DATE: Mon, 01 Aug 1994 10:23:28 CDT From: "Steven D. Levine" Subject: Blues Harp Weekend
I saw several great shows last week and this past weekend, and there are more coming. All of the shows were at Tornado Alley, in Wheaton, Amryland (one of my favorite clubs).
Thursday was Billy Boy Arnold with Bob Margolin. He was great, but I only caught one set. I think he was doing the second and fourth sets and I couldn't stay out too late to catch his second set. He looked younger than Margolin! He did some of his early hits ("I Wish You Would" and "I ain't got you" which he claimed to have written). And he did a nice version of "Baby Please Don't Go" which reminded me of an amplified Sonny Boy I. I'm now the proud owner of a copy of Mississippi Saxaphone with Billy Boy on the cover, signed by him.
Saturday was Sugar Blue. His style is not my favorite, but every harp player should check him out at least once. He played through his Mesa Boogie (the one Keith Richards gave him) and I think an Astatic mic. The mic was wireless and he was walking all around the club playing. The only things that annoyed me were the volume (the band was LOUD!!!) and some of the ultra funky arrangements. I'm more into the down home, traditional harp sound.
The best show of the weekend was the James Harman band. It was the first time I saw him and he was just incredible. He could make it just as a singer but he's an incedible harp player as well. He did a lot from his latest album "Cards on the Table." One thing I like about his recordings is that he is a little reserved and doesn't overplay. He contrasted that live - he didn't overplay, but he got away with playing some very flashy stuff that would sound overdone by a less experienced or controlled player. He's a really nice guy too. He hung out with audience members and talked and signed photos after the show was over. I talked harps, amps and harp playing with him for a while - he's a real techie when it comes to equipment. He told the audience to come out to party with him Monday night at the Nighthawks show (also at Tornado Alley). So I'll be back there tonigt!
And I have a free pass for the Mark Hummel show on Thursday and I think after that I'm going to take a break from that club for a while!
