Cool song. I like the version that Sonny Boy I does,t, but I prefer the version that Jerry and Rick are doing which is more like that of Jimmy Rogers/Little Walter (thanks for putting that up B-K). I also listened to a good version by Lucille Bogan.
Wow! As others have said, that is a great, powerful and soulful performance. Very moving. I really like how you use pauses and rhythym changes to create dramatic tension. Seems like so many people you hear (not just harp players) play way too many notes.
I have a question - are you saying that T-Bone Walker's version is in B minor, or just that you and Rick are doing it in that key? The reason I ask is that I have the song off the "Essential Collection" of T-Bone Walker, and I believe it is Ab major on that album. My ear isn't good enough to identify a song in a key like that but I have an Ipad app called Key My Songs that will give you a song's key. To check it out I played along on a Db harp in second position and it sounded right. Did T-Bone do it in B minor on another album? I do have a version by Albert Collins (from the album "Ice Pickin'") which seems to be in Eb minor, and a Db harp playing in third position sounds right.
Thanks Jerry. I really like this version - especially since it is the original. I think Jimmy Reed's version is somewhat different but also not the same as the others I've heard like Memphis Slim. I have played this song in 3rd position along with my friend Brian Lee's recording (not on the record) - he plays in D so I am using a G harp. I look forward to learning "Cold, Cold Feeling." I have a version that Albert Collins did.
Great lesson - you really explain what is going on very clearly. I usually just keep playing the song over and over until I can come close, and then go back to your lessons to learn what I am missing. On a related topic, I am interested in the song "Every Day I Have the Blues." Not only do I really like the song, but a friend who often asks me to sit in for a couple of songs at his gigs usually plays it. I now have a number of version of the song including Elmore James' from the album "Dust My Broom." If I am hearing it right (always questionable), it sounds like you could approach it (James") on harp pretty much like what you have taught us here (for "Dust My Broom"). The rhythym and general song pattern sound the same (to me). Does that make sense? One other question on this song - I also have a version that Jimmy Reed did which has somewhat different lyrics, but still is the same song. I read that the song was originally written and recorded by Pinetop Sparks and his brother with some differences from the versions we normally hear. Do you know if Jimmy Reed's version (off Anthology of the Blues) is like the original? I haven't been able to find Pinetop Spark's song anywhere so far. Thanks.
Very helpful breakdown. I especially liked your tips on how to learn. Thanks Jerry. By the way, I am getting out to jams every week now - in large part because of the confidence these lessons have given me. Thanks for that too.
I noticed that, too, I think it might come from the fact that I am recording on my laptop with the Snooks Eaglin version coming from my IPad. I will certainly try again after you go through the song and create the backing track.
Hi - here is my attempt at Mean Old World. In this case I am playing along with Snooks Eaglin's version which is in E. I'm playing my new Hohner Crossover (which I really like) in A.
Thanks for the information Jerry - I bought the I'm Ready album on Iturnes - lots of great tunes in addition to the version of Hootchie Cootchie Man. I also got the original version from the Chess collection. The version I was referring to is the one I dowloaded from Youtube form the European tour you were on. Is this in G? I think it sound right playing in G in 1st position or C in 2nd, but not A but maybe that's just my (not so great) ear. Thanks.
That was fun to listen to - your harp, of course, but Rick's guitar and singing, too.
A couple of questions - first on which album is the version with you and Big Walter? That must sound really cool and I'd like to find it. Second, I may be wrong, but it seems that the version that I have on the "Hootchie Man" album is played in first position on a C harp. Could that be right? I think you said that album was from a European tour when you were in the band, and shouldn't have been sold. Third, not that you don't have too many song suggestions already, but I would love to learn Big Walter's "Hard Hearted Woman" which is also a first position key of A song.
Happy Birthday Jerry.
Wow! One of the best benefits of this website is being able to listen to Jerry perform. Worth the price of admission. That was sweet!
Cool song. I like the version that Sonny Boy I does,t, but I prefer the version that Jerry and Rick are doing which is more like that of Jimmy Rogers/Little Walter (thanks for putting that up B-K). I also listened to a good version by Lucille Bogan.
