To ease you through the weekend, let’s have another music competition.
This week I want to know what’s your favourite song featuring a harmonica and the reason why you like it?
Here’s mine.
Reply below to be in with a chance of bagging yourself a €20 Currys PC World voucher redeemable in any Currys store.
The winner will be chosen by my roadie.
Please include video links if possible.
Lines close on Saturday at 11am.
Nick says: Good luck!
Last week’s winner here
Sponsored Link
Well, obviously. Tom Waits.
https://youtu.be/7BhxP-NDoyU
Competition over.
Furry Sings the Blues by Joni Mitchell
Reasons: take a walk around town and see.
Here’s to happier times!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1BF4nnl4c0I
Or on a higher note…
Sly & the Family…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BqWQzOzK3kw
The sublime Miss Emmylou Harris, with the beautiful Can You Hear Me Now, like Cash her vocals just got better with age, but the brilliant harmonica in the middle of the song is just gorgeous and brings the song to a whole new level!
https://youtu.be/x8bkG-MP-80
Enjoy!
I’ll be back in a bit, happy Friday!
for my Da, got to hug him for the first time in a year yesterday,
Willie Nelson, Don’t let the old man in
https://youtu.be/CG_7WxzNl5Y
Don’t let the old man in
I wanna live some more
Can’t leave it up to him
He’s knocking on my door
I knew all of my life
That someday it would end
Get up and go outside
Don’t let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body’s weathered and worn
Ask yourself how old you’d be
If you didn’t know the day you were born
Try to love on your wife
And stay close to your friends
Toast each sundown with wine
And don’t let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body’s weathered and worn
Ask yourself how old you’d be
If you didn’t know the day you were born
When he rides up on his horse
And you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
And don’t let the old man in
Look out your window and smile
Woohoo!
Really nice song. I don’t know much about Willie Nelson’s albums, he must have dozens of great ones. Some artists just ooze charisma.
Delighted for you and your Da J.
Hope he’s doing ok, not been an easy last couple of years.
thanks Lushie
Lovely Janet, and a great song too *hugs*
“Man with Harmonica” obviously; amazing piece of music from one of the greatest films ever made:
https://youtu.be/MrzukPzGqow
Ah yes Ennio Morricone, now that’s what I call atmospheric music! Amazing harmonica playing.
“As the Crow Flies” by Rory Gallagher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlY8QuXKVEE
Could have picked many from this genius.
(Only good thing to come out of Ballyshannon other than road to Sligo!)
The greatest hard rocking R’n’B band that ever existed. Their ferocious and incendiary performances foreshadowed the emergence of Punk but by God could these guys play!
Wait for the superb harmonica break by the late great Lee Brilleaux.
Dr Feelgood
Going Back Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV0yYcN9QnE
Winner!. I’m a big fan of the Feelgoods, so practically any track by them will smash the others out of the park. Lee Brilleaux, lived up to his name, R.I.P.
The first date that I went on with Mr H was to see Dr Feelgood at the Forum in Kentish Town :-)
Ha, first one I thought of was roxette..
https://youtu.be/Yp2DvPKh118
Yeah but personally I prefer this beauty.
https://youtu.be/Yp2DvPKh118
Sorry Scottser & Seamus, you’re both incorrect, this is the one you meant
https://youtu.be/Yp2DvPKh118
;-)
Um, I just posted that..
Get the party started
Housemartins – the mighty ship
https://youtu.be/46g2jupgc08
Shut your eyes listen and try not to smile – it is just that sort of a tune. it makes me smile.
I llike the bass parts too…..
My absolute favourite banging harmonica tune from underrated American rockers Blues Traveler.
Always the first track loaded when Lady C and I put together our playlist for a long road-trip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdz5kCaCRFM
This one’s always in the mix too …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ousaiByU1ko&t=51s
We can’t have Harmonica legends without Stevie Wonder. His solos are so good! This one is from one of his classic 70’s albums, the man is a genius. He plays it so differently from almost everyone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylQMhYqSntk&ab_channel=johnniewalker23
You are bang on the money there.
here’s one of my faves.
