Magic Dick joins me on episode 50.
Magic Dick created one of the all time classic harmonica instrumentals in Whammer Jammer. But his long career has produced so many more highlights than just that.
He started playing trumpet at age 9, and this instrument along with his love of jazz and rock and roll shaped his approach on harmonica.
He was a founder member of the J Geils Band, who had great commercial success for over 15 years. Magic Dick was  an integral part of their sound with his harmonica work central to their output of Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Pop and Soul.
After the J Geils band split in 1985 he took a break from playing before coming back with some session playing and then forming the band Bluestime with J Geils. More recently he has performed in an acoustic duo with Shun Ng.

Links:

Magic Dick's website:
https://www.magicdick.com/

Email Magic Dick for lessons:
[email protected]

Line 6 HX Stomp pedal:
https://uk.line6.com/hx-stomp/

Videos:

Southern Crossing with band Full Circle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEayO6DUn74

Whammer Jammer with Shun Ng:
https://youtu.be/QRygCpiW7mY

So What on Chromatic with Shun Ng:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtM9UGfwLm0

Papa's Got A Brand New Bag with Shun Ng:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxAZ3YyjtPg


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Support the show

Rory Mcleod joins me on episode 49.
Rory is a modern day wandering minstrel . A multi-instrumentalist ‘folk singing’ troubadour, Rory has travelled far and wide, his trusty harmonica (plus an assortment of other instruments) has been with him every step of the way, including working as a musical clown in Mexico.
His first band was ‘Have Mercy’, formed jamming in the markets of London alongside Steve Baker and another harmonica player. Rory has jammed and gone onto collaborate with a wide range of different performers around the world, including Michelle Shocked from the US and Australian Aboriginal Kev Carmody. From his travels he has picked up tunes which have armed his harmonica repertoire with complex rhythms and unique angles.
Rory won the Edinburgh Festival Street Busker of the Year and was the Texas Harmonica Champion of 1981.

Links:

Rory's website:
http://www.rorymcleod.com/

Bandcamp page:
https://rorymcleod.bandcamp.com/music

Buy a Sheng Chinese Harmonica:
https://harmonicas-direct.com/product/sheng/

Road Diaries:
http://www.rorymcleod.com/diaries/list.htm

Videos:

Have Mercy ‘Boodlam’ album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOkOZUD9GNg

NHL Festival 2011 with glass and telephone call:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqDqHkA-e2w

Loves Like A Rock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4gFDlm4oe0

Short interview on YouTube: Bluesman don’t really sing about their Grandmas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XPXxQDukBg

Some of the harmonica songs on Rory's albums (including the ones played in the podcast):

Album: Angry Love
Farewell welfare

Album: Kicking the sawdust
Baksheesh
Harmonicas dream

Album: Footsteps and Heartbeats
Love like a Rock
Moments shared
Take me home

Album: Travelling Home
India matea
Black Brown and White

Album: Lullabies for big babies
Come with me when I go
Long lost friend

Album: Mouth to mouth
Miners Picket dance
Sandpaper blues
One track mind  (with have mercy)

Album: Brave Faces
Klezmer tune: The Disciple of the Rabbi from Trisk.
Cut in Pay
Emperor’s new clothes

Album: Swings and Roundabouts
Lassoing the bees

Album: Songs for big little people
Train
Deep breath waltz
Winds March (played on Sheng Zheng)
Balloon dance
Direction song
Feather race

Album: Gusto
Disturbing The comfortable
Galloway girl
Wrong side of the wall

Single:
Didn’t he ramble


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows

Support the show

Cy Leo joins me on episode 48.
Leo is from Hong Kong, where he started learning to play classical chromatic harmonica from age 6, under the direction of his father, who is an accomplished player himself, having won the ensemble category at the 1997 World Harmonica Championship with his quintet, helping to raise interest in the harmonica throughout Asia.
Leo quickly gained recognition in his own right, winning the World Championship youth category at age 15 before taking the adult crown at age 19.
Still only 27, Leo has built on his early success with some notable studio sessions and two albums under his own name. Leo also spent a few years on cruise ships which helped him hone his stagecraft.
Currently living in New York, Leo is studying Jazz Performance at NYU. And watch out on your TV screens for Leo as he is about to audition for America’s Got Talent!

