Blues Harp & La Altalaya Almansa

I love the blues and my second favorite blues instrument next to the guitar is the harp. So tonight, I’ve assembled some of the great harpists, many of whom are probably unknown to the average listener. I first heard Corky Siegel back in 1969 with the Siegel-Schwall blues band at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. He’s always been one of my favorites as was Junior Wells. Don’t miss John Popper’s (Blues Traveler) duel with Steve Vai. It’s unique.  Hope you enjoy these guys.

Paul Butterfield:

Born in Chicago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyLh7-MDJZU

Why do people act like that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS_x1A4LXCM

Slowdown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4GNci5koi8 

Corky Siegel

Hey Billie Jean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRchJ40rLdE

Imagination: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf5Mh7WYkpo

Twisted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvNAkQhlbb8

John Mayall

Room to move: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ASnbv_ZsWY

Travelin man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0JBsn3BOVE

Parchment Farm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vKGluBbhro&list=PLCA7272FC719AE0DD

James Cotton

Slow Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBeuco0PgJs

Easy lovin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-_xVd1KuHs

That’s all right: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC_3gJ3Z1m4

Big Walter Horton:

Blues Harp Shuffle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQfEZd9t5YU

What’s on your mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on5EMdm5_2k

Trouble in mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDfngVVh8d8

Carey Bell:

Last Night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxczDEpNZeI

When I get drunk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wVpQIyUaJE

Everything’s gonna be all right: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB_HI0fpn68

Dana Dixon:

Crazy Maise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0_Ly__GHZo

Little Walter comes to town: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgilN4Fzolo

John Popper

Dueling with Steve Vai: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGm0M2ztEWg

Play me something sweet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYH2dL2t7zw

Run Around: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQl9GZJLHos

Hook: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLeT252ZQRI

Junior Wells

Hoodoo Man Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47djAb6jVJk

Messin with the kid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWTieCjUhVw

Mystery Train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwggMtbx_C4

Trouble no more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNY1ffQj7ng

Montreux 1974: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUZj8O2qgxM

For blues harp, I suggest a hearty red like the 2010 La Altalaya Almansa Old Vines Veilles Vigne ($14.00) from Spain. The wine, 85% Garnacha, 15% Monastrell, is inky purple and opens with aromas of black raspberries and plums. This is a powerful wine with a mouth full of black raspberry pie, smoky oak, and balanced tannins. The blues is often accompanied by good barbecue and this wine would compliment it perfectly. Enjoy!

Cheers! 

Wes Montgomery & Cooper Mountain Pinot Noir

John Leslie “Wes” Montgomery was born on March 6, 1923 in Indianapolis IN. He’s one of my favorite jazz guitarists and was a superb improviser. Wes learned to play the guitar by studying Charlie Christian and playing his music by ear. Like several other jazz greats, he never played with a pick but used his thumb instead. You hear a lot of his influence in the styles of countless guitarists today, especially when they use his technique of playing octaves while soloing.

From 1948 to 1950 he toured with the outstanding vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, but returned to Naptown (Indianapolis for those of you not familiar with its nickname) where he joined up with his brother Monk (bass) and Buddy (vibes) and began recording for the Pacific Jazz label. He began to move away from straight jazz and crossed over to a more pop/jazz style where he became immensely popular. In 1966 he won a Grammy Award for “Best Instrumental Jazz Performance. He won his second Grammy Award in 1969 in the same category. Unfortunately, he wasn’t around to receive it, because at the height of his career on June 15, 1968, he died of a heart attack.

Montgomery was a jazz and guitar giant who left a legacy of style that is copied by practically every virtuoso guitarist today.

Round Midnight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOm17yw__6U

Impressions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQi48T4YWh4

Bumpin on Sunset: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqn3PF_DcSg

Windy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBGZgyl72_g

A day in the life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ooeMXnPuIg

West coast blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0sipEKhIhc

Round Midnight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pbp2FhdKyg

Twisted Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVVhJkeCF04

California dreaming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMm1X2sBJVk

All the things you are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyVjDHaBPAc

The days of wine & roses: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JadIhIihTFw

The Joker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXpOjTbVif4

Live in concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLWlqBH9nrU

The elegance of Wes Montgomery’s playing calls for an equally elegant wine, so I suggest a 2010 Cooper Mountain Reserve Pinot Noir ($23.00 from Shaw’s off Copley Place in Boston). My wife and I enjoyed a bottle as we relaxed in our hotel room after hearing my son’s successful defense of his doctoral thesis at Harvard Med. Now there are two Dr. Olives in the family. The Cooper Mountain Pinot has subtle aromas of bright cherries and black tea. Likewise the palate is full of tart cherry joined by nuances of black raspberry, nice acidity and light tannins. It’s quite dry and refreshing and perfect for the occasion because the weather in Boston was unseasonably warm. It’s perfect for listening to the music of a musical giant like Wes.

Cheers!