[jtwrace]

As the title asks.  Some real groovy stuff.  Whatcha got? 

[Kenneth Patchen]

Rock? Jazz? Blues?

What's your poison, sailor?

[J Fallows]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKnG_9q4crA

Wonderful musician.

[jtwrace]

Rock? Jazz? Blues?

What's your poison, sailor?

Yes!

[J Fallows]

And this,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBhoDaS5SKQ

[Kenneth Patchen]

Well, if it's open to all genres then this should be a long thread indeed. Just the Blues harp players could fill pages. I'll start with Paul Butterfield. His earlier work with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band has a rawness to it that I especially like, though it might not appeal to all. But recently I was playing the later Better Days and It All Comes Back recordings (with Geoff Muldaur joining Butterfield on vocals). These recordings are especially good. As an introduction, check out the cut Buried Alive and if that sound doesn't move you than the earlier work probably won't either.

But for me, it all began with Little Walter. There's a 'Best of' recording on the Chess label that I've practically worn out. If you were trying to learn the harp then you couldn't go wrong by filling your head with Little Walter and the 'Best of' would be a great place to start.

I don't want to hog the discussion so I'll stop for now.

[macrojack]

Sonny Boy Williamson. Sonny Terry. Stevie Wonder.

[stlrman]

I saw this guy live . Check out  Toots Thielmams
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toots_Thielemans
He is awsome!

[Kenneth Patchen]

If you like your poison on the country side of things, you'll want to check out Charlie McCoy who has played with Cash, Elvis and even Dylan.

Watch him switch out harps without missing a beat on his signature tune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUW4LYEJyks&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[srb]

I could name a hundred fantastic guitarists, pianists, saxophonists, etc., but I can't actually think of anybody else that can play the harmonica at the level of Toots Thielemans.  And he is still awesome in his 90s!

I've always loved the 1978 album he did with Bill Evans, "Affinity".

Steve

[decal]

Junior Wells

[stlrman]

Blues Traveler. Dude can really blow the harmonica!!!!
In fact this maybe the only rock band built around the harmonica .
I have seen them twice, and was blown away with Poppler's skills.

http://search.yahoo.com/mobile/s?rewrite=72&.tsrc=apple&first=1&p=blues+traveler+you+tube&pintl=en&pcarrier=AT%26T&pmcc=310&pmnc=410&fr=onesearch

[jtwrace]

Great stuff!  Keep 'em coming.   

[drummermitchell]

[dflee]

Try out Buddy Guy and Junior wells "Alone and Acoustic". Give me my walkin shoes is great.
Rod Piazza is really good and Room Full of Blues have some pretty good juice harp.

Don

[rockadanny]

For some kick-ass blowin' check these two out





Not the best audiophile quality, but awesome playing.

[rockadanny]

And more kick-ass harmonica blues, these guys from Detroit, with Wailin' Dale wailin' away to some terrific music

[rockadanny]

And for some nice, tasty, rockin' blues harmonica

[Chazro]

One of the greatest blues harmonica players alive today is Kim Wilson.  Used to be the lead singer with a band called the Fabulous Thunderbirds, which also featured Jimmy Vaughn, Stevie Ray's brother.  Kim's solo records are classic modern blues recordings.  I own 'Looking For Trouble' and 'Smokin' Joint' but my favorite, and IMO his best, would have to be 'Tigerman'!  A tremendous harp player!

[Devil Doc]

Any Folk period Bob Dylan. He has a unique technique in that he sucks more than he blows. He did this consciously to stand out. Most folks blow more than suck.

Doc