Blues Harp on DVD
American Folk Blues Festival: Vol. 1 - 3
Just a brief and heartfelt suggestion for you: point your Netflix over to this three-disc set. We're talking Germany in the early 1960's. We're talking about elaborate/stereotypical stage sets and stuffy-looking audiences . . . but feel free to ignore those elements. Instead, focus on the performances of blues giants like Big Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Junior Wells, etc.
One moment to look out for on the Vol. 2 disc: the concluding harmonica session. Big Mama Thornton brings out a heavy-hitting bunch of harp sluggers to join her. There is a (dancing!) Big Walter Horton ready to take his turn . . . there is the great Dr. Ross with harp in hand . . . there is J.B. Lenoir . . . and then there is John Lee Hooker. Erm, we all admire John Lee Hooker's singing and guitar playing, but his membership in this harp gang makes no sense. I'm no expert, but I do know what sounds good to me. And poor John Lee Hooker looks/sounds like he is only on stage because he lost a bet.
In conclusion, you need to see American Folk Blues Festival: Vol. 1 - 3. There you go.
