Tuesday, March 11, 2014

What Did You Miss This Week? (Week 349 #393)

Walking By Myself Solo!!!

"...one of the greatest harp solos ever recorded..."

Strong words of praise from Joe, but it's not just his opinion - years of research and discussion with masterful living harp players help him reach this conclusion.

If being throttled by hearing it is not enough for you, here are some cerebral reasons the solo is great:
  • Repetition - the solo leads off with great repetition that builds tension, but watch too for his repetition of ideas and chordal effects in similar bars on the two verses
  • Sonny Boy - catch the "Hortonized" Sonny Boy lick over bars 5 and 6 of the first verse
  • Focus Note change - the second verse goes to a different focus note
  • Hitting the 6 draw outside of the V chord is unusual - anyone want to argue with Horton on its use here?
  • Cool use of the chord tones 1, 3, 5 and b7 on bars 9 and 10 of the second verse
Walking By Myself solo transcription

Inspired by all the Walking By Myself conversation swirling around and responding to questions from us, B1 friend, blues historian and killer harp player Scott Dirks put together this amazing background on the recording session that led to this tune. This is a must read over on Delta Groove.

Thanks, Scott!

Class Notes

  • Thanks for all who registered - it's going to be a great session!
- Grant Kessler, B1 Blues Crew