H is for Harmonica Scorchers! [#389]

I started The Blues Room over 7 years ago to bring you episodes like this one! I need to play more Harmonica Scorchers! Anyways, heres a setlist of mainly modern harmonica masters to get you all excited about either picking up a harmonica or continuing to play one. Thanks to David Barrett for pointing out some of these players, I hadn't heard of a Jim Liban before - more from him coming in future shows! I'll let the experts strut their stuff. Enjoy!

Episode 389, 27 June 2013

1. Mark Hummel - Harp Shuffle

2. Buddy Guy and Junior Wells - Give Me My Coat and Shoes

3. Brandon Santini - Been So Blue

4. Rick Estrin - Don't Boss Me

5. Bob Corritore - 1815 West Roosevelt

6. Satan and Adam - I'm a Girl Watcher

7. Gary Smith - Minor Mambo

8. Jim Liban - All Corned Up

9. Jerry McCain - Honky Tonk

10. Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers - The Bounce

11. Paul deLay - Jimmy Jones

12. Curtis Salgado - El Gado Rumba Azul

Download link for this episode: 389

H is for More Harmonica Masterclass with David Barrett [#387]

Episode 387, 19 June 2013

Heres part two of my interview with David Barrett (harmonicamasterclass.com, schooloftheblues.com, blueshramonica.com). I've had great feedback regarding part one, and some much appreciated feedback while part two was going to air so thank you to everyone whos shown support for what I'm doing here. For me its a labour of love - I love what I'm doing and I'm doing what I love. Anyways, enough small talk, heres the questions and songs played for this episode. And big ups to Mark who answered last week's question correctly, he wins the new CD by Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, 'One Wrong Turn.' 

Question: You have rubbed shoulders with and had opportunity to play harmonica with some of the greatest modern harmonica players like Charlie Musselwhite, Lee Oskar, Rod Piazza and Kim Wilson and with great blues musicians like Jr. Watson, Rusty Zinn, Nick Moss and John Garcia, just to name a few. What have been some highlights for you meeting and performing with many of these great artists? What valuable lessons have you learnt from your experiences with these artists? 

As a teacher and instructor of blues harmonica, what seems to be the most common mistake or aspect about your students learning that keeps reoccurring? 

In your opinion, what bugs you most about harmonica players in live band situations, whats the biggest weakness or mistake harmonica players seem to make when playing with bands? 

In short, what makes you unhappy about harmonica players? 

1. Mitch Kashmar & Pontiax with William Clarke- Horn of Plenty

2. William Clarke - Goin Steady

Q: Musical ruts are where things don’t seem to flow or where the passion seems faint and most musicians find themselves in one every now and again, what advice can you give to those in musical ruts? 

What has worked best for you when trying to get out of a musical rut? 

3. Little Walter - Rocker

Q:  How has your harmonica playing changed over the years? 

4. Flávio Guimaraes with Peter Madcat - Muddys's Ukelele

Q: What would be your greatest strength when playing harmonica, and what would be the thing you’d most like to improve? 

5. David Barrett - LeftOvers

Q: I remember hearing Jerry Portnoy saying, in reference to those seeking the best amps and mics for harmonica playing, ‘rubbish in, rubbish out.’ Would you agree? 

How important is practicing and mastering your instrument? 

And how important is having the best equipment i.e. amp & mic? 

6. Muddy Waters/Jerry Portnoy - Jerry Portnoy's Boogie

9. Which living person do you most admire? 

Flávio Guimaraes with Joe Filisko - Joe's Reggae

"On This Day In Blues History" 

Q: What do you enjoy doing the most when you are not performing, teaching or working on your music? 

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . . ? 

Thank you David, in closing, if you could have one super power what would it be and why?

10. David Barrett and John Garcia - Don't Fight It

11. George Harmonica Smith - Blowing The blues

12. William Clarke and the Night Owls - Hittin' Heavy

13. Mitch Kashmar and the Pontiax - Petroleum Blues

Download link for this episode: 387

H is for Harmonica Masterclass with David Barrett [#386]

Episode 386, 12 June 2013

I interview David Barrett, one of my favorite harmonica teacher/performers in this ABCs of the Blues episode. A Grammy nominated blues harmonica player (for his work on John Lee Hooker Jr.’s album All Odds Against Me), this California Bay Area resident is also President of Harmonica Masterclass Company (harmonicamasterclass.com), Founder / Director of School Of The Blues (schooloftheblues.com), author of many instructional publications and CDs and band member and performer. He also has the website blueshramonica.com

I've listed the questions I put to David along with the music you'll hear mixed into the interview. Please check back to thebluesroom.blogspot.com for part two of this interview. Enjoy!

