Customer Reviews

Harpin' The Blues

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4 star:		(2)
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Had I known before hand that this CD contains only 30 minutes of music, I might not have bought it. But now that I own it I'm not about to give it up! McCoy delivers! This is a concept album: 'the story of the blues,' with narration by McCoy, aimed at the mass country music market. This audience probably doesn't buy many instrumental albums and McCoy has to win them over while dealing with the inherent limitations of the diatonic harmonica. He succeeds perfectly, in my book.
McCoy is the master of the single-note line. His attack, vibrato and intonation are flawless (listen to the way he nails those major sevenths and seconds! -- not an easy task in cross harp position). Some great cuts here: Hank Williams' 'Lovesick Blues, Willie Nelson's 'Night Life' (check out McCoy's glissandi) and his own "Tribute to Little Walter." McCoy gives credit where it's due and calls this an "arrangement" of licks he learned from Walter (which shows a lot more integrity than that of a whole lot of harp players out there do). Yet McCoy is his own man even here; the piece remains a tribute to L.W., not a slavish imitation. And if you think you don't want to hear yet another version of 'St. Louis Blues,' check out McCoy's renditon. Again, first rate blues playing by a master! But enouogh hyperbole. Buy it!

Charlie McCoy is the best harmonica player I've ever heard. He usually play countrymusic but this record shows how close he is to the blues. One of his favourites was Little Walter and the fifth track on this record is a tribute to Little Walter. This track is, in my opinion, the best track on this record and it really wants you to practise more on the harmonica. Charlies versions of Basin Street Blues and St.Louis Blues are superb. This record shows that you can play bluesharp so that every single note is heard. If you play the harmonica, or if you don't, - buy this record!

I remember listening to this album in an Alaskan bar in the 1970s and have been looking for it ever since.... I finally found it here on Amazon and man, am I glad I did. It is the quintisential "laid back" blues harp album and it goes down well as background soundtrack playing for an evening of lively drinking with friends.... Perfect for a party of Baby Boomers.