Isn’t she…
https://youtu.be/7YGc6RMOYF8
Isn’t she :)
Canned Heat – On The Road Again.
It just screams freedom and we can change the world!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmNwnSnvo1Y
Put a smile on anyone that :)
Wow…yes!
Father John Misty did an ace cover of it at The Workman’s years ago when people were allowed to breathe in each others’ carbon dioxide..
The Stones “Sweet Virginia”
Jagger gets a lot of ridicule but he’s an excellent harp player (as well as a great singer and he moves like, well, Jagger):
https://youtu.be/tIfQipkkOqs
Lots to choose from but perhaps the greatest harmonica led intro to a song is Led Zep’s cover of the classic Blues song originally written and recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929.
When the Levee Breaks.
https://youtu.be/FFDYuO53BUk
And with some visuals…
https://youtu.be/8j7oT2I8Nz8
I love Robert Plants Harmonic playing! Fantastic choice. Led Zeppelin have a few harmonica classics. This one is also excellent. He really makes it sound like a locomotive at the start of the solo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqQelCIGYMI&ab_channel=LedZeppelin-Topic
+1
2 great pics :)
To me it has to be the greatest disco record of all time. The Rolling Stones Miss You with the fantastic Sugar Blue on Harmonica.
Once this starts playing you won’t stop dancing.
https://youtu.be/hPrklRwn1HE
The brilliant Neil Young, Harvest Moon, the harmonica takes over from the vocals but is still emotional!
Sheer brilliance!!
https://youtu.be/n2MtEsrcTTs
Enjoy!
You beat me to it!
The The has that, Lilly, courtesy of Bertie.
It’s like an episode of Gogglebox.
⬇️
The The – The Beaten Generation
Johnny Marr on harmonica
https://youtu.be/ustXRPke9lM
For me it has to be the Ennio Morricone-esque intro for Supertramp’s School.
A tune thats means a million things (still relevant today) and that’s surely a great inspiration for Pink Floyd’s Another brick in the wall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaGwEe1VqwQ
if we’re supertramping, surely take the long way home should be in with a shout?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPRrHyXchEY
without a shadow of doubt the best harmonica tune is the theme from midnight cowboy. so beautiful and yet haunting and tinged with sadness. if this doesnt win nick has no soul?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgb52U7bJg0
+1 again :)
Surely there could be nothing better than the ghostly sound from 1890-something of “[Speaking, singing and short harmonica solo by unknown, possibly inebriated male speaker]” from the USCB Wax Cylinder Recordings collection
(It’s probably easier to hear if you download it.)
http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/detail.php?query_type=mms_id&query=990034921970203776&r=17&of=36
With masterly mournful harmonica by Belgian jazz great Toots Thielemans, John Barry’s final theme from Midnight Cowboy which plays us out and closes that remarkable film with Dustin Hoffman’s Ratso dying in the arms of Joe Buck, a young Jon Voigt in a memorably poignant final scene. If you wanted to explain to someone what the word “melancholy” means, play them this timeless tune which encapsulates the vibe of the whole movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOZYT8nX2X4
ahem cough!!
beat you to it!
Not if you scroll up from the bottom … which I tend to do on these posts :)
Great choice, both of ye!
With masterly mournful harmonica by Belgian jazz great Toots Thielemans, John Barry’s final theme from Midnight Cowboy which plays us out and closes that remarkable film with Dustin Hoffman’s Ratso dying in the arms of Joe Buck, a young Jon Voigt in a memorably poignant final scene. If you wanted to explain to someone what the word “melancholy” means, play them this timeless tune which encapsulates the vibe of the whole movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGORPUzLxtU
Awww man…. yeah… Such a beautiful sound :)
Rory Gallagher, Bela Fleck and Mark Feltham (harmonica) doing a spine-tingling, shiver inducing medley live at the Montreux Jazz festival fadó fadó – Amazing Grace / Walking Blues / Blue Moon of Kentucky. It’s on the “Wheels within Wheels” compilation but the link below is the live footage.
