Album Description
The harmonica is as synonymous with the blues as the guitar. Indeed in many ways it's more so, as way back in the 20's, when blues music was first starting to be recorded, a harp was a far cheaper instrument to own and maintain than even the cheapest guitar. This compilation traces the history of blues harmonica, from its earliest-recorded exponents - men like DeFord Bailey, Jaybird Coleman, Noah Lewis and The Memphis Jug Band. - to the men who keep the flame alive today such as Snooky Pryor, Charlie Musselwhite and John Mayall. Disc 1 looks at artists like Sonny Terry, Blind Boy Fuller and Sonny Boy Williamson. Disc 2 checks out the mid-40's to the early 50s during which the likes of Snooky Pryor and Little Walter had begun amplifing the harp. Disc 3 features the new breed of harp players including Charlie Musselwhite, Paul Lamb and John Mayall.