Crucial Harmonica Blues [CD]

Sampler production by Bruce Iglauer and Bob DePugh
Packaging design by Kevin Niemiec
Carey Bell photo by Dave Leucinger

Tracks from Crucial Harmonica Blues appear on these albums:

1. Charlie Musselwhite
Signature
ALCD 4801
Charlie breaks new ground, mingling his amazing harp and down home voice with a killer horn section, plus his red hot touring band and a guest appearance by John Lee Hooker. A Grammy nominee. Released in 1991.

2. Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell
ALCD 4702
The late blues harmonica master and his finest pupil teamed up on record only once, for an album of simply amazing harp playing. From swinging shuffles to slow acoustic tunes, this is everything a blues harp fan could ask for. With veteran Eddie Taylor on guitar. Released in 1972.

3. Billy Boy Arnold
Back Where I Belong
ALCD 4815
The return of the legendary harmonica giant from the 1950s Chicago blues scene. This was Billy's first recording in many years and shows why he was ranked with Junior Wells and Little Walter. A vital recording by a bluesman who is anything but over the hill. Released in 1993.

4. Sonny Terry with Johnny Winter, Willie Dixon and Styve Homnick
Whoopin'
ALCD 4734
The master of country blues harmonica meets the super-hot guitarist and the great blues bassist in a terrific supersession produced by Johnny Winter. Sonny Terry never made another record like this, playing in a hard Delta style with an all-star band. Released
in 1984.

5. James Cotton, Junior Wells, Carey Bell and Billy Branch
Harp Attack!
ALCD 4790
Four of the world's greatest blues harp players meet head to head in a "blowdown" super-session. Tough, inventive harp plus an all-star band with Lucky Peterson. Essential for any harp fan. Released in 1990.

6. Delbert McClinton
Live From Austin
ALCD 4773
The only live album by the King of the Texas Roadhouses. From raw rockers to soul ballads, Delbert's tough, road-tested voice fronts a driving band including five horns. One of our best sellers ever. Released in 1989.

7. Cephas & Wiggins
Somebody Told The Truth
ALCD 4888
Rollicking acoustic blues and ragtime from the internationally famed masters of the Piedmont style, rich in soulful authenticity.Gorgeous guitar and harmonica duets fueled by musical passion and their intuitive feel for each other's playing. Released in 2002.

8. Little Charlie & The Nightcats
That's Big!
ALCD 4883
California's jump blues masters' eighth album of swinging blues songs full of street-smart humor and terrific musicianship. Wild guitar, fat harmonica, jumping grooves, great songwriting. Released in 2002.

9. James Cotton
High Compression
ALCD 4737
The Alligator debut of the king of high-powered blues and boogie harmonica, backed by two terrific bands - an all-star traditional blues band featuring Pinetop Perkins and Magic Slim, and his own funky touring group. Released in 1984.

10. Carey Bell
Deep Down
ALCD 4828
A master of the classic Chicago harmonica sound delivers the peak album of his life. A veteran of both Muddy Waters' and Willie Dixon's bands, Carey's deep blues soul can be heard in every lick. A great band including Lurrie Bell. Released in 1995.

11. Sugar Blue
Blue Blazes
ALCD 4819
The pyrotechnic harmonica genius who's recorded and toured with everyone from
Willie Dixon to The Rolling Stones. High-energy, cutting-edge harp tinged with jazz, funk and rock. A power-packed slice of tomorrow's blues. Released  in 1994. Available in Europe on Ruf Records.

12. William Clarke
Blowin' Like Hell
ALCD 4788
The late giant of West Coast blues harp, he learned from the legendary George "Harmonica" Smith and melded his huge harmonica tone with the swinging, jazzy California blues sound. Great songwriting, great vocals, fabulous harp. Released in 1990.