OMG Thanks! I really do think that harmonica players should learn tongue blocking AND lip pursing if they want to mimic accurately specific voicings. Great interview!
kudzurunner: You mention Jimmi Lee,is this the one from Austin,TX.?I met him at the SPAH convention when it was here in Milwaukee,WI..Very nice man.I have 4 of his CD's.I am not a musician by any means.I have taught myself some nice blues & train stuff but I can never get the side to side either blow or draw quite right.I love playing along to different songs.Have you herd of Cadillac Pete? I just meet him this past Sunday.I played a little for him.I was so excited when he said "I'm impressed"
This was cool......listened to this song for 40 years, never tried to play it myself , and never really tried to figure out exactly what he was doing in each part , but it was really interesting to hear it "broken down".
Love when MD says about one particular lick - "no it's really simple". Maybe for you my friend....Play on!
About the comment that Adam was full of himself here....Adam was simply truly excited to be breaking the song down with the Master.... He actually covers a lot of ground without it taking all night on the phone call. Great harp players like Adam listen well. I was blessed... Jimmy Cotton taught me a couple riffs in Boston and said I was a good listener ....not I was a good student ! It took me years to understand that.... Bravo Mr. Gussow..... Your knowledge of every note, chord and technique h
Started blowing harp when I was in 7th grade after listening to KAAY "Mighty 1090 am radio" from Arkansas thru the radio in the 1960s.
Grew up in small midwest twn where @ Grinnell College in 1966-67 Paul Butterfield Blues Band played. Snuck backstage/listened w/kid wonder @ the Chicago Blues and Butterfield's harp. Vowed I'd learn "work song" and I did! Walked to bball practice @ 6am I'd play harp on cold/lonely&dark st. Magic Dick & Lee Oskar, thx 4 your inspiration too
I was lucky enough to play on a bill once with J. Geils Bluestime, featuring Magic Dick & J. Geils. Magic Dick was a great guy, without an iota of ego. Here he explains "Whammer Jammer" in great technical detail.
This Kudzu character yaps like a toothless mutt while Dickie's gotta wait for him to finish~! Buy the Paul Butterfield DVD & book regarding harp playing. Kudzu is so wrapped-up with himself, secrets, jive & "modernity" that he's lost it. Get a low harp, B flat, A or G tuning, bends easier and listen to the old stuff, AND practice AND practice.
There are no shortcuts to creative musicality, whether its woodwinds or guitars...practice, expansion with better players, practice and public performance. Everyone will tell you that. Magic Dick wasn't an "overnight" success! He blew his noids out for years, cross-pollination with horn arrangements like Roy Eldridge and others. Get out there and practice til your brains fall out. As Paul Butterfield always said, never blow hard blow easy and use a mike or tin can for volume.
I agree with everything you've said EXCEPT the final sentence. I blow hard. I played with a guy named Mr. Satan who played hard as heck. It's in my blood. But you're right about MD. He's a horn player. One of the best (and unacknowledged) comping harp players ever. His solo on "Icebreaker" is amazingly spare and hip. No other harp player phrases like that.
@KudzuRunner With ya there on blowin hard(it can be hard on the harps ,but who cares?) I believe that there are some tones that can ONLY be accomplished by blowing hard . James Cotton was one of my first influences and He's a hurricane!
Low notes,and the rhythem.Comprimise! Remember words from John Lee =If any one has the rhino's "Balls" To get up on this stage AND trys any instrument !Clap applaud them! Because we all started somewhere.
"I play for the harp to talk" Not Greed or Fame.And when its time to go it feels good.I enjoy playing songs that have a meaning to it.
