Customer Reviews

Inspiration: 22 Harmonica Performances

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fine, budgeted anthology of the varying heroes of the harmonica. Unlike most such anthologies, the Blues and country music are not all that's here. Most of the big names familiar to hardocre harmonicists, such as pioneers Lou Adler, Borrah Manckevitch, and Deford Bailey are here as well as more recent stalwarts as Little Walter Jacobs, James Cotton, Toots Thielemans, and Stevie Wonder (here performing "Alfie' from the "Eivets Rednow" album). All major harmonica styles are covered here, and it's a good introduction to the musical diverity and possiblilities of this one-neglected instrument. Harmonicists will treasure this, and it will be an ejoyable listen to the casual fan. Oh yeah, play "Moody" on this CD after a hard day at work and you will have the exact opposite mood that the title of this song indicates.

What a collection! It covers about every genre of
harp you could imagine (jazz, Chicago blues,
Country blues, Brazilian, straight country, rock,
Irish, harmonica group, standards etc.) featuring
both chromatic, diatonic (and some excellent
diatonic being played chromatically).

Excellent examples of the many styles, from many of
the greats of the instrument (some of whom I'd
never heard of). This single CD covers so much
musical ground it's truly amazing -- and a true
inspiration to any harp player who respects the
instrument.

J.J. really outdid himself in finding fabulous
examples of truly great harmonica performances
demonstrating the range and depth of the
instrument. The fidelity is excellent. Thoroughly
enjoyable and expansive. Highly recommended.

Thank you J.J.!! It was obviously a labor of love.

The music on this disc is all very good. The order of play leaves something to be desired but it is a good collection of harmonica music.

I ordered this CD, Inspiration: 22 Harmonica Performances because it has what seems to be a good assortment of several styles of Harmonica playing: Blues, Rock, Jazz, Folk. I am otherwise very knowledgeable about these styles of music in general. I listen regularly to many styles of music, though usually with their more commonly used instruments such as guitar, bass, drums, piano, organ, violin, saxophone, and trumpet, etc. (Yes, the harmonica is commonly used in Blues, Rock, and to a lessor extent, Folk.) I also play harp (harmonica) a little myself. After listening to this CD I can see that the presented examples of Jazz harmonica are just not "my thing." After the first couple "jazz harp" (Chromatic Harmonica most likely), songs, I got bored with the Jazz material. The cause is with my taste, the CD's examples are all representative for the specific sub-styles of music. Academically I might give this CD **** (four stars), but the Jazz just left me emotionally flat. In general I love Jazz music, but obviously not in the Jazz sub-genera played in the harmonica pieces. I might have enjoyed it more if there were Jazz examples of BeBop, Modal, or Fusion with harmonica. Of course, also I might be biased as I was previously familiar with most of the Blues and Rock examples. It is still a good CD for its intended purpose, presenting a compilation of different harmonica playing styles. Also there are few alternatives to this CD out there for such a compilation as most compilations are style specific.

- Mike