[Harp-L] Old timers used advanced techs -- just hear their records

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Nobody ever used an overblow in the old time blues -- if you don't count 
Blues Birdhead in 1929. And I'm just as sure that if HE stumbled upon an overblow 
(probably just another choked note [or bent note] to him) there is no doubt in 
my mind that others did too.

Because if a sound is on record, anybody can hear and KNOW that note is 
possible.

Only a few thousand people try to immitate Little Walter and they never met 
him, they only heard his records.



If Blues Birdhead (James Simons) played the first overblow on record in 1929 
on his "Mean Low blues" (at the 47th second of the performance, an E in hole 6 
on a harmonica tuned in F sharp).

"Harmonica Blues MIssissippi - Memphis - Chicago 1927-1941 (Fremeaux & 
Associes SA 1995) This is a great double disc (18 tunes on each disc) set that has 
considerable liner notes in French but also some in English as well as a 
section detailing  harp postion, harp key, song key.

For all you out there who Little Walter invented blues harp, this is a good 
place to start with Sonny Boy I and other mostly pre-World War II players, why 
-- by the way -- everybody who came after had heard on their 78 rpm records.


In a message dated 6/22/2005 9:45:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
Aalprice@xxxxxxx writes:
Hi Hurricane.
     I just read your post mate....it's an interesting read.
But i feel i'll have to stick my oar in...in respect to the overblowing by  
the old masters....James Cotton especially.
    To my knowledge none of these older trad players used overblows or  
overdraws....Cotton,LW,BW and Sonny Boy to name but a few.
With respect, are you refering to blow bends and draw bends....it a mistake  
i used to make often myself .
     The only reason i bring this up Hurricane is that i've been listening to 
 
these guys for years and i am an overblower....so if there are examples of 
OB's  
by the master harp players i'd love to hear them.  Given that i have not  

heard a fraction of the music these guys recorded it's a possibility you may 
be  
right.                     Regards,Al.