Blowin' In The Brass Windpipe: Two Centuries of The Blues Harp

I have always considered the harmonica to be one of my favorite instruments and although I've tried learning it, I never managed to pick up on it. There are plenty of bands or artists that I listen to who often feature the harmonica in many of their songs. In fact, there are many harmonica players, who perform such moving harmonica solos. While the harmonica still remains widely popular in the blues, folk and country genres, it has branched out to other styles of music over the past several decades. We'll take a look at some of the most influential harmonica players, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and John Popper.

The harmonica has always and will always remain one of the major components of the Blues. When records featuring the harmonica first appeared in the 1920s, it was considered a staple instrument among the African American communities in the South until the Memphis Jug Band sparked interest among the Black and White communities. Ironically, the harmonica has often surrounded the history of American oppression. The harmonica eventually made it's way up North to Chicago, where it helped define the Chicago Blues sound of artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Paul Butterfield, and Willie Dixon. In the 60s and 70s, the harmonica would find its way into classic rock and still can be found in contemporary music. Without further ado, here are some of the most influential harmonica players of our time.

#1 - Sonny Boy Williamson II - From Robert Johnson and Elmore James to The Yardbirds and the Band, Sonny Boy Williamson played with them all. This is Eyesight To The Blind, which was later covered by The Who for their rock opera "Tommy."



#2 John Lennon - A brilliant songwriter and eccentric artist, John Lennon also happened to be a pretty good harmonica player. The opening bars of the Beatles first #1 hit, "Love Me Do," features a bluesy harmonica progression. John played the harmonica in several other early Beatles songs including, Please Please Me, From Me To You, I Should Have Known Better, I'm A Loser,and later on in Rocky Raccoon.



#3 Robert Plant - Four words - Bring It On Home.



#4 Bob Dylan - A friend of my felt that his style is rather sloppy. Still he's been a major influence to numerous musician's and folky blues style is good to listen to.



#5 Neil Young - He doesn't just play the harmonica. He speaks through it and he has a fair, share of beautiful harmonica solos. My personally favorite would have to be from "My My Hey Hey."



#6 - John Popper - One of the more contemporary harmonica players, he first caught my attention at the end of Kingpin. You've probably heard of his band, The Blues Travelers, best known for, "Run Around", and "Hook." Anyway, John Popper is one of the best modern harmonica players out there so check him out.



So check out these cool harmonica bits and let me know what you think.

This has been Ian K Feldman speaking words of wisdom.