Story goes that Bob Dylan had agreed to close out with Gallagher but bottled it. The then 17/18 year old Bela Fleck (who had never played with Gallagher before) was drafted in at the last minute. You can see the two of them figuring each other out at the start, throwing the melodies and riffs back and forth until they whip the thing up into a right lather. Mercy ! Feltham peppers the 10 minutes with little bursts of harmonica before getting his own turn in the spotlight. Might not technically be the absolute definition of “harmonica” per the theme but any excuse to share this is enough of an excuse ….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf6RRASIU7A
“She Caught the Katy” – this version by the Blues Brothers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5xexv-dMrM
The “Katy” was the Kentuky to Texas railroad, the K-T line.
Harmonica used to excellent effect to evoke the sounds of the train!
My favourite tune featuring the harmonica is Paradise City by Guns ‘n Roses. The intro says “hey you, listen up” and then it explodes and keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Guaranteed to drive stadia of sweaty rockers wild. I linked to a live version because I reckon this song is a trademark stadium anthem.
https://youtu.be/12yEZsXt0oI
Hoochie Coochie Man by Muddy Waters.
https://youtu.be/U5QKpsVzndc
The Blues was originally a folk music but when Muddy Waters moved to Chicago and plugged-in his guitar, he basically invented rock music.and His early recordings are the template on which most of rock music is based. The star on this recording, though, is not the guitar but the harmonica. Little Walter plays the harmonica and it is probably the most famous riff in the blues. It has been copied countless times on guitar by so many of the great rock guitarists.
Possibly not one of the most popular Instruments for an 80’s bands but the harmonica played a big part in this hit for INXS – suicide blonde!
https://youtu.be/Ma4TOv2f_WY
Enjoy!
Class tune
Barry Barefoot Beefus
Barefoot Beefus
https://youtu.be/KEb-4KyXPzo
Harmonica doesn’t appear until late, another tune that makes me smile
Sure we have to put in one of our best, absolutely brilliant talent, the brilliant Don Baker,
https://youtu.be/rBP5qLlTbhc
Now that’s harmonica is played!!
Enjoy
Bob Nylon (Neil Innes) – Protest Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfTlGMCeuDE
https://youtu.be/GtRxJDb3vlw
The king of harmonica, Sonny Boy Williamson with ‘keep it to yourself’.
Its not his suave sophistication or his easy grace. Its not his skill or his unlimited chops. For me, it’s his articulation despite his lack of teeth that makes me grin.
Very good choice from Stephen Moran and congratulations on your win last week !
I’m going to run you a bit closer with this one I think
The sublime Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart with the incredible Stevie Wonder on harmonica, just when you think this song can’t get any better …
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TlGXDy5xFlw
A cracker :)
Stevie Wonder was mentioned above so I’m nominating Eurythmics’ There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart) featuring one Stevland Judkins himself on harmonica.
Here’s a live version https://youtu.be/xQm-DsCng1A?t=10
The incomparable Mick Kinsella with Tango a la Turk
https://youtu.be/ecSUKCZEsFU
https://youtu.be/s11BuatTuXk
I’m very surprised that nobody has posted this, probably one of the most famous harmonica intros EVER.
Pogues, dirty old town
Or this one, the unmistakable intro from ‘message to you Rudy’ by The Specials
https://youtu.be/cntvEDbagAw
One of my favourite bands, during my teenage years and beyond.
The Doors – RoadHouse Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE32pvvaDT8&feature=youtu.be
Great choice one of the best songs ever
A top choice track that :)
Or even ‘love me do’ by The Beatles. Anyone?
Beuller?
https://youtu.be/0pGOFX1D_jg
Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
John Henry
https://youtu.be/v5s8IaaSiEU
The Specials, ‘message to you Rudy’
I think the naughty filter got this first time round..
https://youtu.be/cntvEDbagAw
One of U2’s best, IMO:
Running to stand still – U2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvUI-s4Azw4
With Harmonica!
Poo harmonica though. This is much better poo harmonica.
https://youtu.be/MGxjIBEZvx0
Dylan, subterranean homesick blues.
