Peterson. Essential for any harp fan. Released in 1990.
6. Delbert McClinton...C
Live From Austin - The only live album by the King of the Texas Roadhouses. From raw rockers to soul ballads, Delbert's tough, road-tested voice fronts a driving band including five horns. One of our best sellers ever. Released in 1989.
7. Cephas & Wiggins...C
Somebody Told The Truth - Rollicking acoustic blues and ragtime from the internationally famed masters of the Piedmont style, rich in soulful authenticity.Gorgeous guitar and harmonica duets fueled by musical passion and their intuitive feel for each other's playing. Released in 2002.
8. Little Charlie & The Nightcats...C Chromatic
That's Big! - California's jump blues masters' eighth album of swinging blues songs full of street-smart humor and terrific musicianship. Wild guitar, fat harmonica, jumping grooves, great songwriting. Released in 2002.
9. James Cotton ...F
High Compression - The Alligator debut of the king of high-powered blues and boogie harmonica, backed by two terrific bands - an all-star traditional blues band featuring Pinetop Perkins and Magic Slim, and his own funky touring group. Released in 1984.
10. Carey Bell ...D
Deep Down - A master of the classic Chicago harmonica sound delivers the peak album of his life. A veteran of both Muddy Waters' and Willie Dixon's bands, Carey's deep blues soul can be heard in every lick. A great band including Lurrie Bell. Released in 1995.
11. Sugar Blue...D
Blue Blazes - The pyrotechnic harmonica genius who's recorded and toured with everyone from
Willie Dixon to The Rolling Stones. High-energy, cutting-edge harp tinged with jazz, funk and rock. A power-packed slice of tomorrow's blues. Released in 1994. Available in Europe on Ruf Records.
12. William Clarke...B
Blowin' Like Hell - The late giant of West Coast blues harp, he learned from the legendary George "Harmonica" Smith and melded his huge harmonica tone with the swinging, jazzy California blues sound. Great songwriting, great vocals, fabulous harp. Released in 1990.
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