Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Product Description
Charlie Musselwhite seemed destined to be a bluesman. Born in Mississippi, the cradle of the blues, in 1944, Charlie moved to Memphis at an early age and became immersed in the city's diverse musical culture. He went to school with Johnny Cash's brother, Tommy, lived down the road from rockabilly legends Johnny Burnette and Slim Rhodes and went to parties hosted by the "King of Rock 'N' Roll," Elvis Presley. After recording three albums for Vanguard, Charlie moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he still lives. Over the next two decades, he recorded for numerous labels. Blind Pig has reissued one classic album that captured Charlie in one of his most creative periods, The Harmonica According To Charlie Musselwhite. This material has never before appeared on compact disc.
Product Description
CD ...Charlie Musselwhite
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By G. Pye
Format:Audio CD
Charlie Musselwhite knows a thing or two about the "Fast life blues", a self penned song that appears on this 1978 collection. Honing his art of articulate, warm and accurate harp playing in the blues clubs of Chicago afforded him plenty of opportunity to indulge in several of your average bluesman personal entertainments. "Fast life blues" sees Charlie ending up in the detox hospital, half expecting to see any of his mates and colleagues, reflecting sadly that he has the right to sing such a cautionary song. "The Harmonica According to Charlie Musselwhite" is an album of world weary confessions and sleazy instrumentals in which the man himself emerges a little older, and wiser but his energy and passion for the blues remains undimned. His harmonica playing is a masterclass in how to mike up the instrument with no hint of gimmick or artifice. "Harpin' on a riff" is a furious opening instrumental, which brilliantly melds country and urban blues stylings around the riff of the title, anchored in bronco buckin' r&b. "Run here mama" is slow and lascivious, Charlie urges his "mama" to roll on "your side babe/and raise your knees". "Pistol in your face" is the spiteful cowboy side of Charlie, his harp snorting like a mean horse. Musselwhite's singing voice is rather restricted but has at times growling plaintiveness when it matters and is seductive in the more moody sections. Although he's not as rounded in his eclecticism as in his later, more mature and sober middle age, this is a gutsy and tight little album. Also recommended for the jangly, slightly drunken patchwork of guitars courtesy of Stefan Grossman and Sam Taylor.
By K. Morgan
Format:Audio CD
The description says that this CD comes with an instruction manual written by Charlie himself. But no manual was with the first CD sent by Amazon, nor was there one with the replacement CD. The CD without the manual is just a sample of Charlie's various styles and not worth the money at £12.99 (the cost I paid). However, fair play, Amazon are refunding the cost to me and that's why I give one star. But for not doing what it says on the tin - no stars.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is harmonica blowin' at it's best!
26 Nov 2004
By TheGrindre
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
I believe this man, Charlie Musselwhite, can blow the harp as no other can. The feeling and accuracy he applies is gut wrenchin'. If you like the blues harp than this CD will put chills up and down your spin. It does mine. It's definatly worth buyin'. I own it and it is one of my all time favorite blues CD's.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uncut Stuff
16 Dec 2001
By Steve Kraner
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
If you like blues - adding this to your collection is like adding some cayenne pepper. It's hot - it's spicy - very authentic blues. At first you might not want to sit down and listen to an hour of Charlie - just put it in the CD changer with something milder. I was in a cab and the driver was playing Musselwhite. He said, "It's pure emotion. Pain. As if he was bleeding from his mouth. Like an old black man on a street corner in a Mississippi Delta town - playing his heart out." If you're like me - it won't take long 'til you listen to it straight up.
6 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
I don't mean to harp on this...
4 April 2002
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
...but when it comes to blues harp, Mr.Musselwhite is my favorite. For music to drive your vehicle fast to*, "Harpin' on a Riff" is as good as it gets. Slow sad blues? "Blues All Night". In between? "Hard Times".
*be safe and courteous, mind you.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
