Customer Reviews

Down in the Mood Room

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Jerry Portnoy's harmonica playing is a national treasure.
His tone is liquid gold and should be enshrined somewhere inside the Smithsonian. This disk isn't about blues, jazz, or American standards; it is simply about fine, fine music.
Attention harp players! You must buy Down in the Mood Room but be prepared to listen with your mouth hangin open. If you love music - any kind - treat yourself and buy this CD now.

If you are an amateur harmonica player, this is an important album for you. There is much to learn from this album in technique, licks, etc. I've purchased Jerry Portnoy's Blues Harmonica Masterclass instructional and it is the best I have ever come across. This album shows Portnoy in full form and is the perfect compliment to the instructional or vice versa.

For most of you (who are not harmonica players), this album is also great listening. Exceptional musicianship brings life and vitality to every track. Jerry Portnoy definitely holds his own against a solid horn section (which could prove difficult for many harp players) and every note is effortless and precise. Portnoy is a master of his instrument and knows how to push it just enough to create the maximum effect while not appearing excessive. This skill and musical know-how makes this collection of tracks pristine, fulfilling and simply timeless.

Along with great versions of classic songs, Portnoy does a good job on his originals and they seem to fit perfectly into the sound and mood of the album.

I sure hope that this is not the last solo album we'll see from Jerry.....thanks for this great collection of music Mr. Portnoy!

If you like Sonny Terry,Little Walter,Big Walter......if you are in to modern Jump or blues this is a good CD to check out...Nothing Jerry does is bad it's All good

Woeful bad luck if you've not yet heard Jerry Portnoy! This is a master craftsman of not just blues harmonica, but of the hamonica as melodic paint brush. From the first cut, Doodlin' through the last soulful and somber self-inventory of Endless Road, you will not be able to stop listening, again and again.

Each cut consists of tasteful interplay between road-proven and well-honed sidemen and a harp wielded by an artist who crosses the spectrum from soft baby cries to laser sharp counterpointed perfect notes. My only advice for you is this: buy Down in the Mood Room and every other CD on which Jerry plays. You will not be disappointed!

A very talented harp player but not the style of music I was looking for.