Links:

Leo's website:
https://www.cyleomusic.com/

Kings Harmonica Quintet:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpKi1oSXOlTpHkyWSRzlFsQ

Ginger Muse record label:
https://www.gingermuse.com/

Love of Chromatic Harmonica book:
http://mastersofharmonica.com/slide/love-chromatic-harmonica-5/

Cremona chromatic:
http://www.workshop-cremona.com/service.html

Pollestad chromatic:
http://www.polle.no/munnspi3.html

Microphone:
https://www.lewitt-audio.com/microphones/mtp-live/mtp-740-cm

Videos:

World Championship entry 2013:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq3PuVLxZTM

Playing Flight of the Bumble Bee on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRmk1ZPSjXc

Performing at Chinese New Year celebrations in London:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipOMGDuRNwE&t=170s

Song with Sandy Lam:
https://youtu.be/IaMI0Zb2kKk

Tuition video on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQypPEs4ksc


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Support the show

Jason Rosenblatt joins me on episode 47.

A native of Canada but now resident in Israel, Jason is best known for his band Shtreiml, playing a mixture of Klezmer (Jewish) and Eastern European music with great use of the harmonica. 

His first instrument was piano before he went on to pick up the harmonica after hearing Sonny Terry and Paul Butterfield. He then took advantage of the vibrant Montreal blues scene to witness harmonica live.

After hearing Howard Levy’s seminal ‘New Directions in Harmonica’ tutorial video, Jason knew he also wanted to take his own playing down a new path. He proceeded to take lessons with Howard, helping him to expand his sound using the overblow technique.

In 2015 Jason released his album Wiseman’s Rag, a slightly twisted take on the blues and jazz music that first got him started.

Links:

Jason's website:
https://jasonrosenblatt.com/home

Shtreiml band:
http://www.shtreiml.com/shtreiml.php

Jerusalem Harmonica Festival:
https://www.facebook.com/harmony.culturalcenter/photos/a.259961650825736/2058544157634134/

Joe Spiers custom harmonicas:
https://spiersharmonicas.com

Videos:

Grand Theft Stutinki - Shtreiml CD Launch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG9PUugB-Zs&list=PLyA_Ggl9bnME8h4rLSjdK86aK4CVzWcUp

Harmonica Jazz - Paper Moon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LyUd3gSswU&list=PL0F121BC77E9267C7

Teaching: using overblows in blues context:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsfh4QF7XrY

Teaching: Salt Creek:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQmoDjp32qc


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Support the show

Greg Heumann joins me on episode 46.
The focus of this episode is all about gear, as I talk to the founder of BlowsMeAway Productions.
Greg has released an album of his own and uses his knowledge of playing harmonica to understand what is needed to make great harmonica products.The first product in this line was the volume control which later on Jason Ricci asked Greg to develop into the actual mic, which led to the Ultimate Series of mics.
He also hand crafts beautiful custom wood microphones and grills which can include your own initials and designs.
On top of this Greg also makes his very own mic element, which is included in his successful smaller diameter ‘Bulletini’ microphone.

