Modern Blues Harmonica 131: Ray Charles I

For the contemporary blues harp player, the soulful sounds of Ray Charles offer a wealth of inspiration. Adam Gussow shows you how he ripped the heavily syncopated piano-and-horn riff off of RC's "Rockhouse."

For a series of skill-graded harmonica instructional videos and tabs, including one on Ray's "What'd I Say," visit:

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Adam
• Gussow
• blues
• harp
• harmonica
• Ray
• Charles
• Rockhouse

[bruceengelhardt]

If I'm not mistaken, Charles borrowed the complete horn riff on "Rockhouse" from Count Basie's version of "Everyday I Have The Blues" featuring Joe Williams on vocals. Basie was a big influence on Ray Charles' arrangements and Adam does a great job of interpreting them for harp.

[KudzuRunner]

Well ya know, that may help explain why the main place I've used that riff in my own playing is when playing THAT song. I must have heard the Count B. / Joe W. version and made the connection.  Thanks for reminding me!

[paseaf]

Great!! Ray Chalres is the first Blues Musician I know. I love his music!!

His song named Booty-Butt also has a great groove!!

[MtsLoquendo]

expectacular

[akonpierre]

nice

[elbratzo]

your jamming with ray charles.

amazing

[bunko74]

you are the man..things really making sense now.

thankyou

[odelay12v]

thats whats awesome about youtube

[bluethird1]

Every video is a revelation, thank you so much Adam.

[jetekiff666]

I like the cowboy's hat behind you :D