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From: snarkus
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  • Some of the best harpin chops I have herd..That boy must run 5 miles a day.Wow

  • One of the most awesome musicians I have ever heard in my life! New Blood rocks!

  • hollyshit he's making love with the harp!!!

  • A great player, but BLUES as I learned to love it: Muddy, Walter, Span..was INTERACTION: Everyone playing their asses off TOGETHER: Short phrases w/lots of 'holes' for the other guy to get his ideas in, listening to each other , mingling ideas, a communal sound,never just a band 'backing up' the star or the soloist. I actually feel SORRY for JR's band, playing the same generic riff OVER & OVER, so that the audience doesn't get their attention diverted from JR showing us how great he is.

  • You are so awsome! such a great insperation-source to me! thanks for posting all these videos!

    cheers from sweden!

  • no knees left . .

  • He must be the hell of a great lover!

  • Jason is a Vela Pulsar

  • what did he do at 1:55? just blow into the mic realy hard? sounds like derek trucks palm muting before striking a note

  • Jason, do you sing too? What? Won't you be my neighbor?

  • Saw this guy in Belgium earlier this year. he blew(get it?) me away! The funny thing was that during a guitar solo (or was it a drum solo, can't remember) he walked into the crowd to ask for a cigaret.. This guy sure has no astma!!! Jason Ricci Blows!!!!!!

  • Humanity Hails & Honours Harp's Herculean Hero.

    Hopelessly Humbly, HS13

  • This vid demonstrates many things that I admire Jason for:

    1. Incredible Speed

    2. Incredible endurance (My mouth gets tired after about for minutes of normal blues playing and he... well...)

    3. Knocking out those strange notes at places were nobody expects them and nobody ever thought of placing them and totally freaking you out by doing so! See 5:35, for instance

    Only to mention a few things.

  • Agreed MS. And there's a mind-bending classical gem from 4:45-5:18 ... does anyone know what that is? Why on earth is JR not as globally famous as Hendrix ... 'cos surely he's the equivalent.

  • He definately is!! :D

    That gem sounds somewhat irish. As soon as I get a Eb harp I'll figure it out!

  • 6:00 when the band kicks back in seriously wow !

  • I came across this by chance-awesome man, and its not just a load of notes, it really gets you in the gut like some of Hendrix's solos. As a harp player myself this has definatley given me new inspiration .Tthanks

  • Nobody! And I mean nobody can touch this guy...

  • Caught him in Florida. One of the best I've heard in years and years. If you get the chance, go see him. Worth a babysitter, trust me.

  • which harp key is he playing? Db?

  • Harp in Eb

  • Just recently discovered this incredible player. Have checked out many of his other YouTube clips and will surely go out and buy some CDs. He brings a whole new array of sounds and blistering technique to the instrument that is both original and mind blowing! Please come to NY soon and I'll gather my troops to go see you for sure.

    And thanks for being so generous about sharing your technique and equipment setup elsewhere on YouTube...very unassuming and shows a lot of class.

  • DVESam: Occasionally, Jason and the Boys come to Terra Blues downtown NYC...depends on 'where' in NY you're talking about. They've played upstate as well. Terra works for me. Keep track of his gig list (on his website). But don't bring too many people to Terra..last time it was SRO and we could barely get in the door! lol - at least for the first set - of course he's still going strong until the wee hours :) You HAVE TO see him in person. Their Live shows are brilliant.

  • That sounds like electric guitar! Incredible!

  • I saw Jason Ricci and New Blood a few weeks ago live here in Pa. He was freakin' AMAZING! The entire audience sat there with our jaws dropping b/c we were stunned and amazed by his harmonica skills. The BEST that I have EVER heard. I'm still begging Jason to come back so I could hear him live again.

  • Comment removed

  • when you post a vid of you playing better harp than ricci, you can come back and try again.

  • I'll film it as soon as I have the time.

