Larry Adler had elevated the harmonica to virtuoso status on the concert stage in the 1930s, only to have it bulldozed by the vaudeville slapstick of the Harmonica Rascals and the cartoon cliché of the jailhouse blues man.
Harmonica virtuoso “Little Walter” Jacobs, was a key contributor to blues men Jimmy Rogers and Muddy Waters. Both as a sideman and bandleader, Little Walter revolutionized the sound of blues harmonica through amplification, clasping a mike to the harp as he played.
In the 1950s, rock 'n' roll featured a honking saxophone.
In the mid-60s, when Boy-Bands began to define rock 'n' roll, the guitar became the driving force.
.
But then, one musical instrument, once considered “old school” square, gained newfound popularity –
the harmonica.
Now, a generation later, artists as diverse as Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Mickey Raphael (with Willie Nelson) made the mouth organ illustrative of the counter culture.
The harmonica was the attention-grabber that elevated Taylor Hicks to American Idol winner in 2006.
Bob Dylan takes full credit, saying "The Harmonica is the world’s best-selling musical instrument. You’re welcome.”
The "mouth-organ" could be slipped into your hip pocket; the Hammond organ, on the other hand, required a U-Haul and four Teamsters.
You are listening to: "Blues For Walter"
Dennis Gruenling & Steve Guyger - 2008 BackBender Records
Jerry Murad's Harmonicats enjoyed a #1 hit in 1947 with "Peg O' My Heart."
Johnny Puleo and the Harmonica Rascals became national favorites from their many appearances on Ed Sullivan and other TV variety shows of the 50s and 60s.
Larry Adler preferred to say he played the “mouth-organ. " Adler's repertoire ranged from the American legends Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, to the classical masterpieces of Beethoven and Ravel.
His lively anecdotes range from the heyday of Hollywood to Hitler's balcony, where in 1945 he played the Battle Hymn of the Republic, while Ingrid Bergman recited the Gettysburg Address.
In his album "Adler Live 97," that moment is recreated, thanks to a recording of Ingrid Bergman's voice, and part of Rhapsody In Blue, featuring a piano roll transcription of George Gershwin himself at the keyboard!
Possibly the best harmonica player on the scene today is New Jersey based Dennis Gruenling. His new CD offers a tribute to Little Walter, his hero and main influence. Little Walter, the blues singer, harmonica player, and guitarist died in 1968, at age 37. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
Dennis
Gruenling
For this release, Gruenling landed Fabulous Thunderbirds head-honcho Kim Wilson, the equally tone-heavy Steve Guyger, and the quite impressive Rick Estrin, as well as using his own bandmates. Gruenling raises goosebumps with solos that have passion and a simple tone to die for.
Highlights include instrumentals "That's It" and "Hot Shot," the infectious "One Of These Mornings" and raw and raunchy "Temperature." Little Walter has influenced all of these musicians, and all have done him justice and them some, with this remarkable release.
Dennis Grueling website www.dennisgruenling
Harmonica Rascals
1951 Harconica Medley
Introduced by Jack Paar
Blues Jammin' after dark
performed by Bharath and his Rhythm Four
A brief intro about blues harmonicat.Little Walter
Jerry Murad's Harmonicats perform
their 1947 # 1 Hit, "Peg O'My Heart"
Taylor Hicks, Mickey Raphael
John Popper, Jam 2006
Willie Nelson and Mickey Raphael on Harmonica "Whiskey River" 1974 Willie's 2nd Annual 4th of July Picnic, TX
Toots Thielemans and Stevie Wonder,
Stockholm (Sweden) - "Bluesette"
Quincy Jones & Toots Thielemans
"Eyes of Love" Montreux 1992, 20 years
after they did the score for "The Getaway"
Dennis Gruenling & Steve Guyger
Mouth-Organ Selections from America's Greatest Harmonica Virtuosos
Above: Johnny Puleo & the Harmonica Rascals, Dennis Gruenling, John Lee Williamson, Toots
Thielemans, Mickey Raphael, Jerry Murad's Harmonicats Opposite: Little Walter Jacobs, "Little" Stevie Wonder, John Lee Williamson, and George 'Harmonica' Smith.
This page was last updated: February 19, 2009
John Sebastian
(Founding member and songwriter for the Lovin' Spoonful)
has published a popular instructional book:
John Sebastian Teaches Blues Harmonica for Beginners, as well as a teching DVD
Unknown Harmonica Player at Carnegie Hall
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