urban country blues

Adam Gussow on harp and foot drums.

I'll be playing this song and others at two upcoming gigs on the East Coast:

12/23/09: New York, NY - Cornelia Street Cafe (8:30 PM; "Soul of the Blues" Festival w/Robert Ross. Please tell door-man that you came to see Adam Gussow and Robert Ross!) http://www.corneliastreetcafe.com

12/29/09: Philadelphia, PA - Rembrandt's Restaurant (7-9 PM; http://www.rembrandts.com) (blues harmonica clinic + reading/signing/performance to celebrate the republication of my 1998 memoir of life as a Harlem street musician, Mister Satan's Apprentice. For more info, visit Harmonica 411: http://www.harmonica411.com/CLINICS.html

http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• adam
• gussow
• blues
• harp
• harmonica
• urban
• country
• sonny
• terry

[rbeetsme]

Adam, lots of energy as always. Not crazy about the foot drum, is there a way to mute it a bit?

[KudzuRunner]

I'm so glad you said that. You know what? I love the foot drum. For the first time in my life, in this video, I'm just playing the music that's in me--very much as Sterling Magee played stuff that some people weren't crazy about, since it was so loud, raw, and crazed. I used to apologize for him, believe it or not. Then I realized that the only thing a musician can finally do is please himself. If others are pleased, great. If they're not crazy about it......That's them.

[camilo862]

Love this!! Adam since I know you like criticism, I think you speed up a little between 1:00 and 1:08 or so. There is something that feels a bit ankward. Thanks for the video!!

[KudzuRunner]

This is a little snippet of my d-cking around in the woodshed. It's not supposed to be a polished performance. It's the opposite of a polished performance. I'm sure it veers wildly in many directions. It's made up of a series of starts and stops.

[imgooley]

Very Sonny Terry.

[KudzuRunner]

Yes, the rhythm in the middle part is from a Sonny Terry song called "Poor Man Blues" or something like that. He plays it on a B harp--unusual key. The high note thing and the beginning and the melody in the last third are something I made up about 20 years ago. The rhythm in the last third is a different Sonny Terry rhythm from a cut called "Sonny's Squall." But yes, your ears are correct! I'm updating Sonny Terry, amped and with footdrums...........

[chicco0131]

fantastic !!!!

[Funniantix]

search for this on You tube

"Suzuki Harpmaster and Bluesmaster"

The bluesmasters are about $30.00 but worth it. Or the "promaster MR350". $45.00 each. Careful though don't get confused with the MR350v they're valved.

[kiciekoutsider]

Great. Adam playing only not talking-strange. Cheers Master!

[beefnliver]

Damn! you r great!

[missmymissy]

I started playing three years ago and I have gone through a few different types. Marine Bands just don't last as most others do not. Brass reeds just don't hold up over time. Its just the way it goes. If you spend $100 you can get a Seydel 1847. they are great harps and i have never had problems even with the brass reed types. I use the silver with steal reeds. good luck.

[alejagus]

Oh really good, your sound is like Sonny Terry!

[Drafter3]

oh, and by the way, yes i noticed the nails.. poor choice i thought, on hohners part. for ten bucks less i get a "big river" that has screws.

any suggestions on what i should look into for my next harp purchase? altho 20-30 bucks isnt that much to spend on these things, it does add up. and since this incident, im nervous to try out other harps.. and especially nervous to think about upgrading to a more expensive one.

thanks again.

[Drafter3]

cool. thanks buddy. i did return it already, kinda bummed about it tho because i have a set of cheap harmonicas, and three "big river harps". (returned the "marine band" and got a low d "big river harp". but i was thinking, hey ill get a nicer harmonica for a bit extra money, and unfortunately this purchase has kinda swayed me from wanting to invest the extra money for something nicer. ill have to research before my next purchase i guess.

the "big river harps" are pretty good i think. thanks :)

[bluesharp08]

@Drafter3 yes you have a flaw. The Marine Bands have decreased in price and in quality. The wood comb or composite is now attached with small nailes to the reed plates instead of with screws. If you try to modify it or tune it it may warp while you are working on it. It is shoddy workmanship. Take it back and get something in real wood, plastic or metal comb. The new mass production Marine Bands are no longer worth the money. In my opinion.