Re: [Harp-L] Runaway - Bonnie Raitt

[tacopescado@xxxxxxxxxxx]

I'm sure this info can be found in the Harp-L archives. First, as  
Norton did it it, it can't be done on one harp. Somewhere online is a  
story (maybe Winslow or someone else can post it) where they had a  
bunch of LA studio musicians lay down tracks playing a variety of  
different instruments to no avail and someone suggested that Norton  
Buffalo who was in town with Steve Miller give it a try. Norton, who  
had the flu laid down a track on a CBH that again didn't work and  
Norton suggested that he do it the way he would with his band. The  
control room erupted in applause after he put down the track. They  
made some minor overdubs and the rest is history.

I've been doing this with a variety of bands since about the time it  
first came out. The harps in order are F, Eb, Db(C#), C. Each  
individual 2-bar lick is not that difficult. What's difficult is  
keeping track of the harps and making sure the right one gets to your  
mouth right side up every time. Then you have to do it again. So...  
keeping track of the harps after you play the first round is  
paramount. On top of that you have to play the licks. It's totally  
multi-processing.

For you younger cats... Bonnie Raitt did it on a Don Kirshner's  
Midnight Special in 1977 and Norton burped on the last harp an used  
the C# to finish. Been there done that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPzcZNgVfpA

Taco


On Aug 10, 2012, at 2:58 PM, Matt Prouty wrote:

> I am trying to work out a way to play Runaway or The Runaway (Del  
> Shannon).
>
> On the Bonnie Raitt version, which is the version we do, at least on  
> the video the harp player uses 3 or 4 harmonicas and switches  
> through out the solo.  I was hoping to use only one harmonica but I  
> can not get it sounding just right.
>
> I am playing a Bb harp in 3rd position as we play this song in Cm.
>
> The chords for the solo are Cm, Bb, Ab, G.  I certainly could simply  
> play the melody but would like to play a bluesy sounding solo.  
> Switching harps once might be manageable.
>
> Right now this is the only song I play harmonica on.
>
> Thanks for any advice.