Canned Heat/Alan Wilson...Harmonica Review Part 1 .029

[BakedCranium]

Blind Owl is the one who pushed me to play the harp. Nver would have thought of it till I heard his amazing harp skills. Ol' Blind owl is truly a legend and I thank you for raising peoples awareness on him. Nobody ever talks about him it seems like.

[leighstephens74]

This vid went viral on La Paz

[attaboy01]

You have good taste, I too can feel it.

[KCElstun]

Simple, but not easy... a definition of the blues. Thank you.

[melonikable]

WOW!!! 

[alankingwell]

nice one ..good on ya

[innerbanks]

great music great presentation and commentary

[bobert995]

I have boogie with canned heat on vinyl and they really are a great band.

[Tsull123]

Keepin' the Heat alive! Thanks for puttin' yourself out there bro, you rule.

[whatthefuk34]

Ya knowyears ago I got this ablum and ive been playing guitar for years and love this band.And I was never a big fan of the harp but when I heard Alan on this ablum I was blown fuckin away.I new I was hearing somthig verry special.I loved it so much I played it for some of my friends and was like dude listen to this guy play the fuckin harp.Mind you none of my friends are into this kind of music.I'm not sure if it moved them the way it moved me but all I know is the world lost an amazing talent!

[fairlyfast]

Jason,

I'm so glad to hear comments from someone would know regarding Al's playing. Got this album when it first came out and have listened to the harp solo a thousand times at least. Truly a classic and so different. Not nearly enough attention has been paid to The Blind Owl. He did more with a few "simple" riffs than guys who can play a thousand notes in three seconds. You're right - feeling is so important, as is remembering that you are only part of the whole. Thanks for posting.

[2jimbarbee]

Jason great job! What a way to study the harp. Glad i came across your YT. I'm going to send this to my band.

[MORGS2809]

yo jason! absolutely frickin hair raisin stuff!! goosebumps all ova! mouth organ morgan ;O)

[sekhmetraptah]

yep...blind owl had the smoothest harp with the deepest soul and no one has been able to best him in the last half century...but i'm lost other than that

[cuneoandrew]

thanks so much for these two videos man. i am now on the hunt for some canned heat albums. i downloaded a few things but i know there is more. What a great fucking name too.

[dtolen123]

Thanks for the passion

[thekidwiththething]

i've only being playing harp for around a month now(24/7 to be honest) and this was one of the songs that made me want to get into it. I've always loved the blues and have been playing the drums for a long time but i'm so happy i picked up the harp.

Cheers for a great video man

respects to alan

benny

[bluesandmoretrio]

there's something in Mr.wilson harp mastering expecially in this song...a semplicity...almost an innocence...it scares me, because it carries an incredible power...mixed with..maybe...fear. I can't explain.

Andrea and the B&M Trio express their appreciacion for your effort, Jason!

[bluesandmoretrio]

ahah...look at your face when u're listening to Alan!

and..guess what??

Saturday night, the 24th of april, year 2010, after a duo gig, me and my guitarist, goin' back home. guess who i was listening to?? At 4 A.M. in the morning i was making the same faces of yours...and i've heard to that song one million time before!

[HelenCeee]

hi jason

Just discovered this ! thought I was the only person who raves over Al Wilson and that classic lineup with Henry Vestine just love your energy /excitment . Not a harmonica player but I'd love to see you do a version of the Owl Song from boogie with Canned Heat album - that track has haunted me for 40 years . Thanks again made my day !

[crystalcity74]

The fast part you are talking about right at the end is also done very well on this song i have -I'd rather be the devil- from a live recording at the toponga corral its worth a listen

[snubbs741]

this review convinced me to go out and buy a harp 6 months ago

blind owl is the man after you explained all the subtleties to his harp playing i had to learn how to do that!

of course i haven't yet

[1994g0]

Hey Jason.How ya` doin` buddy.Great to see how many people are inspired by

your Alan Wilson video.I still say: Alan Wilson was the greatest harp man ever-even better than Little Walter.What a genius Alan was.

[kauipaul]

It's a shame, but Larry Taylor had quit the band before they recorded this session. He and Henry had some issues. He and Alan however, were the heart and soul of that group. To this day, Larry is 'the' monster for 'feel' 'groove' and 'drive' For blues and boogie walking bass lines, his talent is nothing less than spectacular. Alan's death was a great loss.

[danilomarrone]

Hi Jason, Thanks for sharing this amazing video and song and turning me on to Alan Wilson. He was absolutely brilliant.

[jasonricci]

Th blind owl did rule hard!

