![]() The opening harmonica riff is something I play nearly every day, just to warm up. But Wilson’s harmonica has a distinct country-acoustic feel that I prefer, not overly amplified as in most Chicago-style blues. The boogie riff itself is a basic E/G/A blues chord pattern adapted from John Lee Hooker’s “ Boogie Chillen” from 1949. His tambura at the beginning and end reinforces his hypnotic one-chord drone on guitar to give it an exotic, Eastern flair. ![]() Harmonica player Alan Wilson, also known as Blind Owl, provides the distinctive falsetto as well as a harmonica performance for the ages. It is a remake of the 1953 Floyd Jones song of the same name, which is based on Tommy Johnson’s “Big Road Blues”, recorded in 1928. ![]() “ On the Road Again” appeared on Boogie with Canned Heat in 1968. The second song I learned, at age 15, is still the most often requested when I play live. Song 2: Alan Wilson of Canned Heat, “On The Road Again” It was not a well known album, and it was probably not his best album, but it was a turning point for me. The album crossed the lines between protest folk, blues, and jazz, from the pioneer of the British blues and the mentor of Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck. I learned about breathing, pacing, and playing rhythm. I was barely 15, in my first band, and “Room to Move” became my signature tune. Turning Point, a John Mayall live album from a 1969 concert at the Fillmore East, kicked me in the ass and launched my harmonica career. The songs Song 1: John Mayall, “Room to Move” The following are songs from the best harmonica players I’ve ever heard and that influenced my style of playing harmonica. (See the Flying Other Brothers for examples of my playing.)įull playlists Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube
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