[Harp-L] re: Looking for info on Mark Ford (and Ford Bros.)

[Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

MN wrote "I have taken a freelance writing assignment..."

I can't help too much, but I wanted to say I believe Mark Ford is one 
of the most undervalued harp players around. I have been a fan of his 
for a long time. His playing combines amazing technical virtuosity, 
fabulous tone (and a wide range of it), but most of all, creativity. 
His solos just always seem to include notes, runs, licks that nobody 
else plays.

I have measured my progress as a harp player by my ability to play his 
solo from "Gimme Some", (from "Mark Ford & The Blue Line") which 
exemplifies his playing. I've gotten to the point where I can play it 
note for note - but it took me several years - and I still can't play 
it with his consistency of tone or fluidity.

I have a pretty reasonable collection of albums with his playing, 
including "The Charles Ford Band" recording, his first as far as I 
know.    From the liner notes of those I can tell you that Mark was 
born 10/21/1953. Brothers Pat and Robben, who previously backed Charlie 
Musselwhite, formed the Charles Ford Band, named after their father, in 
1970, with Gary Smith on harp initially. The album was recorded in 1972 
as the brothers were going separate ways and wanted to preserve what 
they had accomplished. Mark was 17 or 18 at the time, and the recording 
clearly shows he was already very talented.  Having guys like Charlie 
Musselwhite and Gary Smith as mentors didn't hurt! Of course he 
continued to record, both under his own name and on many of Robben's 
albums, for many years. He evidently also recorded with Brownie McGhee 
but I have not heard that.

I have an MP3 of Mark playing "Summertime", another seminal, inventive 
performance showing his amazing skill. I do not know the album it comes 
from however.

If you would like more info from I can glean from the liner notes feel 
free to contact me  off list.