Never blow your brins out with out a mike because you hear more then your audience.Now i see some dudes using foot peddles.Delay gadget's now days its easier.When you need to practice listen to Sonny Boy 1 also without a doubt the "Man" Little Walter" if you appear on a rogue blast ask the band what key they are playing in? Then you play 5 down from that.Also when you play double or triple harps,talk to the other harp players and come to a agreement who is going to do the High notes,
Hello, reader. If you started reading this, don't stop or else. I hate people who post these kind of comments but.... Post this to 16 videos in 30 minutes and promise your self to never listen to these kind of comments or make one up. But this one is real.If you don't post this, a boy with no head or legs will show up in ur room at midnight kill you. Everyone will forget u. start posting. the timer will start as soon as you finish reading this. yes I do hate these coments
MD was nice enough to speak with me on the phone for more than two hours; this interview is part of the second hour. There's a 45-minute full-length version available as a free download on my website, modern blues harmonica (dot) com.
Yes, I remember "sno-cone." Fantastic solo. MD has a unique way of phrasing.
This song was one of the greatest songs of J-Geils Band. Peter Wolf helped sell it with the fast talkin intro. MD played this like no one else in the universe. Man, What a Classic! I used to see them around BR, and NO, La. Miss 'em Put em in the Hall of Fame Dammit!
Once again the greatness of Magic Dick is shown. Holy moly, that guy is a wizard on the stick! Great stuff and I wish there was more out there about his talents! Geils for the Hall of Fame!!!!!
Hi Adam, thanks a lot for sharing this great conversation you had with Magic Dick. I downloaded the whole thing and have listened to more than once. Very fun for a harp player to listen to. It's like being privy to something you really shouldn't be able to hear! Made me feel like a real insider! Very cool! And I appreciate it...!
I was lucky to have seen J.Geils and Dicky back in the mid seventies down here in Charlotte and hearing Whammer Jammer live was riveting!!!...It was great to hear how some of this tune came from Sonny Boy's Bye Bye Bird, i never made this deduction...I had a feeling he was mostly tongue blocking and pretty much learned it that way, but still struggled with getting the opening rhythms correct..You rule buddy and many thanks for your contributions!!!
Another big thanks for this. Hope that you got to see the rest of the 'Harmonica Documentary' clips and my Fred Astaire version of 'Whammer Jammer'. Curiously, MD didn't mention Fred's version at all. Perhaps he's jealous of his dancing. Still, MD made a pretty good stab at the song, in my opinion.
Minutes add up.I have a plan that doesn't give free minutes till 9pm.What about tongue blockin on the intro,(like left side 1 hole blow) instead of blowin 3 and 2?
WHATEVA!I need to revamp my style..it's worth it, MAN! I know this is historical and rare to get in on such a candid conversation. I love you M.D. I Love you Adam, and I love you.... youtube....doesn't everybody?
Well, I'm being a little stagey with my pain. Truth is, I'm OK with how I do that part of the song. But I clearly DO need to improve the warbles, and I'm going to start doing them the MD way.
Adam, a humble request from one of your students. Though Magic Dick was doing more tongue blocking than we might have thought, please leave your original multi part disection video of whammer jammer up. I'm trying to learn Whammer, and i can't tongue block yet. If I can get close with lip pursing, It will be a huge accomplishment for me, just a request. Anyway, awesome interview.
Adam and Magic Dick, thanks for a brilliant interview. I'm years away (if ever) from attempting Whammer Jammer. But even for a complete novice, that was fascinating.
Thanks for all of the great information that you have provided over the last year. The magic Dick interview was great. I listened to the whole thing on trade bit. Thanks again to you and dick. The triple tonguing technique is something that I have been in search of for years. Looking forward to seeing you in Huntington, WV.
Thanks to Adam for about the umpteenth cool thing he's brought to Youtube, and Magic Dick for a great song, for inspiring so many ppl to take up the harp, and for giving us his insights here.
I have had the same questions about this song for as long as i've played harp. Thanks for sharing this gem of an interview and if you speak to MD again, please pass on my appreciation. Thanks again Adam, this is one of your top three vids. Peace...
Adam I would like to thank you for all your time and effort that you have but into the past year.This small instrument has added a whole new element to my life in my fifties and I'm having a great deal of fun. And you have played a big roll in that. I could tell from the interview that you were also enjoying your time with Magic Dick . Thanks
Adam,, that is just awesomely cool. To get it straight from the man,, good for us you got the connects to do something like this. Thanks so much. Another great video.