[gibbycore]

Hey Jason,i downloaded this album after watching your video. i dig canned heat but had only bought one of their albums. Alan was a great harp player. i love his sound.i know you say that during his solo that he switched to a G, but have you ever tried it on a low F? I'd like to know what you think.

[jasonricci]

Sure you could play some of it (The part where he switched) on a Low F but you wont get those same inflections Alan got here because of the bends that are idiosyncratic and intrisic to 3rd position. Glad I contributed to the sale of a canned heat record!

J

[gibbycore]

Thanks for the insight Jason. I'll keep practicing that part on my G harp. I saw you and the band at Callahan's a couple of months ago. I bought your cd ( I also downloaded "do the hip shake" off of emusic.)and we talked a bit about Lee Oskar,chromatics and diatonics. You and the band are awesome. I'll see you again when you get close to Michigan and I'll bring some friends. Thanks for the reply, Gilbert

[harpcyclone]

Damn Right Jason!

[ryancole90]

Jason...I love this review

[barflew]

On the road again is playing in my mind 24/7 since the first time I heard it ..... I hope like hell it'll never stop and stay with me after death.

[DiamondSoul]

Jason... YOU got big ears man. I am a massive Alan Wilson fan, and you've nailed it... "Something else died too" Much agreed there, Canned Heat died when Alan did in my mind.

Hey, much props from this fan, I loved your playing and I love the fact that you've incorporated the Blind Owl into your lessons. Thanks man, and have a great weekend!

I have learned tons from your lessons, they are fantastic!

[shotgunartscene]

Jason this record has been a major influence on my playing too. I love to boogie. The really cool thing is I often get to play [even toured 4 times]with James T. [a prolific songwriter & an excellent boogie style slide/guitar/crankin' harp player]. He spent ten years with Canned Heat & has created around 10 independent albums since living on the north east coast of Australia.

[shotgunartscene]

James Thornbury is not only 'the real thing' but a total gent. The records he's on with C.H are pretty good by the way. Especially the live one Boogie up the country, 'Gamblin' Woman, Reheated. It's not 'the Owl ' but lotta respect and James T's easy style. James is a a Lester Butler fan too and played with JLHooker and many others.Sweet F.A money and fame but a lovely family and still at it. *Nice post by the way. Thanks.

[g5uk]

you are great man...thank you

[cochsbear]

Canned Heat and The Blind Owl's solo here in particular made me start to seriously play the harmonica and begin studying with a teacher, Michael Rubin, years ago. Thanks a bunch Jason. Very unique style

"The Blind Owl remains a mystery"

yep.

Harp On!

cochs in austin

[jenzeppelin]

wonderful dedication to an amazing musician, R.I.P. Alan Wilson.  i listen to Canned Heat songs every single day.

[hammarlundhx50]

yeah ? well u aint alan wilson ,,, just a"wannabee" ....you ar to skinny ,,

[opidacul]

you are great man, I like how you apreciate music, and your playng is incredible and you inspire all of us

[djrogers1989]

HOOK AND ALAN WILSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gabrielangello]

"Hi Jason". A friend of mine who subscribes to the French Harp player -'christellester' - said she emailed him and

told him that you were the Jimmy Hendrix of the Harmonica ! After hearing some of your Jams on video, I agree with her.

'The Proffessor -'Alan Gusow' is one of the

Best I've ever heard and of course there are many greats both past and present but I think that your 'exploring New dimensions and paths that haven't yet been travelled. Keep it up, and thanks 4 Honoring BlindOwl !

[barflew]

Thanks Jason, for giving Alan the recognition that he deserves. If he can hear your playing he will be overwhelmed by your approval and admiration..... I have that Hooker n' Heat album and have worn out a mess of them and tapes trying to figure it all out.... D and G. Thats the ticket .

[1994g0]

I think Alan was every bit as good as Little Walter.Alan had the richest harp tone I`ve ever heard.What a creative genius.Excuse me, as great as Little Walter was, Alan was even greater.

[mytsigns]

Glad you posted this...forgot how great this album is. thanks

[bearkins7]

God bless you Jason you are one great guy, thanks for the tuition and the inspiration and for keeping us going, more please.

[MattHatter]

Jason I LOVE Canned Heat and I love your insight on this great band, great album, and great talent of Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson. My mom saw these guys in concert back before Al passed, probally in 1968. She was more into rootsy stuff like Canned Heat, Cream, Taj Mahal, John Mayall back than tripping out to Syd Barrett Pink Floyd, whom she liked to. I've been raised on this stuff since I was 9 years old! I'm now 32! I'd love to get in a band with someone like you guy!