Links:

Gregs website:
http://www.blowsmeaway.com

All About microphones guide:
http://blowsmeaway.com/all%20about%20harmonica%20microphones.pdf

Videos:

Workshop video of creating wooden mic and metal grille:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbYGs58nW2g

Nic Clarke playing wood mic:
https://youtu.be/HBflXFYi1kE

Hermine Deurloo playing Ultimate SM58:
https://youtu.be/zBxEWyGrbmA

Mark Hummel playing the RackIt with Bulletini:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBg3D6xZmUQ

Harpin’ By The Sea festival 2021:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysr5Pep81QU

PT Gazell interview as part of Seydel Overtones:
https://youtu.be/2FdkEYT6ggs

Email:
[email protected]


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Support the show

Tony Eyers joins me on episode 45.
Tony is an Australian who first picked up the harmonica while studying at Yale in the US. Returning from America he started a successful blues band in Adelaide.
He also plays baroque recorder, and has been part of an ensemble for 25 years, which has helped shape his sound on harmonica.
In the mid-90s he became interested in playing fiddle music and developed the Major Cross tuning for the diatonic, now available through Seydel.
Tony has several successful harmonica teaching websites, including the Harmonica Academy.
And also has his own harmonica trio for which he has released numerous YouTube videos, where he maintains the great tradition of comedy in the harmonica ensemble.


Links:

Teaching website:
https://www.harmonicaacademy.com

Spanish version:
https://armonica.com.es

Harmonica Tunes website:
http://harmonicatunes.com/

Recorder teaching site:
https://learnrecorder.com

Major Cross Harp Tuning:
https://www.seydel1847.de/major-cross

Taiwan tour in 2010:
http://harmonicatunes.com/tony-eyers-taiwan-harmonica-tour/

Tony Eyers trio formation story:
http://harmonicatunes.com/tony-eyers-harmonica-trio/

Videos:
Jim Fitting:
https://youtu.be/sGpBxepQx7Q

Tony Eyers Trio - Jerusalem Ridge:
https://youtu.be/cEWJtrPAtLw

Tremolo playing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWr2qusnfu8

Tony Eyers Trio with button accordions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYhG5FnjRGA

Tony’s Fifties Busking trio:
http://thefifties.com.au/watch/

Tony explains Major Cross tuning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fn6nfMAbuA


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Support the show

Adam Burney joins me on episode 44. 
Adam is a south London boy, from Croydon. A stint playing with the punk bands of this area has helped shape his sound with an edge of Blues punk, including in his own band, The Brothers of Mothershovel. 
A big fan of pre-war style of harmonica, Adam has incorporated these techniques into a style which fits into a modern band. Characterised by a rhythmic driving sound which is infectiously danceable.
Adam has recorded some notable tv sessions including some harmonica used in the BBC TV Doctor Who series.
Adam’s latest album ‘Tidy’s Blues Sandwich’ is more of a full-on blues album, recorded with some of the great players currently on London blues scene.

Links:
Tidy's Blues Sandwich album:
https://tidysbluessandwich.bandcamp.com/releases

The Brothers of Mothershovel Bandcamp page:
https://thebrothersofmothershovel.bandcamp.com

Brothers of Mothershovel: Umcha, Umcha album review by Richard Taylor: http://www.harpsurgery.com/umcha-umcha-brothers-of-mothershovel/

Videos:

Hovel Bop video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AhvIwtrH0

Make The Tea/On The Run Again from latest album:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=LCYqy7LxQWI&feature=share

Harpin' By The Sea workshop on Noah Lewis:
https://youtu.be/pbV21VF-yOw

Return of Jerome:
https://youtu.be/zxhgT9P9wjo

Wolfie Witcher documentary:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=135_abFUQfk&feature=share

PCP - Let The Fun Begin:
https://youtu.be/xD3lZpDTAqs

Keith Turner and Southern Sound rehearsal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDADnebDAO0


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Support the show

David Naiditch joins me on episode 43. 

After starting out as a diatonic player, including having lessons with a touring Sonny Terry, David developed himself into possibly the sole exponent of playing Bluegrass music on the chromatic harmonica, and has recorded various albums with some of the stellar names from the Bluegrass world. 

David likes the clean, consistent tone that the chromatic brings.
He also plays Gypsy Jazz, a genre which he sees as having some similarities with Bluegrass. 
During the pandemic David recorded an album entirely remotely from the other musicians, and his delight with the results show the increasing potential of this, although it’s always nice to play along with others. 