Wow, I'm listening to the full interview downloaded from the link you provided, and this is truly valuable stuff, a great insight into technique, influences, and technical points that harp players of all levels WILL find indispensable. Thanks again and a thousand times more.
I want this video on my Xperia PLAY phone.
merlecasey13 3 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Your video is a favorite on Santo Domingo
jackiecastro410 1 month ago
OMG Thanks! I really do think that harmonica players should learn tongue blocking AND lip pursing if they want to mimic accurately specific voicings. Great interview!
clrn2mt 3 months ago
very good interview, explaining the secrets to this song :D this is real good for the history of harmonica
49skate 5 months ago
hji i øopbve tyhjre vbiofde4op casn io hjavbe4 s hjuig ?`
JePpETwintupp 6 months ago
THIS is an awesome interview.. Seeing the J Geils Band tonight in Boston.. So psyched..
KTVBOSTON 6 months ago
kudzurunner: You mention Jimmi Lee,is this the one from Austin,TX.?I met him at the SPAH convention when it was here in Milwaukee,WI..Very nice man.I have 4 of his CD's.I am not a musician by any means.I have taught myself some nice blues & train stuff but I can never get the side to side either blow or draw quite right.I love playing along to different songs.Have you herd of Cadillac Pete? I just meet him this past Sunday.I played a little for him.I was so excited when he said "I'm impressed"
rebelfan1216 8 months ago
This was cool......listened to this song for 40 years, never tried to play it myself , and never really tried to figure out exactly what he was doing in each part , but it was really interesting to hear it "broken down".
Love when MD says about one particular lick - "no it's really simple". Maybe for you my friend....Play on!
koschmar1 8 months ago
About the comment that Adam was full of himself here....Adam was simply truly excited to be breaking the song down with the Master.... He actually covers a lot of ground without it taking all night on the phone call. Great harp players like Adam listen well. I was blessed... Jimmy Cotton taught me a couple riffs in Boston and said I was a good listener ....not I was a good student ! It took me years to understand that.... Bravo Mr. Gussow..... Your knowledge of every note, chord and technique h
StellarChi 1 year ago
I'm 58 today.
Started blowing harp when I was in 7th grade after listening to KAAY "Mighty 1090 am radio" from Arkansas thru the radio in the 1960s.
Grew up in small midwest twn where @ Grinnell College in 1966-67 Paul Butterfield Blues Band played. Snuck backstage/listened w/kid wonder @ the Chicago Blues and Butterfield's harp. Vowed I'd learn "work song" and I did! Walked to bball practice @ 6am I'd play harp on cold/lonely&dark st. Magic Dick & Lee Oskar, thx 4 your inspiration too
ncbmullan 1 year ago
@ncbmullan: You're welcome. I'm honored to have been a part of your journey.
KudzuRunner 1 year ago
09:16 "pretty simpel" Dick says... hahahahaha
xraylax 1 year ago
I can't locate that 45 minute interview
forgiven1977 1 year ago
This is very cool - never knew this. Love the band - Peter & Magic Dick you ROCK!
wjv4me 1 year ago
I was lucky enough to play on a bill once with J. Geils Bluestime, featuring Magic Dick & J. Geils. Magic Dick was a great guy, without an iota of ego. Here he explains "Whammer Jammer" in great technical detail.
drummike46 1 year ago
This Kudzu character yaps like a toothless mutt while Dickie's gotta wait for him to finish~! Buy the Paul Butterfield DVD & book regarding harp playing. Kudzu is so wrapped-up with himself, secrets, jive & "modernity" that he's lost it. Get a low harp, B flat, A or G tuning, bends easier and listen to the old stuff, AND practice AND practice.
goatbashing 1 year ago
Great interview! Thanks for posting!
designermite 1 year ago
There are no shortcuts to creative musicality, whether its woodwinds or guitars...practice, expansion with better players, practice and public performance. Everyone will tell you that. Magic Dick wasn't an "overnight" success! He blew his noids out for years, cross-pollination with horn arrangements like Roy Eldridge and others. Get out there and practice til your brains fall out. As Paul Butterfield always said, never blow hard blow easy and use a mike or tin can for volume.
zombyzapper 1 year ago
@zombyzapper
I agree with everything you've said EXCEPT the final sentence. I blow hard. I played with a guy named Mr. Satan who played hard as heck. It's in my blood. But you're right about MD. He's a horn player. One of the best (and unacknowledged) comping harp players ever. His solo on "Icebreaker" is amazingly spare and hip. No other harp player phrases like that.