[ElizabethGS]

Matt: have you seen (or heard) any of Jason's music with his band New Blood? the current CD out is 'Rocket No. 9', the new one is due out any day now...we're all waiting with much anticipation... Check out his 'Harpin' Help' on YouTube and 'Amazing Grace' (among others) under the name 'Snarkus'...then go see the band if they get to your area...you'll never regret it. Jason and the Band's performances Live are not to be believed.

Enjoy!

[djrogers1989]

Alan was IT............................­..................=

PURE FEEL ..PURE SOUL..PURE CHICAGO BLUES

He had combined everything he ever heard and

Hooker Knew He Himself was In The Presence of Greatness when he heard Alan

[kylestyron]

at the start you kind of look like the guy on American History X

[lvman101]

Jason, I love Canned Heat. Love your insight on the song and Alan Wilson's talent. Great as always Civet Cat.

[ktb1190]

im in love here. thanks .

[bitteroldbastard]

Hey Jason - how're you doing man? 'Hooker 'n' Heat' one of the most overlooked classic blues albums ever. It's a great surprise (but not a surprise at all really!) to find you chatting to us about Alan Wilson's 'big ears' - perhaps the biggest ears of all harp players?! cheers, S

[revkev]

Canned Heat and Paul Butterfield exposed me to the harp when I was 16 at the Woodstock Festival.

This solo is truly one of the greats, and I remember spending hours mastering it.

These are classics.

[johnphilipes]

I started playing the harp after listening to this album (12 years ago)!! Amazing ALAN!!! After years of breathing in my harp I studied HOOKER N' HEAT and started PLAYING my harp. I studied BOOGIE CHILLEN N° 2 exactly as you are explaining: same approach, same enthiusiasm. Great job Jason!! THANKS to you I remebered those crazy years!!! (thanks also to the Oleo Das Brudas who gave me that album as a gift for my 19 birthday!)

[dolina64]

Beautiful, thank you.

[OldWailer]

Great Vid, Jason--Thank You!

[kotmarsik]

Great! Best teacher of the world!))

[ninjaXchameleon]

great video! great song you choose there!!!

keep those videos coming, please :D

[JohnnyT68]

Saw the next video. Think i get it now.

Johnny.

[JohnnyT68]

Top vid Jason, thanks.

I'm a real novice into the harp, but really inspired by your vids. I have a novice question: you chanched from D harp to a G harp if i'm correct, but if i try to play along, the D keeps fitting in better...

Greetings from the Netherlands.

Johnny.

[Sutherland5]

This video shows just how great a musician you really are, Jason. You're a player that, as is said, comes up once in a generation and will leave a permanent mark on the history of music and so forth, and one can imagine the future harp pros doing videos in which they dissect you're amazing playing. And still you keep on listening to other musicians with genuine respect and awe, and simply look up to them. So outstandingly good and yet so humble. That, if something, is inspiring!

[jasonricci]

Thank you so so much my friend for the dear and kind words. The real thanks go to the Blind Owl (Alan). Love

J

[strawwoodclaw]

Excellent Choice - Heat & Hooker Whiskey & Woman ********* Boogie Chillun - Let that Boy BOOGIE

[rockndaddy]

Hey, I got a question for you, my guitar player wants to do with me a demo DVD couple of songs for bars and he thinks it should be done outside in a park, I say the sound would be way better if it was indoors, where do you think you would get the best sound for a camcorder indoor or outdoor. My reasoning is recording studios are indoors. I have never seen an album unless it is live done outdoors.

[jasonricci]

Totally, absolutley, Completly, 100% INDOORS. Sound is ALWAYS better indoors unless the system s TOP FLIGHT which is almost never for us bottom feeders.

Love

J

[rockndaddy]

Thank you so much for your answer!!!

[jrring]

These are a couple of my favorite videos of yours. I was a fan of Canned Heat before, but I never knew about the Hooker 'n' Heat album until I saw these 2 videos. Went right out and bought the CD and it hasn't left my cd player since. I'd love to see a series of breakdown videos, where you just go through, pick a part of the solo and break it down. Each vid would be a different part of the solo until you've gone all through it. Keep it up. And get New Blood to play in St. Louis!!!

[djon1]

Great job Jason! I would love to see you interpret his solo in On The Road Again. There is that one note that that I cant find. Is it an overblow? I heard he may have specially tuned his harp for that.

[ZackPomerleau]

Hey man, the six hole is tuned up a semitone.

[strawwoodclaw]

what a great record to pic - i played it today & had a blast with my new HG30 amp put it on full blast on the stereo with the sun blazing outside & it blew my socks - goooood stuff - thanks for the tips - more feel than chops that suits me for now - thanks

[Ledvolta]

you rock, Jason.

[leesbo55]

canned heat was one of the definitive sounds of the 60s.

