Other web Sites
Harmonica Blues  Harmonica Amps
Harmonica Links Harmonica Pages
• Archives Home
• Years
 · 1992
 · 1993
 · 1994
 · 1995
 · 1996
 · 1997 		 · 1998
 · 1999
 · 2000
 · 2001
 · 2002
 · 2003
 
Web HarpL
Ebay Searches:
Amps:
Microphones:
Effects:
Harmonicas and Gear:
Harmonica Music and Instruction:

 

 

Harp-L Archives

[Previous Message] [Next Message]
[Previous in Thread] [Next in Thread]
[Start of Thread] [End of Thread]

From: Mike Curtis
Date: Wed, 30 Oct 1996 15:06:46 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: Easy

On Wed, 30 Oct 1996, pubdef wrote:

> There has been some discussion lately about what harmonica
> recordings a person might start with. In the blues area I have to
> reccomend "Blues Masters -The Essential Blues Collection" Volume
> 4 "Harmonica Classics". I can't quit playing this disc. It begins
> with Juke and ends with Christo Redemptor and has sixteen other
> artists between that give a great picture of the blues harmonica -
> heavy on amplified harp. Rhino R2 71124 .

It's an excellent CD. I also like most of the stuff on it.

> Cut 12 is Big Walter Horton playing "Easy". In which the
> warbling "vibrato" that he flows into and out of is astounding.
> Question - how did he get it? Is it in any way electronic or
> all technique? Do my ears deceive, or is he also playing octives
> here and there through the piece?

Other than the mic and overdriven amp, no electronic gimmickry here. They
didn't have much back then, other than reverb and tape delay. Big Walter
is playing through an overdriven amp, but that's the only effect I hear on
it. The rest is all Big Walter, and his famous "Big Shakey" headshake
trills. The big, thick vibrato is characteristic of a masterful and well
controlled throat vibrato. I also hear diaphragm vibrato as well - it's
more subtle and not "Warbly" like throat vibrato - and it works on
nonbendable notes. Off hand, I don't recall any octave work on that cut,
nor much if any on any of BWs tunes off hand.


-- IronMan Mike Curtis
New Cassette available - email for details