VARIOUS ARTISTS
Harmonica Blues Orgy (Random Chance)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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I like guitar-driven blues just fine, thank you. Give me the big fat sounds of a Gibson ES-335 or the smooth, crisp tone of a Fender Stratocaster any day of the week. Chicago-area bluesman Little Johnny once told me that he thought that the saxophone was the sexiest instrument alive, and a good horn section can sure get me to jump and shout. While these instruments take center stage in blues bands, there's no denying that the harmonica has a special place in the blues. Cosmik Debris readers know that I'm biased toward Chicago blues, and this tradition has included many fine harp players. Harmonica Blues Orgy is a celebration of Chicago blues, featuring Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Martin Lang, Little Arthur Duncan, and Alec "Easy Baby" Randle on 16 cuts that smoke and sizzle. While Willie "Big Eyes" Smith is perhaps better known as Muddy Waters' drummer, his first instrument was the harmonica. Martin Lang is a relative newcomer, but as a harp player in his early 30's, he'll carry the harp torch to new generations of blues fans. Little Arthur Duncan has Chicago's West Side in his blood, and his sessions captured at Famous Dave's are a treat. Alec "Easy Baby" Randle makes the harmonica tell the story, and I can't give higher praise than that. Fans of blues harmonica should pick up Harmonica Blues Orgy, an incredible release featuring four fine harp players.

Track List:

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith: Blues With A Feeling * Read Way Back * Hoodoo Man Blues * You're The One * Sugar Mama/Martin Lang: Martin Leaps In * Sad Sad Day * Pulaski Stomp * Ten-Hole Blues/Little Arthur Duncan: Leavin' In The Mornin' * Pretty Thing * Young Fashioned Ways/Alec "Easy Baby" Randle: Room 309 * Crazy Mixed Up World * Willie Mae * This Little Light of Mine

© 2003 - Eric Steiner