  • ..and with his 300 days + on the road, how do you know he doesn't play what you call 'some real blues'? You have no clue about this band, do you, or Jason's origins with Junior Kimbrough? This is one taped video out of a 4-hour set. Eh...as if you know anything about harmonica ;)

  • I've been on the road myself and it doesn't exactly create the blues, unless you play with a shitty band or something. I've played 5 hour shows and play the same when I end as when I started. and I do know a little bout the harp. I've played with BB king himself and he told me I was one of the best he's ever heard. ;)

  • well, technically, this was from a ridiculously short 1/2 hour set. that's the way the organizers ran the event.

    i'd note, too, that one needn't play at jason's level to have an opinion about his music. i certainly have strong opinions about all kinds of musicians that i couldn't hope to equal if i lived to be a thousand.

  • Im pretty sure a normal human would have already blacked out from such irregular breathing

  • Dude, You give me chills.

    Salsa Cow

  • wow, amazing

  • too freaken right!

  • terrific. five stars. just got an album (Rocket #9) from a Cairo Egypt blues concert (he wasn't there) and will spend time listening to it. Kudos!

  • To the Folksinger...the brand new Album: Done with the Devil is now available (as of last week). It's stellar. You should like it as much as Rocket No. 9.

  • I will definitely check it out. Thanks.

  • Does anyone no what key he's playing in?

  • I think it is Bb, on an Eb harmonica

  • to monkeystalk/johnnycardy: yes, Jason said it early on in this posting: an Eb diatonic, played mostly in Bb cross... :)

  • NIIIICE

  • Great !!! I am a friend of Christelle , she's my favorite harp player ! Now, you both are my fav' !!!

  • went n saw him last night at the key palace theater n have to say the most talented performer i have ever seen go bck any day

  • Got to see him last night. It was worth being late for work today Awesome

  • where can i find this "satan" you speak of? :D

    UNbelieveable how jason can play harp.

  • Holy God.  You, my friend, are a virtuoso. Now, How many souls did you have to sell to satan before he taught you that?

  • Just one

  • Nice

  • Must say, that was one hell of a deal.

  • This must be the 20th time i've seen this. Incredible.

  • Steve Vai + Harp + Soul = Ricci!

    my opnion is that, my friend, is THE best solo I have ever seen amongst ALL music!!!

    simply stunning...

  • You got a new fan wow, and wow and then wow some more :-O That blues harp playin could out do any blues singer, soulfull, sweet and mmmmm mmmmmmmm mmmmmmmm......if i ever get a record deal I am sooo hiring you ha

  • jason ricci blows

  • only in the literal sense

  • That's not even possible is it? Summovabitch!

  • wow! that was friggin top notch blues! so intense all the hair on my arms stood up!

  • Hey Jason, I commented on one of your videos a couple days ago asking what harmonica I should get first. Anyway, I checked out this video - and I wanted to say you guys rock. I've been trying to find some different kind of music to listen to for a while, something unique. And this is just great. Thanks, man.

  • I have a great little video I took yesterday of Jason performing with Walter Trout at the Ottawa BluesFest. Just wondering if I should post it (for fear of copyright issues).

    Any advice?

  • Some say Smurfs are blue, man o man you bleached them away.

    Jason-san you are the blues...

  • i can play silent night and a few simple tunes

    and i will never be able to play like this guy.

    but to all the brothers out there who are like me, just enjoy playing.

    peace and love to all my brothers.

  • I see it a little bit different than my previous speaker: one day I am going to be that easy on harp as you are.

    But for now: Everytime I get the thinking that I'm a good harpist, I just have a look on videos like this and I get to practice...

    You are awesome!!! And an inspiration of course!!!

  • i have been playing for 3 years and theirs no way ill ever be that good

  • Woahhhh :P

    Now that's what I call a harpist and a half haha :P

    Nice work! :D

  • The Jimi Hendrix/Charlie Parker of blues harp!

  • amazing!

