[Harp-L] Re: Rhythm Willie

[Tom Ball <havaball@xxxxxxx>]

A definitive article entitled "The Rhythm Willie Story" by Scott 
Dirks appeared in the UK magazine Blues And Rhythm a few years back 
(issue # 127, March 1998.)  Highly recommended reading and includes a 
complete discography.  It's still available as a back issue -- see: 
http://www.bluesandrhythm.co.uk/backissues.html   (usual disclaimer - 
no affilialion.)

As to comparisons with Popper, the only similarity I hear is a 
preference for the upper register -- other than that, Mr. Hood's 
playing is more thought out, better executed and just plain hipper 
than Mr. Popper's.  Despite was was written here earlier, Wiilie did 
not overblow; nevertheless his facility on the diatonic harp was 
astonishing, particularly his fifth-position work on 'Breathtakin' 
Blues.' RW was one of the only harpists of his (or any other) era to 
never play in second position -- most of his recordings are in first.

As to John Kally's question regarding RW's version of "I Got Rhythm," 
it was recorded in 1950 w/ possibly Memphis Slim's Orchestra and 
released on Premium PR-866. To my knowledge this has not been 
reissued. He did do some 1947 recordings with Earl Bostic's band, but 
only one cut ("Willie's Boogie") was issued on a now-out-of-print 
French LP (Aladdin/Pathe Marconi 1561321.) This is the sample 
referred to by Xavier.  To repeat Xavier's post, part of the song is 
here: http://harmonica.typepad.com/harmonica_ramblings/files/Q2EX3.mp3

Altogether Rhythm Willie appeared (either as a leader or a sideman) 
on 16 sides from 1939 to 1950 (plus 3 more unissued sides w/ Bostic.) 
It's a shame none of the reissue labels has chosen to group these 
together on CD.

cheers and best to all,

Tom Ball
Santa Barbara CA