Customer Reviews

Now You Can Talk About Me

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I played B3 on a Bluesway album George did back in the late 60`s. He played a powerful harp back then and he still had it on these sides. Although I never talked to Rod anymore after we did the sonny boy williamson side "Help Me" on that early album, it sure sounds like Rod did a nice job producing this, apparently George`s last effort. If you aspiring harp players out there check George out, you will learn how the old masters did it and did it right! It`s unfortunate george`s gone, but maybe, just maybe, he`ll become "discovered"- He`s sorely missed by the blues community.--Robert Schedel

George "Harmonica" Smith is one of the more influential of the great Chicago Blues harmonica players. After playing with Muddy Waters for a while, he made his way west and finally ended up in California where he influenced an ntire generation of young Blues harmonica players, including Kim Wilson, Rod Piazza,William Clarke and James Harman.

This collection of recordings by George Smith is an excellent example of why harmonica players flocked to him. It is a sampling of recordings that he made in his later years and includes some great Chicago Blues as well as a few surprises like "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" and "Peg O My Heart". The playing and the singing are outstanding. the recordings are raw, but a true joy to listen to.

If you're curious as to where a great deal of the California Blues harmonica players learned to play, then I definitely recommend that you give this CD a whirl.

For us lovers of the Blues harp (especially of the chromatic variety)this CD is a must.

george harmonica smith was probably the best blues chromatic harmonica player of all time. his style was great; he was a good singer. it is sad that he never recorded with muddy waters.

NOT ONLY THE BEST BLUES SINGER IN MY EYES, THE BEST HARMONICA PLAYER PERIOD. EVER

EVER.

This CD features 5 hard to find tracks from his Nat McCoy Recordings in the early 60's with the remaining 9 tracks from his last recording session in 1982 backed by Rod Piazza's Mighty Flyers featuring Jnior Watson.

George is a Monster on the Chromatic Harmonica and influenced countless harp players especially the late William Clarke nnd Rod Piazza.

There are some suprises here also with two tracks with Doug McLeod Peg of My Heart and I left my Heart showing his great technique on Chromatic.

Junior Watson also plays some great Arch Top Guitar backing George and the Piazza Tracks are very tasteful.

I play the harmonica myself and Find Georges Tone,Attack and Technique second to none.

Highly Recommended.

Kyle Scott

New Zealand.

one of the best blues harp record i listen to in many years!
george harmonica smith really blows out his heart in these tracks; a must have record for all blues fans and harp players

What a great CD! I was reading another review on George, the writer should know he did record with Muddy Waters on (The Lost Tapes) CD. You will like this too, and there is some great footage of him on DVD with Muddy Waters. This is top notch it's called (Muddy Waters In Concert 1971), and also features George doing some of the vocals. What a treat it is to see him live, this is the only footage I know of. This CD is a good example of his music, there is very little available from him solo.

He plays well, but nothing that sends chills like the legends. Not a Musselwhite, Walter, Lester, Reed, Pryor. He probably was OK in his day, but nothing great. Buy a Jason Ricci and crank it up.