  • wena washo !!!

    love you guy

    see on tub: chalberk, vikol, el cruce, johnny blues, leo enry, diabluz, all great chilean harp men.

    from chile, ZEBRA

  • Inspiring and depressing all at the same time. Inspiring to see that kind virtuoso muscianship on an instrument that often doesn't get enough respect. Depressing, because an a beginner/intermediate player I could practice 8 hours a day for the rest of my life and i won't even get close to this level of brilliance. I've heard the future of the harp. It's Jason Ricci.

  • if i played the harp i would quick and surrender...you are the iggy pop and mc5 of the harp, its about time somebody got some balls and took this type of music to the next planet, may the force be with you rmr.jason, lets make a film

  • dam this guy is good~!

  • I put you in my faves I hope it draws some links Bill

  • Nice work your playing sounds like my own, a little

    Your all over the map, and giveing the people a great show,

    hearing you blow your head off. Im impressed...

    Five stars ***** bill from seattle

    ps I started back 67, and went to the first Ann Arbor Blues fest. and meet all the giants.

  • Jason,

    I see that you are coming to Parkersburg, WV on May 29. Awesome. We gotta hang out some, maybe go over to the net down the street and partake of their micro beer.

  • Jason, this is and isn't on topic but I had to tell you today I found out you're going to be coming here to the Mt. Baker Blues Festival in August (Western Washington state). I told the wife today that we will absolutely be there. I'm so friggin' happy about this! keep on jammin'

  • steve vai has some new competition ^^

  • oh, right.. lol :D

  • I'm walking around with the thought of "overdrive/distortion on harmonica" - is that possible?

  • your hearing it!

  • He reminds me of a hyper Sugar Blue. Got the chops and some fine techniques but less can be more at times. The late Paul deLay oozed total emotion. Anyway, good luck to him.

  • Yeah, I'd like to see you play one thing like that.

  • After 40 years of playing I just might be able to..I still think Jason is good just a little to busy for me..so you can remove the hair from your ass now.JC

  • Nice Comment man, but when you actually GET somewheres, and can actually show me you can somewhat play, I will listen better. Music is scales, and when I hear you, I just hear NOISE

  • Go to funky harmonica Paul Lassey.. as a Frenchman you will appreciate this guy..sorry bout being a NOISE..just got my thoughts.Are you a good harp player? JC

  • Look man, I am a kid, so I am not the best, but I can play if you heard me. Yes, you are nice player, but I am very upset that you just go, just scales. What are you doing? Seriously now.

  • I posted a Comment that's ok here isn't it.. just cuz it was'nt what you wanted to read is your problem I still believe less is more when it comes to the blues harp.JC

  • It is people like you that don't believe in the advancement of the Harp for modern styles, that is why we are stuck still in the fourties.

  • Maybe..what do I know..the kids have all the answers.JC

  • Yeah if it was your way we'd be too stuck in the past, harmonica needs to be better. Howard Levy is doing it now, too. Just look at what is done with the Harmonica now that wasn't when you were young. Don't try to stop it.

  • You are starting to sound real stupid..nothing new now just a different day..always been great harp players around.JC

  • Nothing new huh? I definitely heard Jasons playign in fifties. whatever man. goobye

  • I have several works of Little Walter. My favorite man is Butterfield. I a not saying you are wrong, but, it is advancement, and doing what Jason does is not easy. He is extremely intelligent and knows IT.

  • We're both right..and Butterfield was great and Jason's to far behind him.JC

  • Oh yeah man, I agree, Paul was pretty bad after Better Days. Jason already had the drug/drinking problem, got over it, sober like nine years. Hope it stays that way.

  • Zack: 1/Levy plays any chromatic tone, any scale, any chord progression, any key, on ONE Marine Band. That's a bit beyond playing a lot of notes real fast on a 3-chord blues,(& often on just 1 chord), don't you think? 2/ "Howard's doing it now, TOO" ? "It's not like when you were young"? HOLD ON! Howard -mastered- his concept by '76, (probably earlier; that's when I first heard him),THIRTY-FOUR YEARS AGO. (Jason was 4.) I haven't heard heard anything that even comes close since.

