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Post by jk on Feb 10, 2020 11:38:45 GMT
I remember back at EH that the harmonica came in for a lot of stick from one poster in particular. Time, then, to redress that issue at BBT. The topic title comes from this sterling Beefheart track: More blowing from Don Van Vliet later in this topic.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Feb 10, 2020 14:24:19 GMT
When I think of the harmonica, my first thought is Bob Dylan, and the first song that comes to mind is "Pretty Peggy-O":
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Post by kds on Feb 10, 2020 14:32:33 GMT
I always think of some of those early Beatles songs when I think of harmonica (Please Please Me, Love Me Do, There's a Place, etc).
But, I don't think it's been used better than on the intro to Bruce Springsteen's Thunder Road (at least off the top of my head).
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Post by jk on Feb 10, 2020 21:50:27 GMT
I always think of some of those early Beatles songs when I think of harmonica (Please Please Me, Love Me Do, There's a Place, etc). Yes indeed. I often feel The Beatles were truly original in those days. Those three songs are great examples. This is harmonica playing of another order--not better, just different. It's Toots Thielemans waxing soulful on a theme from Rogier van Otterloo's score for the classic Dutch film Turks Fruit (1973). This is dedicated to that person who seriously dissed the harmonica at PSF and EH: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Delight_(1973_film)
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Post by jk on Feb 12, 2020 22:20:00 GMT
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Feb 13, 2020 0:39:36 GMT
It might not be Paul Butterfield's most sophisticated or complex playing, but this performance of "Mystery Train" is one of the highlights of The Last Waltz for me:
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Post by jk on Feb 13, 2020 21:39:19 GMT
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Post by Kapitan on Feb 14, 2020 13:41:16 GMT
The Captain (great name, that fella) also ought to be represented with what always struck me as a train song, Click Clack. Here's a live version from 1973 showing a band that might lack in the classical visual appeal, but that made up for it in kinetic energy!
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Post by B.E. on Feb 15, 2020 23:56:01 GMT
I always think of some of those early Beatles songs when I think of harmonica (Please Please Me, Love Me Do, There's a Place, etc). Yes indeed. I often feel The Beatles were truly original in those days. Those three songs are great examples. I've been listening to Live at the BBC lately and was reminded of the fantastic combination of John's harmonica and Paul's screams of "Clarabella". You needn't listen long to hear what I mean - about 15 seconds or so. Enjoy.
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Post by jk on Feb 16, 2020 11:06:55 GMT
I've been listening to Live at the BBC lately and was reminded of the fantastic combination of John's harmonica and Paul's screams of "Clarabella". You needn't listen long to hear what I mean - about 15 seconds or so. Enjoy. Lovely stuff. Their years of hard graft in Hamburg show through on a track like this. Thanks for that, B.E.
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Post by jk on Feb 18, 2020 11:59:32 GMT
The Captain (great name, that fella) also ought to be represented with what always struck me as a train song, Click Clack. Here's a live version from 1973 showing a band that might lack in the classical visual appeal, but that made up for it in kinetic energy!
Ooohh, I missed this first time round! This was the Magic Band I saw in '72, with Orejón ("big ears") aka Roy Estrada on second bass. Rockette Morton's perambulations stole the show, needless to say. I wonder whether Ed Marimba aka Art Tripp took to wearing ladies' panties on his head before or after obtaining his Master of Music degree?
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Feb 19, 2020 2:34:18 GMT
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Post by jk on Feb 20, 2020 12:49:36 GMT
A harmonica doesn't have to be prominent to make a big impact. I love the barely audible echo-laden harp on Bob Marley and The Wailers' "Talkin' Blues":
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Post by B.E. on Feb 20, 2020 20:26:33 GMT
A harmonica doesn't have to be prominent to make a big impact. I love the barely audible echo-laden harp on Bob Marley and The Wailers' "Talkin' Blues" Very cool, jk, and so true! Fortunately, I was hooked up to my good speakers when I listened to this. The harmonica is there throughout, but tucked in. Nice touch. About five years ago I made a career-spanning 37-song Bob Marley playlist. This one made the cut!
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Feb 25, 2020 14:34:41 GMT
David Johansen would occasionally break out the harmonica with the New York Dolls. His most prominent use of harmonica was on "Don't You Start Me Talkin'". I'll try to start this video there, but if it fails the song starts at 13:00. This is one the Dolls' better performances and it's worth it checking out the whole set.
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