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10 Days Out (Blues from the Backroads)/ (CD/DVD)

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Harmonica Blues
by: Kenny Wayne Shepherd

January 23, 2007
This is an outstanding archival history of down-south backwoods blues, containing performances by legendary blues musicians, along with collaborations with Kennny Wayne Sheperd, Chris Layton and Tommmy Shannon
(both from Stevie Ray Vaunghn's "Double Trouble"). This is a 5 star classic blues documentary and performance DVD. It was named DVD of the year 2007, by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN. The performances were filmed throughout the south, on site at homes, front yards, BBQ's, a church and even a cemetary. The DVD was produced by Jerry Harrison, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and former member of the "Talking Heads".

It begins in New Orleans, with a performance of "Tina Marie" with Bryan Lee, and then a ... Read More:

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Hoodoo Man Blues

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Harmonica Blues
by: Junior Wells

June 10, 1993
There are fine reviews of this CD, some with historical background,. others, with an appreciative ear, most know better, esp. more than me.

I would only suggust that Jr. Wells, Buddy Guy, Jack Myers, oughta try to get reparations from Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Siegal-Schwall Band, Electric Flag, and all other Chicago imitative blues bands.

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His Best :(Little Walter)The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Harmonica Blues
by: Little Walter

June 17, 1997
Picture yourself in a crowded juke joint or blues bar on the southside of Chicago in the late '40's. Muddy Waters is about to play. He's already gone electric; I mean, he had to, to be heard over all the talking and yelling and what not. His harp player has about blown out a lung trying to be heard over all that din. Walter Jacobs has been doing a bit of experimenting himself, in an attempt to amplify the sound of that little instrument. Tonight he actually grabs the microphone off the stand, bumping it up close enough in his clasped hands to touch the harp. He cranks up the volume and starts to blow. The sound coming out of the amp is unlike anything anyone's ever heard. It's got a deep, heavy, honking, sexy wail, nothing at all like the unamplified ... Read More:

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His Best

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Harmonica Blues
by: Sonny Boy Williamson

May 20, 1997
I am amazed that this cost so little, but was SOOOOO good. Sonnny Boy II is (IMHO) the better of the Sonny Boys. A lot of people will justifiably rave about his skill on the harp, but do not let that distract you from his vocals. This performer has a tremendous voice.
Sonny Boy Williamson II is a complete blues package, musician and vocalist.

Although he is a polished performer, there is still a huge amount of emotion that comes through his work.

This recording is very clear and enjoyable, which is very good, considering the time and recording technology available when the originals were made. (No, it's not Alan Lomax recording in hotel rooms, but still . . . . .)

If you liked this, you might want to consider looking ... Read More:

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The Turning Point

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Harmonica Blues
by: John Mayall

October 30, 2001
good to hear again after all these years. the quality is great and the songs still sound as good as they did on first hearing.

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The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Harmonica Blues
by: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

October 25, 1990
Along with Earl Hooker's "The Moon Is Rising", this album is a Chicago Blues masterpiece. Though the lead singer and harmonica player is white, his singing is more than credible and his harmonica playing is excellent. Guitarist Michael Bloomfield plays some incendiary lead guitar, and was taken from us much too early. His death is a tragedy in the truest sense of the world. I recently viewed a video of him at one of the many folk festivals during the 1960s, perhaps Newport, talking about how his father is rich, his family is Jewish, he had a Bar Mitzvah, and how he'll never be able to play or sing like Son House. His admiration for the great Son House was more than obvious. Recently, rock guitar magazines have started to talk more about Bloomfield and his wonderful talents, ... Read More:

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The Alligator Records Christmas Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Harmonica Blues
by: Various Artists

October 06, 1992
This is a collection of Christmas songs by performers who recorded for Alligator Records in 1992. Alligator Records is a blues label, so all of these performers are blues musicians. These are very good Christmas blues songs. My personal favorite is "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'" by Tinsley Ellis, but the other songs are good, too. Fans of the blues will enjoy it.

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Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowouts 'Still Here And Gone' 1993-2007

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Harmonica Blues
by: Mark Hummel

October 21, 2008
This is a collection of Christmas songs by performers who recorded for Alligator Records in 1992. Alligator Records is a blues label, so all of these performers are blues musicians. These are very good Christmas blues songs. My personal favorite is "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'" by Tinsley Ellis, but the other songs are good, too. Fans of the blues will enjoy it.

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East-West

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Harmonica Blues
by: The Butterfield Blues Band

October 25, 1990
This recording contains what has to be the one of the greatest blues/rock songs of all time. The song is East West which contains some of the greatest music I've ever heard. It is a preview of what the bands later in the 60's will produce and remains one of the finest example of the extended guitar solo pieces.

At this time the Butterfield Blues Band had two of the best guitarist around, Elvin Bishop and (my favorite) Mike Bloomfield. They each take an extended solo, Elvin Bishop first. Elvin throws out a blazing fast mountain of notes. It is what happens next that makes this an unique experience. It is Mike Bloomfield's turn next, not with another show stopper solo, instead he pares back the music to the absolute minimum. His clear ringing notes lifts one from ... Read More:

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Good For What Ails You: Music of the Medicine Shows 1926-1937 (Digipak with 72-page booklet)

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Harmonica Blues
by: Pink Anderson, Gid Tanner, Gus Cannon, Emmett Miller, Charlie Poole, Dallas String Band, Grant Brothers, Uncle Dave Macon, Beans Hambone, Clarence Ashley

October 04, 2005
what a great compilation of pre-war old-timey music, including an informative booklet withlots of pictures. You will not find any of these recordings anywhere else so snatch this one up while it is still available. I don't want to get into the particulars of any one artist or song, 'cause they're all great and listened together in context makes it all that much greater.