KudzuRunner 1 year ago
@KudzuRunner With ya there on blowin hard(it can be hard on the harps ,but who cares?) I believe that there are some tones that can ONLY be accomplished by blowing hard . James Cotton was one of my first influences and He's a hurricane!
reyjalapeno 1 week ago
Low notes,and the rhythem.Comprimise! Remember words from John Lee =If any one has the rhino's "Balls" To get up on this stage AND trys any instrument !Clap applaud them! Because we all started somewhere.
"I play for the harp to talk" Not Greed or Fame.And when its time to go it feels good.I enjoy playing songs that have a meaning to it.
harp35jams 1 year ago
Never blow your brins out with out a mike because you hear more then your audience.Now i see some dudes using foot peddles.Delay gadget's now days its easier.When you need to practice listen to Sonny Boy 1 also without a doubt the "Man" Little Walter" if you appear on a rogue blast ask the band what key they are playing in? Then you play 5 down from that.Also when you play double or triple harps,talk to the other harp players and come to a agreement who is going to do the High notes,
harp35jams 1 year ago
There are two ways to do it! With the tongue and without plus pratice and heart.
Harp players check out Magic's song on Monkey Island called "i'am not rough"
harp35jams 1 year ago
Maguic dick on the lickin stick. This man is an icon in our music industry and will take em all to school!!!!!
8675tree09 2 years ago
Hey, amazing interview, answers questions I have had for years. Thanks! MD is one of the modern masters!
rondo365 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
is he JUST referring to harmonica?...I mean,2 blows 2 sucks sounds just about right to me
Syzygy60 2 years ago
hahaha MAGIC DICK!!!! hahahaha
WamjamJeff 2 years ago
I agree (no offence) id hate to have that name. lol
BACKBONEBAND1 2 years ago
best rhythm & blues band ever...i remember sno-cone its on their first album
JxT1957 2 years ago 5
Sno-Cone is one of my favorite bits of Magic Dick playing.
KudzuRunner 2 years ago
Play it how you feel it....Been workin this in my head for years....
breemdog 2 years ago
Thanks
fishologist 2 years ago
So Wonderful for you to question This Master and then Share with US!!!
Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Danny Guitar Rogers
djrogers1989 2 years ago
southside shuffle one of theri best
amylee4e 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hello, reader. If you started reading this, don't stop or else. I hate people who post these kind of comments but.... Post this to 16 videos in 30 minutes and promise your self to never listen to these kind of comments or make one up. But this one is real.If you don't post this, a boy with no head or legs will show up in ur room at midnight kill you. Everyone will forget u. start posting. the timer will start as soon as you finish reading this. yes I do hate these coments
DUFFMAN1797 2 years ago
Not as much movement as I'm used to...Do you jnow anyone named Labno?
yuppdatsme 2 years ago
Magic Dick can talk It always seemed like they took him flight case and then he went back after the gig.
To me this like having Hendrix discussing his settings and fingering.
Thanks to who got the interview and to whom ever posted it.
"Whammer Jammer Dicky"
Remember Snowcone?
vfgproductions 2 years ago
MD was nice enough to speak with me on the phone for more than two hours; this interview is part of the second hour. There's a 45-minute full-length version available as a free download on my website, modern blues harmonica (dot) com.
Yes, I remember "sno-cone." Fantastic solo. MD has a unique way of phrasing.
KudzuRunner 2 years ago
Wow-never heard this...very cool! J. Geils
Band (w/Peter Wolf) ROCK! Come back and tour dudes!
wjv4me 2 years ago
damn, I'm a lip purser, no wonder I'm having such a tough time with this
fattrucker01 3 years ago
this isnt about whammer jammer, its a great song dont get me wrong, but do you have 'you're the only one' its from the monkey island album???