Thanks Jerry, I'll keep working on it.
Here is my attempt to play along with Ricky.
Wow! As others have said, that is a great, powerful and soulful performance. Very moving. I really like how you use pauses and rhythym changes to create dramatic tension. Seems like so many people you hear (not just harp players) play way too many notes.
Hi Jerry,
I have a question - are you saying that T-Bone Walker's version is in B minor, or just that you and Rick are doing it in that key? The reason I ask is that I have the song off the "Essential Collection" of T-Bone Walker, and I believe it is Ab major on that album. My ear isn't good enough to identify a song in a key like that but I have an Ipad app called Key My Songs that will give you a song's key. To check it out I played along on a Db harp in second position and it sounded right. Did T-Bone do it in B minor on another album? I do have a version by Albert Collins (from the album "Ice Pickin'") which seems to be in Eb minor, and a Db harp playing in third position sounds right.
Whoops! What I meant was he plays in A so second is D and third is G.
Thanks Jerry. I really like this version - especially since it is the original. I think Jimmy Reed's version is somewhat different but also not the same as the others I've heard like Memphis Slim. I have played this song in 3rd position along with my friend Brian Lee's recording (not on the record) - he plays in D so I am using a G harp. I look forward to learning "Cold, Cold Feeling." I have a version that Albert Collins did.
Hi Jerry,
Great lesson - you really explain what is going on very clearly. I usually just keep playing the song over and over until I can come close, and then go back to your lessons to learn what I am missing. On a related topic, I am interested in the song "Every Day I Have the Blues." Not only do I really like the song, but a friend who often asks me to sit in for a couple of songs at his gigs usually plays it. I now have a number of version of the song including Elmore James' from the album "Dust My Broom." If I am hearing it right (always questionable), it sounds like you could approach it (James") on harp pretty much like what you have taught us here (for "Dust My Broom"). The rhythym and general song pattern sound the same (to me). Does that make sense? One other question on this song - I also have a version that Jimmy Reed did which has somewhat different lyrics, but still is the same song. I read that the song was originally written and recorded by Pinetop Sparks and his brother with some differences from the versions we normally hear. Do you know if Jimmy Reed's version (off Anthology of the Blues) is like the original? I haven't been able to find Pinetop Spark's song anywhere so far. Thanks.
Rich
Wow! Love this song and this is a great performance of it! You guys should make an album together (if you haven't already).
Very helpful breakdown. I especially liked your tips on how to learn. Thanks Jerry. By the way, I am getting out to jams every week now - in large part because of the confidence these lessons have given me. Thanks for that too.
Great breakdown Jerry. Best wishes on becoming a grandpa.
Hi Jerry,
I noticed that, too, I think it might come from the fact that I am recording on my laptop with the Snooks Eaglin version coming from my IPad. I will certainly try again after you go through the song and create the backing track.
Hi - here is my attempt at Mean Old World. In this case I am playing along with Snooks Eaglin's version which is in E. I'm playing my new Hohner Crossover (which I really like) in A.
Great song! I love playing it. Now maybe I'll learn to play it right. Thanks Jerry and Rick.
Thanks for the information Jerry - I bought the I'm Ready album on Iturnes - lots of great tunes in addition to the version of Hootchie Cootchie Man. I also got the original version from the Chess collection. The version I was referring to is the one I dowloaded from Youtube form the European tour you were on. Is this in G? I think it sound right playing in G in 1st position or C in 2nd, but not A but maybe that's just my (not so great) ear. Thanks.
Jerry,
That was fun to listen to - your harp, of course, but Rick's guitar and singing, too.
A couple of questions - first on which album is the version with you and Big Walter? That must sound really cool and I'd like to find it. Second, I may be wrong, but it seems that the version that I have on the "Hootchie Man" album is played in first position on a C harp. Could that be right? I think you said that album was from a European tour when you were in the band, and shouldn't have been sold. Third, not that you don't have too many song suggestions already, but I would love to learn Big Walter's "Hard Hearted Woman" which is also a first position key of A song.