[bigoldsun]

In 1967 I got my intro to the canned heat They were just up the road in santa monica. I went to see them at the kalidiscope in hollywood. Did'nt have any money to get into the show tho! For me personally I was always a bob "the bear" hite follower and favored his harp playing. Mostly because bob cooked on the high end of the harp! peace

[HeyHeyHarmonicaLuke]

hihi i play harmonica too and this is my faaavourite song. ive been bringing boogie back, people around my office have caught onto my saying "yeees-yes" which i got from John Lee Hooker.

[barflew]

Alan and the Canned Heat inspired me to play blues harp and slide. I've got 2 different versions of the Hooker And Heat session,and now I'm going to have to get them out. Great video!

[mcdookus]

Ha, Great tune and i just love your enthusiasm. Heard you playing Hip shake and it's now my ringtone. I've only been playing 18 months and play better than I ever thought I would. Peace and love. Luke

[SianReynolds]

GREAT video, Jason. Love the hair too, btw.

[glennhmartin]

Alan Wilson aka the Bind Owl was also one of the best most original rhythm and slide guitar players. He was also one of the greatest blues historians. These guys were unbelievable live. They introduced all us young white guys to the REAL blues. The great Harvey Mandel was also in Canned Heat for a time. Great video and DON'T FORGET TO BOOGIE!!!

[1994g0]

What you say about Alan is true.Might I also add that Alan was one of the most talented harmonica players and blues composers that ever lived.Furthermore, he was knowlegable about other music besides blues.This was demonstrated by his use of the tembura in the song "On The Road Again".

Alan Wilson........a genius and a sweet and sensitive human being......how Alan loved nature....Alan Wilson......may you rest in peace...we love you buddy....

[dcheekwind]

Hey Jason - your no slouch when it comes to mouth organ playing - and a real CH an AW appreciater.

I was 15 when I first heard the band in 69.

My favourite is - When Things Go Wrong - 19 minute performance on the Live At Topanga Coral album. Check it out if you can find it - the very best. (I think so anyway!)

[gregsbest]

Jason, Very interesting comments about the importance of being a great musician by being able to play off the others in the band. Thank you for pointing that out. I'm interested in hearing other mentors you've been influenced by.

Cheers, G.

[12gagedan]

"It's not based off of Little Walter licks. . .. . . . . at all." Classic. Someday when you're a big rock star and don't have time for us, we'll remember. . . Oh the times we had on youtube. . .

[mfoley59]

Jason, great vid. Blind Owl is definetly underappreciated today. Keep em coming. Mike

[JamCamp06]

Excellent lesson, Jason. And you are so right about the power of listening! Jon

[greavsie29]

wow! super cool vid.

[cypher951]

Jason I like the new 'do. My first impression is that it makes you look like a young Michael Keaton :)

See you at Billy's in Grand Rapids on the 23rd...btw the day before my birthday.

bf

[fparreiras]

Great Stuff! I like pretty much of the album "'70 Concert: Recorded Live In Europe". It's all felling, particularly "Bring It On Home". It is not much complicated and beautiful!

[hankshreve]

I have that same album. I used to listen to it all the time when I was a little kid. Alan was an excellent player. Great tone and style/phrasing. So sad that he went so soon. That was the best version of 'Boogie Chillen' ever.

[jasonricci]

Yeah baby!

[Mazraf]

Nice video, but that´s not Larry ´the mole´ taylor quit before the Hooker thing. That´s Antonio de la Barreda, Fito´s friend. Don´t forget to boogie!

[jasonricci]

I did not know that!

[belleray2]

Alan wherever you be.That was too good for a novice like me to appreciate fully but i had goosebumps and tears,sure can get emotional when the music goes right through you.Thanks to Jason for that piece of heaven.

[jasonricci]

Thank you sir!

[westchelsea]

awesome! canned heat is one of my favorites. thanks for the video.

[lozlmao]

_Amazing_. I just have to get this record :)

[DistantSoul13]

yeah great stuff keep the albums comin

[2HoleDraw]

Thanks Jason, I'm diggin' the Owl!

Tell me, did this dude mainly play acoustically (using his hands rather than cupping a mic)?

[jasonricci]

No mostly he used an amp and a bullet...Thanks for watching!

J

[schultzy06]

haha, wow, i knew there was someone else than the typical harmonica influences in your playing, but i could never place it until now

[boufgreg]

Yes! Now you getting into my generation. The Blind Owl and Jon Lee. Alan Wilson was a record collector before he started his band, but he developed his own style. His singing was something else also. Now the 60's is coming back to me. As Jim Kweskin said recently " In the 60's I used to get high and have sex all the time, now all I do is collect records".

[krizem]

Cool more great stuff, keep them coming jason, hows the weather over there at the moment still snowing?