Question: Hi David, can you please introduce yourself and tell us just who ‘David Barrett’ is and where you’re from and tell about the first piece of music which really affected you?

1. David Barrett - Lick Train

2. Joe Seneca feat. Frank Frost & John Juke Logan on harmonicas - Willie Brown Blues (Crossroads soundtrack)

Q: Can you please tell us how your musical career began and how blues harmonica became a part of your life? You might like to share how certain individuals influenced you musically. I understand legend Gary Smith took you under his wing early on!! When I tell people I play blues harp they either mention Sonny Terry or Little Walter, some will even say, ‘oh cool, I love Bob Dylan!’ Tell us what style blues do you play on harmonica?

3. Mark Hummel introduces Gary Smith / Gary Smith - She's So Fine

4. Marion Jacobs aka Little Walter - Juke

Q: Can you briefly describe some of the other styles in context to yours so listeners can get an idea of the distinct differences, e.g. Country vs Chicago.

5. Memphis Jug Band - Cocaine Habit Blues

6. John Lee Williamson aka Sonny Boy Williamson 1 - Good Morning Little School Girl

‘On This Day In Blues History’ by PW Fenton.

7. Little Walter - You Better Watch Yourself

8. James Cotton - Cotton Crop Blues

9. Paul Butterfield Blues Band - All These Blues

10. William Clarke - Pinocchio Blues

11. Carlos Del Junco - Doodle It

Q: David you’re involved in many projects and have been from an early age. I’m not even sure where to begin or which to ask you about first, but would you mind telling us a bit about each of them? Please feel free to talk about any other projects or roles you have going on and in any order. To begin this section, listeners will hear David playing a song called, ‘Big Boys Jam’. Its from David’s instructional book and CD called ‘Building Harmonica Technique’ which is out on Mel Bay.

12. David Barrett - Big Boys Jam

13. David Barrett - Serious Fun

14. David Barrett - Chicago Style

Download link for this episode: 386

G is for (Blues) Guitarists from New Zealand [#385]

Photo Credit: Thomas Oliver Band 

Episode 385, 5 June 2013

Featured in this episode are blues guitarists from New Zealand. One hour is hardly enough time to showcase all the many great guitarists we have in NZ - we even went over our blues-hour by 20 minutes to bring you this selection! 

If you know of any other great NZ blues guitarists that I can feature in the next episode of 'Blues Guitarist of New Zealand' then please let me know! Enjoy!

1. Brilleaux - This Ain't Rock n Roll

2. Peri Kohu's Blues Busters - Queen Street Shuffle

3. Paul Garner Band - Hoochie Coochie Man

4. River Rockers - The Thrill Is Gone

5. Swamp Thing - Hot Potato

6. The Thomas Oliver Band - Baby I'll Play

7. Mike Brosnan - Slide Action

8. Chris Thompson - Let The Four Winds Blow

9. Mike Garner - When I Was A Boy

10. Blues Buffet - Blues Is My Business

11. Darcy Perry Band - Phoenix

12. The Flaming Mudcats - Double Ds

13. Darren Watson - A Desperate Man

14. Billy TK Jnr and The Groove shakers - Blues Benediction

Download link for this episode: 385

New addition: On This Day In Blues History

Nate has found a really cool website and project by PW Fenton out of  the USA. Its called Bluesland and it features 'On This Day In Blues History'. Basically, PW Fenton prepares daily audio snippets which feature something significant from the world of blues, he adds music, interesting facts and its always fresh and interesting to listen to. P-Dub, as he's also known, has kindly agreed to give Nate the corresponding audio for each night The Blues Room goes to air. Now you'll hear during each Blues Room episode a really cool 'On This Day In Blues History' snippet. Thanks P-Dub!!

http://bluesland.net/

Trevor Reeki Talks Blues With Nate [#384]

Episode 384, 29 May 2013

1. Bob Brozman - Pony Blues

2. Buddy Guy - Key Don't Fit

3. Jimi Hendrix - Red House

Interview with Trevor Reeki

4. Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Piney Brown Blues

5. Paul Ubana Jones - Blues With A Feeling [NZ]

6. Midge Marsden - Travellin' On [NZ]

7. John Mayall - Train to My Heart

8. Mike Brosman - She's Funny That Way [NZ]

Download link for this episode: 384

Trevor Reeki's list of who hes interviewed on his Radio New Zealand's National Radio show called Access All Areas over the past years is really impressive. Hes interviewed artists from the punk to funk, and rock to roll genres and so many in between. And when I asked him for an interview on this, my last show for New Zealand Music Month 2013, he accepted without hesitation. 

