[Harp-L] Re: Runaway and Bonnie Raitt

["Customharmonicas" <customharmonicas@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello,
Of all the wonderful moments with the Harmonica I have had in my life
(there have been so many) three most exciting  for me were the 3 times I
played this remarkable solo with Bonnie and her all star band which included
Will McFarlane on guitar, Marty Grebb on sax, Freebo on bass etc.
The first time was on the Mall in Washington D.C. in 1978 for the filming
of the movie Hair. Then it happened again at the War Memorial in
Worcester, Mass, and again at Temple Mountain in New Hampshire.
These were all during times when it was included in
Bonnie's set and during the time and not too long after it was big on the
radio.
Norton was not touring with her then.
For an 18 year old musician it was a bigtime thrill to play with her and her
crew.
Bonnie was extremely gracious and called my name numerous times and kissed
my cheek many times as well, all in front of 10,000 or more people on the
mall.
I did once see Norton on television playing this ( I think on the Midnight
Special show) and he was pulling out harps from and then replacing them in
various pockets, all while holding a microphone.
This juggling feat of Norton's was most amazing to me then and it still is.
He is a brilliant and inventive player.
Each time I was lucky enough to perform his Runaway solo with Bonnie the
microphone was on a stand and I held 4 Harmonicas,
2 in each hand, and it was easier to pull it off that way for me.
What I notice omitted when folks discuss this solo is that in the intro
there is a warble of a C and Eb note
which I played on a Bb harp before utilizing the 4 necessary for the solo.
I suppose these notes could have come off a Db harp but that's the way I did
it then. Although 4 are required for the solo section I chose to have 5 with
me to play everything from her recording including the intro.
Peace and Music,
Jimmy Gordon