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The CD exceeded my expectations as a learner harmonica player. Received in good order and on time.
You're damn right they do. James Cotton's "Superharp" remains one of the best harp-blowin' tunes ever, while fiery Carey Bell shows why he now reigns as best harpist/vocalist on "Lonesome Stranger".
Blues harp doesn't get any better than that. Under-rated Bell appropriately adorns the disc's cover.
Various Artists "Crucial Harmonica Blues"Alligator Records ALCD 115 Big Walter Horton and Carey Bell continue the protégé and mentor tradition on "Have Mercy". Experience it on "Broke and Hungry".
With one `whew', you will recognize the brown jug, country blues of Sonny Terry on "Sonny's Whoopin' The Doop". Junior Wells could combine funk, grease and sweat like no other.
Do these artists and songs qualify as Crucial Harmonica Blues. -- Tim Holek
Don't get me wrong, it's a pretty good collection, but crucial. I don't think so. It should be re-named "A pretty good collection of blues harmonica from a diverse group of cats, ancient and modern", but of course, the name's too long.
It is a great collection, that harmonica lovers will enjoy - BUT it's also a great CD to give someone not all that familiar with harmonica playing. There is enough variety on here for everone to find a style they love.
This CD starts out with an up tempo and rousing romp with Charlie Musselwhite's "Make My Getaway" and then moves on to a Harmonica Duet by Big Walter Horton and Carey Bell. As in this is a crucial series that every Blues fan should add to their CD collection. Alligator Records hit it right on the head when they named this series, "Crucial". The Gems just seem to roll out one after another from there. I bought this CD because I'm new to the Blues and wanted to find a few new artists to add to my collection. This CD introduced me to several artists that I have now added to my collection buy purchasing several other CDs. Among the notables on the CD are Legends like Billy Boy Arnold, Sonny Terry, Junior Wells, Delbert McClinton and James Cotton. I not only recommend this CD from the Crucial Blues series but all of them, especially for new comers to blues material.
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