2000s10man 3 years ago
No, I don't know that song.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
aww. i think its one of j. geils best. its the last song on that album and is often overlooked.
2000s10man 3 years ago
Harp geeks gettin' off to this....
randomstuff3201 3 years ago
i have a feelin that if the j geils band r inducted in the rrhof they will reunite
yogurt96 3 years ago
I think you're right. I saw them in 1999 during their reunion tour--Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel. They were fantastic.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
This song was one of the greatest songs of J-Geils Band. Peter Wolf helped sell it with the fast talkin intro. MD played this like no one else in the universe. Man, What a Classic! I used to see them around BR, and NO, La. Miss 'em Put em in the Hall of Fame Dammit!
jscoolcrw 3 years ago
I'd just love to know how he does that middle part of the song it almost sounds like someone howling or a siren even. It's too cool!
CarCrazy12804 3 years ago
I'm sure that he's simply making a descending "Whooooooooooo!" sound, as one would imitating a siren, straight into his cupped hands and harp.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
Once again the greatness of Magic Dick is shown. Holy moly, that guy is a wizard on the stick! Great stuff and I wish there was more out there about his talents! Geils for the Hall of Fame!!!!!
Magnum2525 3 years ago 5
Hi Adam, thanks a lot for sharing this great conversation you had with Magic Dick. I downloaded the whole thing and have listened to more than once. Very fun for a harp player to listen to. It's like being privy to something you really shouldn't be able to hear! Made me feel like a real insider! Very cool! And I appreciate it...!
sjziro 3 years ago
Glad you liked it. MD was really generous with his time and it was a treat of a lifetime for me to hang out on the phone with him.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
I love dick
darktater01 3 years ago 3
I was lucky to have seen J.Geils and Dicky back in the mid seventies down here in Charlotte and hearing Whammer Jammer live was riveting!!!...It was great to hear how some of this tune came from Sonny Boy's Bye Bye Bird, i never made this deduction...I had a feeling he was mostly tongue blocking and pretty much learned it that way, but still struggled with getting the opening rhythms correct..You rule buddy and many thanks for your contributions!!!
827otw 3 years ago 3
This is a great interview, nice one.
It kills me that I can't find any free mp3s of the Studio Whammer Jammer! Youtube, ProjPlaylist, none of em have it! Geh!
NaturesGlory 3 years ago
Wow!, fantastic, Thanks Adam!!!
resojoe 3 years ago
GREAT. Now after playing this for 30 years I have to learn it all over again ??? GREAT ! :) nice interview, Adam
HARMONIMONSTER 3 years ago
Another big thanks for this. Hope that you got to see the rest of the 'Harmonica Documentary' clips and my Fred Astaire version of 'Whammer Jammer'. Curiously, MD didn't mention Fred's version at all. Perhaps he's jealous of his dancing. Still, MD made a pretty good stab at the song, in my opinion.
colonelhall 3 years ago
I got about 8 out of 10 of these revelations!
And Thanks M.D.for hanging on the phone so long.
Minutes add up.I have a plan that doesn't give free minutes till 9pm.What about tongue blockin on the intro,(like left side 1 hole blow) instead of blowin 3 and 2?
WHATEVA!I need to revamp my style..it's worth it, MAN! I know this is historical and rare to get in on such a candid conversation. I love you M.D. I Love you Adam, and I love you.... youtube....doesn't everybody?
K
Mojokane4u 4 years ago
how depressing to hear that he was tongue blocking. i too am a lip purser, Adam and i feel your pain. great interview!
streetmd 4 years ago
Well, I'm being a little stagey with my pain. Truth is, I'm OK with how I do that part of the song. But I clearly DO need to improve the warbles, and I'm going to start doing them the MD way.
