[Harp-L] Re: New Heavenly Blue

[Peter and Connie Ruth <conruth@xxxxxxxxx>]

Now that’s a flash from the past...

Mike Hines wrote:

> I need a bit of help from some of you more advanced players if  
> possible. I'm trying to learn a song by a group called "New  
> Heavenly Blue". Song is "My heart's at the cleaners". There is some  
> modulation in there and although i think i know where the harp part  
> is going, i can't seem to get there from here. I believe the song  
> modulates from A to something like F# diminished/coagulated etc.  
> Any and all help greatly appreciated. this tune's stuck in my head  
> and i gotta learn it.
>                                 Mike

Back in 1970 I was the 21 year old harmonica player in the band “New  
Heavenly Blue.”  Our first record, EDUCATED HOMEGROWN, was recorded  
in the summer of 1970 at the RCA studios in Chicago and released  
later that year on RCA Records.  The medley of “My Heart’s at the  
Cleaners” and “The Real McCoy” was on that first New Heavenly Blue LP.

The “Hearts at the Cleaners” part of the song was in the key of E,  
played in second position on an A harmonica.  In the instrumental  
section (the Real McCoy section) of the medley we modulated to the  
key of A which I played in second position on a D harmonica.  At the  
bridge it goes to F# minor (the relative minor of A) and I continued  
playing on a D harmonica.  So on the bridge I was playing in fifth  
position.  (At that time I had no idea that fifth position was called  
fifth position.)

It was my idea to put “The Real McCoy” into that medley.  Even back  
in 1970 I was a huge fan of Charlie McCoy.  His Record THE REAL MCCOY  
was released the year before (1969) so I was probably the first  
person to record a cover version of that song.

Peace & Joy,

Peter Madcat Ruth
madcat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.madcatmusic.net