Blues Masters - v04 - Harmonica Classics [mp3 128][h33t][schon55]

Blues Masters - v04 - Harmonica Classics

Audio CD (November 10, 1992)

Original Release Date: November 10, 1992

Label: Rhino / Wea

Bitrate: 128 kbps



Rhino's "Blues Masters" series is the best of its kind, and while this one disc obviously only scratches the surface of blues harmonica playing, it does feature a lot of good music.



Most longtime blues fans will own the lion's share of this material already, but "Harmonica Classics" also features several lesser-known songs like Lazy Lester's superbly groovy "Sugar Coated Love", "Boogie Twist" by Snooky Pryor, and "Easy" by the greatest blues harmonica player of them all, the great Walter Horton (that's the song credited to "Jimmy and Walter").



Billy Boy Arnold is here, and Jimmy Reed is here, doing the loping "Ends And Odds" in his lazy, minimalistic style. Other highlights include Junior Wells' tough "Messin' With The Kid" and Sonny Boy Williamson (II)'s "Help Me".



These songs don't necessarily rank among the artists' very best, since they were chosen primarily for the harp playing, and that may be seen as a little bit of a drawback. But that's not to say that these songs are generally below par, however, and this collection does focus on blues harmonica after all. And there is some impressive instrumental prowess on display here, including the Fabulous Thunderbirds' lyrical "Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White", "Last Night" by George "Harmonica" Smith, and the one-armed John Wrencher's rendition "Take A Little Walk With Me".



As I said, this is not excactly the defintive word on blues harmonica, or on the artists represented here, but "Harmonica Classics" and its companion volume (excitingly titled "More Harmonica Classics") are still a fine purchase for casual and "mid-level" blues listeners. Lots of great music here. ~ Docendo Discimus



Blues Masters - v04 - Harmonica Classics

01 Ends and Odds - Jimmy Reed

02 Rocket 88 - Jimmy Cotton Blues Quartet

03 Help Me - Sonny Boy Williamson

04 Messin' With The Kid - Junior Wells

05 Blues With A Feeling - Butterfield Blues Band

06 Sugar Coated Love - Lazy Lester

07 I'll Be Around - Howlin' Wolf

08 I Was Fooled - Billy Boy Arnold

09 Take A Little Walk With Me - Big John Wrencher/Joe Carter

10 Easy - Jimmy And Walter

11 Boogie Twist - Snooky Pryor

12 Wolf Call Boogie - Hot Shot Love

13 Last Night - George 'Harmonica' Smith And The Chicago Blues Band

14 I Got Love If You Want It - Slim Harpo

15 Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - The Fabulous Thunderbirds

16 Christo Redemptor - Charlie Musselwhite