  • This section, at least, is -not- a song. It's more correctly a 'cadenza', an extended improvised solo section. Originally a classical device, it was popular with the 'heavy' rock acts of the late 60s early 70s, when even the bassist & drummer got solos. Now it's big w/biues artists. I also prefer songs, crisp punctuating riffs, & solos built from shorter phrases, that allow the band to accent, highlight,& interact . But you can't argue taste.

  • im am just shocked how good he is, unbelievable.......

  • wtf

  • Jason is the shizzle, baby!!

  • I just got back from The Busted Lift in dub. ia. Jason you are much more better live, I've been diggin your lessons and tunes here d a soooo glad you got to dubuque and that I was there. realy enjoyed Driften and Driften. Thanks you are an inspiration.

  • Very nice playin.... Nothing too critise too much... a few bum notes... but over all playin.. those were wrote off! Very very good!

  • Ok, so I've always said that John Popper plays too many notes...I still do. This however, this....Jason definitely played many more notes, but...but this WAS so much more!! Each note had "IT" behind it. Incredible tone, breath control and definitely an incredible composition! Thanks for sharing!

  • aahhh HarpDr - another one who 'gets it'. Awesome. Whenever I read a comment like yours, it makes me want to sing: 'And another one gone, another one gone, another one bites the dust' ;) It'd be so nice if some of those on a certain harp list could understand what you now hear..those who still seem to believe that any fast harp player is just blowing notes and 'going nowhere'. While true for some, they seem to miss just what it is Jason manages to achieve: total control and sheer brilliance.

  • As a highly proficient player fronting rhythm section, or trading longer phrases with another lead instrument, all you say is true. Nonehtheless, the great bluesmen tend to play less notes and in shorter phrases, leaving room for similarly sparse contributions of the other players, a 'weaving' of the musicians, if you will. The best Chicago blues is collective improvisation. No one would claim to play old style New Orleans jazz it, but it's been forgotten by the heirs of Chicago style.

  • that's: " ...jazz -without- it.." Sorry.

  • better than ever man, kickass!

    come to San Francisco!!!

  • F***ing hell!!!

  • lets work it out

    that ole sol is nice

    mid night sun

    we party something evil

  • Bloody Good Show with Lee @ 99 come 2 alaska I wouldnt miss a mid night sun summer 4 anything, Forest Fair @ Girdwood Mt.Aleeska July 4-7 Must c Homer Maxcinees @ Girdwood saw G.E.Smith with moonalice there last year much much more lots of visitors come summer The Energy from the Sun is #1 The Sea Food is the Best And Moneys good Im going 2 talk 2 my friend Danny A Way Up North North 2 Alaska A Way hows that drummer doin on that cracker jack special?
  • I'd love to go!!!

  • Great video! Jason Ricci is one of the best harp players there is or ever was, and I've heard most of them. I've seen him perform a few different times, and he always blows me away. Guitarski is also an amazing guitar player. Great band. Always worth seeing.

  • It's fantastic. Congratulations Jason and thanks for your music. When're you coming to argentina?...I've been taking lessons of harmonica for a year and I can say I love this instrument and music in general. And u r a great musician. G

  • Hi J, I've seen this solo live several times and listened to it countless times but I still feel the rush when you've apparently given it everything you've got and instead of taking a well deserved rest and sitting down, you kick off "Playboy" with the band in a big way. Safe travels. See you at Hodi's, D.Anderson

  • You are the King

    truly a harp player for the new millennium. I thank G-d you cannot be every where at once or i'd never work. very rarely do i exclaim out loud but when you came out of the heroics into a straight shuffle i screamed .FEEL,INVENTION,EXECUTION.swee­t

  • This is seriously too sweet!!! I SERIOUSLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO HANDLE COOMENT LIKE THIS! Thanks so much for getting it and hope we can hang soon...

    J

  • Let me know when in Vegas, I'll be there work and or money permitting.

  • That was the most insane harp playin I have ever seen/heard! WOW! See you at the Martini Bar

  • Hey man. Just me again. Tell me again when you are comin' out this way in December. We'll blow some windows out with some straight up stuff.

    Now------------- Blow your horn kid !!

