Customer Reviews

Blues with a Feeling: The Little Walter Story

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Those of us into blues harmonica know that Little Walter is the father of this musical genre. Although he was not necessarily the first to put harp to mic to amplifier (I believe Snooky Pryor was many years before), Little Water undoubtedly revolutionized how amplified blues harp was played, then and now. He turned the harmonica - a simple pocket instrument that many musicians didn't take seriously - into a musical force that Muddy Waters pianist Otis Spann called "the mother of the band." As a budding harp player, I do not consider any band a true BLUES BAND if it doesn't have a harmonica player at the forefront (as opposed to the background). We who follow blues music have Marion "Little Walter" Jacobs to thank for that.

This book is a must-have for any and all blues harmonica enthusiasts. As with Robert Gordon's recent Muddy Waters bio "Can't Be Satisfied," the authors of "Blues With A Feeling" lay out in brilliant detail, from painstaking research and interviews with family, friends and associates, Walter's life in ways many had never been privy to. Just as his musical ability made him famous, his quick temper, heavy drinking and overall reckless lifestyle, unfortunately, led to his eventual, yet far too early demise.

If you really want to understand the man, myth, icon, and human being that was, is and will always be Little Walter, then buy this book.

Whether you are familiar with Little Walter's wonderful music, or not this is a great book that will make any reader appreciate Little Walter even more. For a treat, listen to the songs described in the book as you read. The authors point out fascinating insights on many songs, including how Little Walter changed harmonicas and where in each song he changed them. They even explain what keys each harmonica was in. Little Walter deliberately changed harmonicas in mid song to make his records harder for other harp players to copy. Even if you don't play the harmonica, just listen to each song as the authors talk about it and be amazed at how brilliant Walter was.

I have been a fan of, and musically influenced by, Tony Glover and his partners Dave Ray and John Koerner since the mid-sixties. I am also an avid reader of biographies of musicians. I also have a pretty good collection of Little Walter vinyl and have anxiously awaited this book since I first heard about it being in the works.

Talk to a blues fan and Little Walter is usually the first name you will hear mentioned when harp players are discussed. He is, as the book says, to blues harp what Jimi Hendrix was to the electric guitar. But precious little has been revealed about the man himself besides what his unique and innovative music could tell us. This book rectifies that in an outstanding manner.

From the beginning it is obvious that this subject has been painstakingly researched by authors who love the blues and blues people. The book contains almost more names and connections in the weaving and intertwining of the musicians and their music than one can readily digest. It sent me to my record collection dozens of times resulting in new revelations as I listened with a fresh perspective.

One of the finest musical biographies I have read. I could smell the 'fragrance' of the streets, feel the pounding of feet in the clubs, hear the grittiness of the little tube amps, and feel the joy and desperation of the musicians.

A terrific must-read for anyone who loves the blues.
And some great photos too!

This book was somewhat depressing but only because I was struck with the sadness of Little Walter's wasted talent as his life spiraled downwards as a result of alcoholism. The overall experience (of reading the book) was a joy--very informative and fascinating, particularly since I play blues harmonica and am (now even more than ever) a Little Walter fanatic! I am so grateful that these 3 authors saw fit to write such a book. And, in response to a prior review decrying the detail--to the contrary, the detail is what makes the book all that much more fascinating and satisfying to read: it gives you the real sense of what it was like to be at a CHess recording session in the fifties.

The amount of newly uncovered research (and photos) in this biography of the most important blues harp player ever is astounding. Little Walter, for all of his fame in the blues field, was somewhat of a shadowy figure when it came to the facts of his life. No more. This richly detailed portrait leaves no stone unturned, no aspect of his life unexamined, all without ever falling into the trap of being a gushing fan tribute. An outstanding introduction to the man and his music, and long time fans of Little Walter and the blues in general will find themselves returning to this book over time just to reimmerse in the world of the blues.

Other reviwers have said to put on some Little Walter music while reading this book to hear it in a whole new light. I second the motion!

Until Little Walter started blowing, blues harp (harmonica) was little more than a child's toy: a cheap, portable method for making folk music, but more like a kazoo than a serious instrument. Little Walter revolutionized a musicians approach to the harmonica by playing it like a saxophone. Suddenly, this $2 band instrument could play full, rich swinging solos and improvisation. In this very readable text, the authors show that Walter was every bit the innovator on his instrument that Jimi Hendrix and Charlie Parker were to theirs: every single blues harp player since has shown his influence. Unfortunately, the authors also uncovered Walters dark side: his quick temper, his total lack of business sense, and the numerous backstreet brawls that shortened his life. Most important, they guide the reader through his songs as they are recorded, take by take, and show Walters consummate artistry as he continues a neverending search for even newer and more innovative sounds. A must-read for blues fans in general and fans of blues harmonica in particular.

I grew up in Memphis TN not too far a city known for its blues. The little Walter story reminded me of what life was like in the pre civil rights South. The book also shows us how important the blues are to American culture. The Little Walter story is a must for anyone with even the slightest interest in American music.

I remember Little Walters music,but had forgotten who he was until I saw the movie Cadillac Records. I love his music and remember it as a little girl growing up."The Little Walter Story" was worth the price. I wanted to know more about the person and the book helped with that.

Remarkable job by a trio of authors who really did their homework. I read it when it was first published and have gone back to it many, many times since for reference. I'm actually in the middle of reading it again in its entirety, something I very rarely do with any other book. If you're looking for insights and the scoop on the great Walter Jacobs, look no further. Buy this book now, blues people.

I have been a Little Walter fan for many years. It's apparent that Tony Glover and his co-authors are, too. They have done a wonderful job of researching Walter's life and telling his story. I also learned a lot about Walter's contemporaries, like Jimmy Rogers and Muddy Waters (to name but a few). And, I have new respect for Leonard Chess, who helped create the Chicago blues sound, and who nurtured those who played it. The discography at the end of the book was very useful to me.

What would make the book better? It would be an accompanying boxed set of CDs with most of the tracks listed in the discography. I have put together my own set of about 50 of them.

Congratulations to the authors.