Sorry, scottser, I’m a true republican and patriot.
As Bono quoted in one of his songs, “Every poet is a thief” – never more apt to your hero Dylan.
‘Steal from one man they call you a thief. Steal from everyone they make you the king’
Bono hasn’t had an original thought since 1985.
But he can play the harmonica on a treadmill.
I did post this earlier?, but never appeared? If it appears again apologies!
Anyway here’s one of best doing what he does best!
https://youtu.be/rBP5qLlTbhc
Enjoy!
Saw him play once in a pub in Ballsbridge… and when he broke into a harmonica solo less than six feet from where I sat I was totally taken by it, mesmermised. A master of the harmonica for sure :)
Frank Frost – My Back Scratcher (1965)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx1vcZRscaI
Tight little funky blues number. Great groove to it
Would make a great house sample.
Ryan Adams enters the chat.
Oh My Sweet Carolina – https://youtu.be/-T2MOoFL1rg
America. Year was 1974. This is for all the lonely people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXTy5ZuRhkE
For anyone whoever had History in their record collection.
The Smiths – Still I’ll
https://youtu.be/k8geJf18Lx0
Dave Fanning had “Oh Well” I wanted “Still Ill” for the harmonica and the harmonica alone. Not all versions featured the harmonica but this one on a “Hatful of Hollow” did. If I ever do get my own radio show I’m still using it.
“ I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna, I was blowin’ sad while Bobby sang the blues…”
As he says himself in the intro – if it sounds country that’s what it is, it’s a country song.
Kris Kristofferson – Me and Bobby McGee
https://youtu.be/97sY6j-CHu0
The River By Bruce Springsteen – telling a story with the chilling harmonica between every chapter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc6F47Z6PI4
Good choice.
Another The The suggestion. This time a harmonica solo anyone can play
Dogs of Lust
https://youtu.be/7T-c1x0ILWI
A topical title in current times…
The Black Crowes with “Hotel Illness” from 1992s The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion.
Here’s a live version:
https://youtu.be/ACRMQ3FmlNo
The Black Crowes were my go to band, back in the day, when music meant something and was actually good.
Others call it the nineties.
Particularly 1990-1995 :)
There isn’t a bad track on that album, one I used to have on repeat back in the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Si_vrDzAis
Corks greatest folk electronica artist simple kid, a great pop song
Mika – Adi fel maadi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHoJSmXhp0g
You had to be there
( Song only clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAqUG7epEt0 )
Not a song, but a two minute improv on harmonica by Indriana Sfair…. If you love the harmonica, you will not be disappointed, enjoy :)
https://youtu.be/uIss2Qmmc5k
^Indiara… dang autocorrect :)
Haunting melody
https://youtu.be/ZGORPUzLxtU
No Van Morrison?! Better fix that!
Harmonica Boogie (Live 1974)
https://youtu.be/ipCBhSugKZE
Doctor “The scan revealed that your willy is the shape of a saxophone”
Man “I know, it’s a family trait – all our family has genitalia shaped like musical instruments”
Doctor ” I’ve only ever seen this once before, many years ago I examined a lady with a fanny like a mouth organ”
Man “That’s our Monica…”
I thought someone might have posted this already for the harmonica intro, Blackfoot – Train, Train:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hBP15lRprPs
Surely the 45 minute harmonica classic by Doomerati Symphony on their glam-rock classic must win? Especially as Bleeding Gums McCarthy would die just as the song ended. The band had taken too literally his song titling and now no one will ever hear the classic “I’d like to see you try and shove this harmonica up my hole”.
Townes Van Zandt recorded No Deeper Blue,in Limerick with Irish musicians.
He died a year later,the Cowboy Junkies had toured with Townes ,he this wrote and recorded this song for them.
Townes Van Zandt – COWBOYS JUNKIE LAMENT.
https://youtu.be/d-jlRPIGgfM
-at my window by Townes has some great harmonica playing by Willie Nelson’s harmonica player Mickey Raphael.
https://youtu.be/M7A5kkJG_YI
have a great Sunday.