KudzuRunner 4 years ago
Dammit, I was U-blocking the intro...
shaneboylan 3 years ago
Adam, a humble request from one of your students. Though Magic Dick was doing more tongue blocking than we might have thought, please leave your original multi part disection video of whammer jammer up. I'm trying to learn Whammer, and i can't tongue block yet. If I can get close with lip pursing, It will be a huge accomplishment for me, just a request. Anyway, awesome interview.
theescondidoroad 3 years ago
I plan on leaving all my YT videos up for quite a long while, so no worries about that.
KudzuRunner 3 years ago
awesome you have really blessed us with this one
VARG1965 4 years ago
Thanks man! this is great :) my dad must hear all this
projectmayhemrocks 4 years ago
Adam! You are truely making this a better world.Thank You. JIM
petro062 4 years ago
Six stars for sure there bro!
Fineladydog 4 years ago
Adam and Magic Dick, thanks for a brilliant interview. I'm years away (if ever) from attempting Whammer Jammer. But even for a complete novice, that was fascinating.
theescondidoroad 4 years ago
Cool interview Adam. Thanks for this.
HarpLips 4 years ago
wao..thanks!
Comuna 4 years ago
Thanks for all of the great information that you have provided over the last year. The magic Dick interview was great. I listened to the whole thing on trade bit. Thanks again to you and dick. The triple tonguing technique is something that I have been in search of for years. Looking forward to seeing you in Huntington, WV.
revskags 4 years ago
Thanks to Adam for about the umpteenth cool thing he's brought to Youtube, and Magic Dick for a great song, for inspiring so many ppl to take up the harp, and for giving us his insights here.
jonDocjon 4 years ago
i have to get that
Erikjr21 4 years ago
Adam.
Again, you do the masters justice.
You are "Blues Glue". You bring it together.
People will look back on this for many years, and thank you for all you do to bring it home.
harpmonkey 4 years ago 2
Had been eagerly anticipating this instalment, listened to the full version - and found it was fascinating. Nice interviewing skills Adam.
Tryharp 4 years ago
Good god Man! That was cool! So simple yet so intricate.
missmymissy 4 years ago
thank you adam and magic dick for your time. I really enjoy all of your vids.Keep on coming with it. You are the man!
harpinholley 4 years ago
I have had the same questions about this song for as long as i've played harp. Thanks for sharing this gem of an interview and if you speak to MD again, please pass on my appreciation. Thanks again Adam, this is one of your top three vids. Peace...
BlueVooch 4 years ago
Wow, he makes it sound so easy- Incredible!!
This is GREAT stuff. Thank you so much Adam!
agelixir 4 years ago
Wow! Lessons from the master himself. It doesn't get any better than this folks! Thanks for sharing this Adam!
-BB
bobblunn 4 years ago
Hey Adam, that's great stuff. You sound like a little kid in a toy store.
raymor44 4 years ago
Adam I would like to thank you for all your time and effort that you have but into the past year.This small instrument has added a whole new element to my life in my fifties and I'm having a great deal of fun. And you have played a big roll in that. I could tell from the interview that you were also enjoying your time with Magic Dick . Thanks
Cheers
143patm 4 years ago
Adam,, that is just awesomely cool. To get it straight from the man,, good for us you got the connects to do something like this. Thanks so much. Another great video.
skycarl 4 years ago
so great to even hear your excitement about this moment finally becoming reality!
Mazblues 4 years ago
Ive been waiting for a long time....My goodness....Great screte revealed...
SeabluesRunner 4 years ago
Wow, I'm listening to the full interview downloaded from the link you provided, and this is truly valuable stuff, a great insight into technique, influences, and technical points that harp players of all levels WILL find indispensable. Thanks again and a thousand times more.
2HoleDraw 4 years ago
Great Great Great
I listened to the whole interview on the web site. How often do you get to hear a legend actually explaine his techniques.
Thanks Adam that was incredable.
boufgreg 4 years ago
Excellent stuff Adam, thanks. And special thanks to Magic Dick!
2HoleDraw 4 years ago
Brilliant Adam,thank you kind sir.
blopper68 4 years ago
This is great! Thanx Adam.
deweydeloe 4 years ago