Author: Jim Greenwald
Jelly Roll Johnson’s latest CD really is superb – the kind of disc you wouldn’t be embarrassed to give to a non harp player. I realized I’d listened to ‘Songs From The Record Room’ a dozen or more times, in every room of the house, for plain musical enjoyment. Really a different response for me – I usually whip out harps and immediately start ‘playing along’. Well, today I jumped in and started ‘studying’ this beauty. Jelly really puts on a clinic in soulful restraint, fine intonation, and timing. The funny thing is this CD has such a sense of flow and continuity to it, that it’s kind of a shock to see what a wide variety of harp ‘configurations’ he employs.
Here’s what I’ve come up with so far.
- Key To The Highway- F Bb diatonic, 2nd pos.
- Please Send me Someone To Love- A G diatonic, 3rd pos.
- In a Sentimental Mood- F C chromatic
- Hallelujah I Love Her So- G C diatonic, 2nd pos.
- Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy- G Low F diatonic, 3rd pos.
- Walkin’ After Midnight- E A diatonic, 2nd pos.
- Don’t Let The Sun Catch you Cryin’- Eb Ab diatonic, 2nd pos.
- Just For A Thrill- G C chromatic
- Busted- E, F A diatonic, B flat diatonic 2nd pos.
- Goodbye Pork Pie Hat- Eb Ab diatonic, 2nd pos.I totally agree with all the glowing reviews; this is a must have recording.
Cheers,
Staggerin’ Jim
Listen to Roots Harmonica at http://www.live365.com/stations/staggerinjim