David honed his craft live, and you might catch him jamming along at a festival in the US sometime soon. 

Links:
Website:
http://www.davidnaiditch.com/DavidNaiditch/Welcome.html

Steve Kaufman’s Bluegrass workout:
https://www.homespun.com/shop/product/steve-kaufmans-four-hour-bluegrass-workout-volume-one/

Videos:

David's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/DNaiditch

David demos blues in 12 keys on chromatic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njLjIlYM02o

Jimmy Riddle playing chromatic on US TV show ‘Hee Haw’:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO1xQ-TAF6k

Jackie Naiditch YouTube channel for house jams:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRvo2hgdJVyz8o-CQgopjTA


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Support the show

Hermine Deurloo joins me on episode 42. 

Hermine is a Dutch female chromatic harmonica player who grew up to the sound of master jazz player Toots Thielemans. After studying saxophone at the Amsterdam Conservatory, she picked up the chromatic and transitioned over to the harmonica being her instrument of choice. 

Her first album was of Brazilian music, and she has gone on to record several jazz albums in her own name. Her more recent album, Riverbeast, delves into 70s funk. She has appeared as a guest artist on numerous albums and is famous in her native Netherlands for playing the advertisement music for sausages!

Hermine won the SPAH harmonica player of the year award in 2018 and hopes she can inspire other females to pick up the harmonica.

Links:
Website:
https://www.herminedeurloo.com/

Strangely In Love film music: The Stalker
https://soundcloud.com/awintory/dostoevsky-in-love-the-stalker?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fawintory%252Fdostoevsky-in-love-the-stalker

Ambleside festival:
https://www.amblesidedays.co.uk/

Saed Haddad harmonica composition, performed by Hermine:
https://soundcloud.com/dr-saed-haddad/melancholie-for-chromatic-harmonica-orch-extract-1-2017-18

Bernie Bray SPAH award winners:
https://www.spah.org/content.asp?contentid=61

Blows Me Away Productions harmonica equipment:
http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Videos:
Studio work videos:
https://www.herminedeurloo.com/studio-work/

Sausage advert on Netherlands TV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghXe6Y75RGs


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Support the show

Phil Wiggins joins me on episode 41.

Phil  was one half of one of the best known blues duos around, Cephas and Wiggins, playing with John Cephas for over thirty years. They progressed from their early recordings in Germany to go on to tour the world, and even played at the White House to the Clintons. They played in the Piedmont blues style, Phil being one of its rare masters on harmonica, picked up from the guitar players who developed this approach.

A native of Washington D.C., Phil wrote a book about the blues scene in the city, and went on to use his music to steer some of the troubled youth of the city onto a better path.

Since John Cephas passed in 2009, Phil has continued his musical career by playing with various artists. Always sticking to his philosophy to play music for people to dance to.

Links:
Website: https://www.philwiggins.com/ 

Washington DC blues scene book:
https://sweetbitterblues.com/

Music & conversation with Joe Filisko and Eric Norden:
https://34lounge.com/

Videos:
National Folk Festival 2020:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POEo8vxU2e8

With Ben Hunter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4f-9OMLmOA

Chesapeake Sheiks: Struttin’ With Some Barbeque
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjqIVZoCQ2g


Podcast website:
https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com

Donations:
If you want to make a voluntary donation to help support the running costs of the podcast then please use this link (or visit the podcast website link above):
https://paypal.me/harmonicahappyhour?locale.x=en_GB

Spotify Playlist:
Also check out the Spotify Playlist, which contains most of the songs discussed in the podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QC6RF2VTfs4iPuasJBqwT?si=M-j3IkiISeefhR7ybm9qIQ

Podcast sponsors:
This podcast is sponsored by SEYDEL harmonicas - visit the oldest harmonica factory in the world at www.seydel1847.com  or on Facebook or Instagram at SEYDEL HARMONICAS
and Blows Me Away Productions: http://www.blowsmeaway.com/

Support the show