Anson Funderburg and the Rockets featuring the late, great, Sam Myers on harp. In his later years, Sam really embraced his blindness. He would chain smoke during a show, flicking his ash juuuust to the left of his huge pedestal ashtray. Eventually someone up front would move his ashtray just a bit to the left, and Sam would then begin flicking ash juuuust to the right, where the ashtray used to be. Sam could see shadows, and made use of this. He was a cool guy, I miss him.
Well even if he’s all boring household name and stuff… Li’l Stevie can still blow. I especially like his solo in Boogie On Reggae Woman.
PS: I was lucky enough to co-produce a TV news story on Toots Thielemans about 10 years ago. So cool.
I second your Hazmat Modine nomination. A very good, very interesting band.
I have to say, this thread went many different ways that I hadn’t anticipated. I love having my horizon’s expanded, especially when a band called Hazmat Modine is involved.
Strongly recommend their first album Bahamut.
Paul Butterfireld blowing through “Mystery Train” in The Last Waltz.
Little Walter with Muddy Waters, Louisiana Blues. It’s not so much the notes but his tone and the way he adds to the mix (link to whole track):
I don’t know the first thing about the talent required to play the harmonica well, but I’ve always enjoyed what Robert Plant does. A couple of Zeppelin tracks have already been mentioned, to which I’ll add You Shook Me (cued to solo):
Notice the vocalization toward the end of his solo. I’m not sure how common that technique is, but Chrissie Hynde does something similar at the start of her solo in Middle of the Road (cued to solo):