I guess you could say this is an 'interview with an interviewer.'

Those interviewed by Trevor include Buddy Guy, John Mayall, Bob Brozman, Gary Atkinson of Document Records, and Jack Holzman of Elektra Records just to name a few. Check out the rest of his interviews at the link above for a pleasant surprise, I'm sure you'll see many interesting artists you're familiar with and many you'll learn about for the first time. Enjoy!

F is for FOOD Blues [#383]

Episode 383, 22 May 2013

1. Cash Box Kings - Hot Biscuit Baby

2. Marcia Ball - Watermelon Time

3. Mitch Kashmar - Sugar sweet

4. Bernard 'Pretty' Prudie and Purdie's Powerhouse - Kidney Stew Blues

5. Bernard 'Pretty' Prudie and Purdie's Powerhouse - Breakfast With The Blues

6. Bernard 'Pretty' Prudie and Purdie's Powerhouse - A Little Soul Food

7. Brandon Santini - Fish Are Bitin'

8. Shemekia Copeland - Lemon Pie

9. Jimmy Morello - Sugar And Honey

10. Chris Jones and Steve Baker - Fast Food Restaurant Blues

Download link for this episode: 383

Those who know me know that I love food. So I couldn't resist hoovering around F related blues for another week because as far as I'm concerned F is for FOOD. This episode was inspired by taking another listen to a great CD that Rob Paparozzi sent me, its Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie's album called, Purdie Good Cookin'. Now these cats know how to cook up some F-in' nice jams! Enjoy!

F is for Females in the Blues [TBR#382]

Photo Credit Link

Episode 382, 15 May 2012

1. Koko Taylor - I'm A Woman

2. Tracey Nelson and Marcia Ball - Shoot My Baby

3. Shemikia Copeland - A Woman

4. Deanna Bogart - OK, I'll Play The Blues

5. James Cotton with Ruthie Foster - Wrapped Around My Heart

6. Paul Rishell and Annie Raines - Even Good Woman Have Bad

7. Sonia Bullot - Don't Get Around Much Anymore [NZ]

8. Annie Piper and Nicole Hart - Can't Let You Go

9. Annie Piper and Nicole Hart - Bad Side Bady

10. Annie Piper and Nicole Hart - One Good Man

11. Etta James - Do Right Woman, Do Right Man

Download link for this episode: 382

Females have a significant role in The Blues. Take a listen to any of these songs and you'll you what I'm talking about!! New tunes from some beautiful and very talented Blues Leaf Recording artists, Annie Piper and Nicole Hart. And a first time airing on The Blues Room of a local New Zealand female trumpet player, Sonia Bullot, nice stuff! Enjoy!

E is for Electric Blues Guitar [#381]

Episode 381, 8 May 2013

1. John lee Hooker - Gotta Boogie

2. T-Bone Walker - Through With Women

3. Muddy Waters - Can't Be Satisfied

4. Bo Diddley - Mumblin' Guitar

5. Hound Dog Taylor - Blue Guitar

6. Robert Cray Band - Won't Be Coming Home

7. Magic Slim and The Teardrops - Sunrise Blues

8. Billy TK Jnr and The Groove Shakers - G String Swing [NZ]

9. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Cold Shot

10. Duke Robillard - Stapled To The Chicken's Back

11. Joe Bonamassa - Look Over Yonder Wall

12. BB King - How Blue Can You Get?

Download link for this episode: 381

Choosing tracks for this episode was hard but heres what I came up with. Tracks had to feature a great Blues Guitarist as this episode is another in my ABCs of Blues series and we are up to the letter E.
E is for Electric Blues Guitar. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Robert Johnson

Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues singer and musician. His landmark recordings from 1936–37 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Johnson's shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend, including the Faustian myth that he sold his soul at a crossroads to achieve success. As an itinerant performer who played mostly on street corners, in juke joints, and at Saturday night dances, Johnson had little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime.

Johnson's records sold poorly during his lifetime. It was only after the reissue of his recordings in 1961 on the LP King of the Delta Blues Singers that his work reached a wider audience. Johnson is now recognized as a master of the blues, particularly of the Mississippi Delta blues style. He is credited by many rock musicians as an important influence; Eric Clapton has called Johnson "the most important blues singer that ever lived." Johnson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an "Early Influence" in their first induction ceremony in 1986. In 2003, David Fricke ranked Johnson fifth in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Read more about Robert Johnson: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HleLTn60BxE