Mark Hummel's Harmonica Party - Amplified Blues Harp from Chicago to the West Coast DVD

Mark Hummel's Harmonica Party - Amplified Blues Harp from Chicago to the West Coast video The definitive HIS BEST collects some of Sonny Boy Williamson's finest work from his tenure at Chess Records, a period widely conceded to be his most artistically fruitful. He's backed by a who's who of Chicago blues musicians, in particular the astonishingly metallic sounding two guitar team of Robert Lockwood and Luther Tucker, bassist/songwriter Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters' great pianist Otis Spann, and future Blues Brother Matt "Guitar" Murphy. Highlights are almost too numerous to mention, but don't miss "Fattening Frogs for Snakes," which features one of Williamson's most metaphorically interesting lyrics. The great harp workout "Bye Bye Bird" has here been thoughtfully remixed for stereo. This is part of Chess Records 50th Anniversary series. Personnel: Sonny Boy Williamson II (vocals, harmonica); Eugene Pierson, Jimmy Rogers , Luther Tucker, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Muddy Waters, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Buddy Guy (guitar); Jarrett Gibson, Donald Hankins (saxophone); Lafayette Leake, Otis Spann (piano); Clifton James, Fred Below, Al Duncan (drums). Audio Remasterer: Erick Labson. Audio Remixers: John Strother; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Author: Dick Shurman. Recording information: Chicago, IL (08/12/1955-04/30/1964). Photographers: Valerie Wilmer; Galen Gart.

Mark Hummel's Harmonica Party - Amplified Blues Harp from Chicago to the West Coast movie Continuing the series of releases from the AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL, this third volume of superlative musical performances is culled from a German television show circa 1962-1969. A welter of venerated names from the genre step up to the stage and deliver some sublime sounds that have easily transcended the ravages of time. During the 1960s a group of bluesmen relentlessly toured Europe on a hectic schedule, always making a stop at the same German TV studios to record their songs for posterity. Among the artists appearing are Son House, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Buddy Guy, and many others. This DVD contains nearly three hours of previously unseen performances filmed during the famed 1960's tours originally produced by Horst Lippmann and Fritz Rau. This rare DVD/CD set contains staggering performances by Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, T-Bone Walker, Lightning Hopkins, Memphis Slim, Big Mama Thornton, Roosevelt Sykes, Buddy Guy, Dr. Isaiah Ross, Joe Turner, Bukka White, Skip James, Son House, Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Helen Humes, Earl Hooker, Little Walter, and Magic Sam. These tapes have been rediscovered after nearly 40 years.

Mark Hummel's Harmonica Party - Amplified Blues Harp from Chicago to the West Coast DVD for sale By 2004, Pinetop Perkins may have entered his twilight years, and the fiery action he brought to the 88s in Muddy Waters's band in the 1960s may have mellowed to a smoother blues, but LADIES MAN proves he's still got the juice. The idea behind the album was to pair Perkins with an assortment of female musicians, all of whom have cited the elder statesman as an influence. The guest stars, including Ruth Brown, Marcia Ball, and Susan Tedeschi, add texture and flavor to Pinetop's well-worn vocals and still vital boogie-woogie stylings. The tunes Pinetop sings on, from the laid-back "Chicken Shack" to the rollicking "Big Fat Mama," sound as warm and familiar as old friends. But when Madeleine Peyroux takes the mic on "He's Got Me Goin'," unleashing a butter-smooth croon, or when Odetta lays down her deep alto on "Trouble in Mind," the session takes off. Brown's sassy turn on "Chains of Love," one of the album's highlights, recalls the gutsy punch of the Chicago-blues heyday, amid more updated sounds and boogie throwbacks. Perkins's fine backing musicians (including Elvin Bishop, whose slide guitar graces "How Long") keep things simmering throughout this legendary pianist's late-period date. Live Recording Liner Note Author: Mark Carpentieri. Recording information: Memphis Soundworks, Memphis, TN (05/2003-03/2004); New Calcutta Studios, New York, NY (05/2003-03/2004); Rancho Nicasio, Nicasio, CA (05/2003-03/2004); Raven Street Studios, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (05/2003-03/2004); Tiki Studios, Glen Cove, NY (05/2003-03/2004). Photographers: Daniel Fitzpatrick; Peter DiStefano. Unknown Contributor Roles: Marcia Ball; Ann Rabson. Personnel: Pinetop Perkins (vocals, piano); Pinetop Perkins; Miss Carmen Getit (guitar, background vocals); Jimmy Vivino (guitar); Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (harmonica, drums, background vocals); Jerry Vivino (saxophone); Lisa Otey (piano); Bob Stroger (bass guitar, background vocals); Kenny Smith , Mark Carpentieri, Willie Smith (drums); Deborah Coleman, Madeleine Peyroux, Susan Tedeschi (vocals, guitar); Odetta, Angela Strehli, Ruth Brown (vocals); Elvin Bishop (slide guitar); Marcia Ball, Ann Rabson (piano). Audio Mixer: Fred Guarino.

Mark Hummel's Harmonica Party - Amplified Blues Harp from Chicago to the West Coast film Mark Hummel is a hell of a harmonica player, and a more than half-decent singer. This live outing, pulled from two Canadian dates in September 2003, shows him and his band in very tight form, but relaxed enough to enjoy the party. If you're looking for deep, hard blues, this isn't really the place, although he does dive down for some emotion on "Lost a Good Man." Mostly, however, Hummel keeps it light, as with "My Back Scratcher" or the audience-participation standard "Willie and the Hand Jive." When he's not singing, he gives plenty of room to his playing. He's a good instrumentalist, sometimes quite exceptional, with a strong command of the development of a solo, as on the opening "Rockin' All the Time" or the closer, "The Creeper," James Cotton's workout, where the boogie rolls smooth as silk and Hummel's harp is in overdrive. It's impossible not to enjoy this album -- the band was obviously having a great deal of fun playing -- but at the same time it won't change your life. Take it for what it is, a record to enliven any party, and you won't be disappointed. ~ Chris Nickson West Coast harp ace Mark Hummel and his ultra tight band The Blues Survivors, joined by W.C. Handy winner Mel Brown on keyboards, tear it up on Mark's first ever live CD. This outstanding recording captures Mark's incendiary harmonica prowess at the peak Recording information: Silver Dollar Room, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (09/16/2003-09/19/2003); Slye Fox, Burlington, Ontario, Canada (09/16/2003-09/19/2003). Authors: Huey Lewis; James Harman; Charlie Musselwhite. Photographer: Gary Collver. Personnel: Mark Hummel (vocals, harmonica); Mark Hummel; Charles Wheal (guitar); Steve Wolf (bass guitar); Marty Dodson (drums); Mel Brown (keyboards); M.C. Raoul Bhaneja. Audio Mixer: Alec Fraser.

Mark Hummel's Harmonica Party - Amplified Blues Harp from Chicago to the West Coast review The award-winning blues band the Mighty Flyers is recognizable by Rod Piazza's virtuoso harmonica and fiery vocals, as well as Honey Piazza's infectious piano playing. This high-quality live recording was filmed for television in March of 2005. This group, a three-time winner of the W.C. Handy "Best Blues Band" award, is featured in live performance at an unspecified venue.

Mark Hummel's Harmonica Party - Amplified Blues Harp from Chicago to the West Coast DVD for sale Mountain Top Productions set out with "The Harpfather" Gary Smith to create this bad-ass amplified harp instructional DVD. It's a comprehensive run-down of the real stuff you need to know to get the big tone and style of the master harp blasters. See why