    JLR

  • Jean "Toots" Thielemans, eat your heart out boy !!! Jason = Great, Greater, Greatest.

  • wowie wowie wow wow!! I like that hair and my oh my you can sure play.  I'd like to get together so you can show me the overblow which I never have learned since i play Cahrlie Mccoy type style.

    see ya

    donnie hendrix-

  • this guy make me feel push my level now.

  • Yep!,nuff said:)

  • If you played most of the notes in this solo down an octave.....it would be even more superlative.

    Keep on rockin' on

    Love The Guitar Man

  • Most of it is in the first octave it's a pretty high harp (Eb) Thanks for watching!

    J

  • oh, alright.

  • Thanks, Jason, for that thoroughly intimidating exhibition of your blisteringly quick playing and crazy breath control on those sustains.

    I fully would have expected to you have an embolism after a solo like that, but somehow you STILL had gass left in the tank.

    Someday I'll have to catch your act live.

    Any chance you'll be touring through Ottawa any time soon?

  • jarejewl: I've no doubt you mean well, but IMHO (and as a long time friend of Jason's), playing his music in any octave other than those he chooses would make him sound like other players, and not Jason Ricci. He has a superb ear for what works. He's been doing this a very long time. As good as this video is, nothing's quite like being at his Live shows. Come out to see him. You won't be disappointed.

  • Are you playing Diatonic or Chromatic? What key is this on??

  • Eb diatonic mostly being played in Bb cross....thanks

    J

  • Ok, Ive watched this video once a month or so ago but I guess I didnt pay enough attention. This is RIDICULOUSLY good.

  • i never get tired of this vid. im going to go see him today, which is awsome

  • amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! harmonica rocker:)

  • cool hes like an emo playing the blues. nah just kidding hes like a rocker on the harmonica, which he probably is

  • Fantastic!And it shows how important overblows are if you want a modern sound!

  • AWESOMEE

  • this guy blows.... his harmonica... he he

  • lol

  • Jason Ricci should be mentioned in the same breath as Little Walter and James Cotton and all of the other greats. His techniqe and tone are amazing. Thanks for posting.

  • no problem

  • Thing is..I've been to so many of his shows, and he does THIS...EVERY time...turns it on for every audience, and plays his heart out for hours! No one hour set...Jason will begin at 10 and go on till 2a.m...it's truly unbelievable. He'll play at this level if only one person was left in his audience. He's truly incredible (so is the rest of his band, New Blood)...and yes, he does skateboard :) Elizabeth

  • ive sent an email to jules holland in the uk to ask if we can have jason on the show. lets hope we get an answer soon.

    samzie

  • You have to have plenty of energy and drive to go like that. Do you skateboard ramps and swim maybe for the extra kick you got? You've got the second wind!

  • owesome this guy is amazing

  • Wow! that was really impressive! He is like the modern Little Walter!

  • that was amazing,  the next level of modern blues harp!

  • Jeezalou! Wow!

  • Jason Ricci is now on my radar screen. Truly gifted. Thanks for posting.

  • Have Mercy !!!!!! Nothin' like you since Paul died. Tag, you're now it on my list !!!!

    JLR

  • Freaking sick awesome wild deadly nasty and very, very bad (in the good sense: as in, That Jason is one bada-- motherf---er.) I quit! --A. Gussow

  • O.O .o0O( wow )

  • Ahhhh,that's how it's done...very nice.

  • Sick,absolutely SICK !!

  • haha, Jason is my harp hero!!! Nothing coming from this guy surprises me anymore! Right on Jason!pure inspiration!!!

  • Man! I gotta see this guy! Hope to come to SPAH this year...

  • Now that's called some serious rippin' -5 stars & a fav. from me!

  • There's only one Jason!  Thanks.

  • Very cool. Thanks for the post.

  • Great great song

  • Thank you Snarkus!!!!!! Your so good to Those guys!

  • O.k.......damn....especially right around the 4:00 mark...and I've seen JRNB a few times before....but damn...Thanks Snarkus!

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