1) Big Walter Horton 2) Marion "Little Walter" Jacobs 3) Rice Miller AKA SBW2 4) James Cotton 5) Paul Butterfield 6) Junior Wells 7) Sonny Terry 8) Charlie Musselwhite 9) Magic Dick ( J. Geils Band ) 10) John Popper
I can get behind this list minus popper. Way to many other legends for him to make the list. He’s great, but sorta a one-trick pony that made his name with it.
1 Howard levy 2 Jason Ricci 3 Carlos del junco 4 Chris "Buddha" Michalek 5 Dennis gruenling 6 konstantin reinfeld 7 Paul delay 8 William clarke 9 Little walter 10 sonny boy williamson
1- Sonny Boy Williamson 2- Howard Levy 3- Jason Ricci 4- Carlos de Junco 5- Charlie Musselwhite 6- Roly Platt 7 - Mark Hummel 8 - Gary Primich 9 - William Clarke 10 - Greg Szlapczynski I really like your album Liam, I listen to "uprising" like all the time :D One of my favorite song ever !
My Top 10 personally inspirational harmonica players are (in no order) :- Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, Toots Thielemans, Stevie Wonder, Dan Aykroyd, Huey Lewis, Indiara Sfair, Eric Oblander and Amanda Ventura... Great video... 👍
I was pleasantly surprised when you listed surprised when you listed Paul deLay at number one. I've lived in Portland, Oregon (Paul's home town) since the early 70s and, from about 1974 until his untimely death in 2007. I'm sure I saw him perform over 100 times in venues ranging from tiny hole-in- the- wall taverns to large night clubs to the main stage at the Waterfront Blues Festival. He always delivered! The Paul deLay Band, along with other "regional" (at the time) blues acts such as Robert Cray, Curtis Salgado, Lloyd Jones etc., were the soundtrack of my young adulthood. I was a sound guy for a few years in the late 80s and early 90s and I mixed Paul deLay shows a few times. When I started watching your video I immediately noticed your T-shirt had "Bess and Ernie's Rib Joint" on it. That's one of my all-time favorite Paul deLay songs. The title would suggest it's a good time, party romp of a song but, as you know, it's actually a profoundly sad observation of a run-down life and urban decay. Many of deLay's songs are deep like that; he wrote some great lyrics. One of the coolest things about deLay's harmonica playing is his sense of swing and phrasing. Unlike many players, he often uses pauses between licks in his solos, which accentuate the rhythmic feel. Thanks for putting together your list. There are a couple players I'm unfamiliar with that I will check out.
Wow, thanks for sharing your story! Taste is obviously a very personal thing but to me, he was the the greatest. I wore the t-shirt as a little hint to any deLay fans, glad you noticed!
My first ever harmonica album purchase might have been the James Cotton, Junior Wells, Billy Branch, Carey Bell - Harp Attack. 1990. Still have the record in NM condition.
Juraj Schweiger, Konstantin Reinfeld, Filip Jers, Charly Musselwhite, James Cotton and of course as mentioned Jason Ricci💙💙💙Thanks for this very profound introduction of bluesharp heavyweights Liam!
1.Big Walter Horton 2.Big Mama Thornton 3.Sonny Boy Williamson 4.John Popper 5.Toots Thielemans 6.Carey Bell 7.Little Walter 8.Doctor Ross 9.Junior Wells 10.Sonny Terry
1. Little Walter 2. Rice Miller 3. William Clarke 4. George Harmonica Smith 5. Nat Riddles 6. Big Walter Horton 7. Blind Owl 8. Jason Ricci 9. Slim Harpo 10. Junoir Wells My top 10 would probably vary on day to day basis as there is just too many to choose from. Not too many modern players in there, but im sure that will change over time.
Wow ! Lots of awesome and influential players on people's lists . Little Walter Jacob's, Big Walter ' Shakey' Horton, John Lee Williamson ' Sonny Boy 1', Alex or Aleck Miller ' Sonny Boy 2', William Clarke, Big John Wrencher, ' One Arm John '. Yes, he had one arm, James Edward ' Snooky' Pryor , James Isaac Moore 'Slim Harpo', George ' Harmonica' Smith, 'Sonny Terry '.
My Top 10 1. Big Walter Horton 2. Little Walter Jacobs 3. Paul Butterfield 4. Charlie Musselwhite 5. James Cotton 6. Rice Miller 7. Charlie McCoy 8. Kim Wilson 9. William Clarke 10. George Smith Honorable Mentions: Junior Wells, Howlin Wolf, Curtis Salgado, Sonny Terry
Great video...i was listening to you count down, and i wondered, will Paul deLay make it? Wow...#1! He is the only one i have listened to live many times up close in his gigs around Portland. I got to know him enough to say hi and even went over to his place once for a lesson. His tone was huge, and yes, what a creative, funny guy. I still get chills when i listen to the cut Ocean of Tears. He died so suddenly, so many memories he leaves us.
I'm so jealous! You're lucky to have not just seen him play but had a lesson with the great man. Did you notice the deLay reference on my t-shirt? I thought it might be a spoiler...
I'll watch your video again and look for your tshirt. I recorded the lesson on a cassette tape, but lost it during one of my moves. Any chance you could break down one of his tunes and turn it into a lesson? I found a live version of Ocean of Tears on the Waterfront Blues FBook page...i am still awed at his huge tone and sound.
Who makes your list? Let me know in the comments... 😎 Thanks for watching! Start your 30 day FREE trial of my harmonica school today - www.learntheharmonica.com/members-zone-signup
Yeah Dylan's not great technically. It could be argued that his playing style suits the music, although there are certainly some of his solos that I just can't listen to!! The only other thing I'd say in his defence is that his music has got a lot of people started on harmonica (myself included) because he is such a massive star. Although perhaps it's a bad thing that there are so many harmonica players in the world... 🤣🤣🤣
Bob Dylans early albums were really good, and the harmonica playing was usually sensitive and mirrored the vocal melody Check out he was a friend of mine, this land is your land, Lonesome death of Hattie Carroll, mama you’ve been on my mind All these songs have great melody in the Harmonica, later on he turned to total shit, but his early stuff definitely is interesting and he knows his way around the harp better than most people will give him credit for
@@sepultura7771 You're right. In early recordings - some of it studio work for others, some from live performances - he does some of that rhythmic stuff in the low end (a la Sonny Terry, et al) that is beyond 'beginner', and indicates to me that he could have become an accomplished harp player if he had decided to go that route. He didn't. He probably decided that he didn't want to follow anyone or sound like anyone else, and so .... There are some nice phrases here and there, in his breaks, and some effects that work well in certain places ... if you're able to listen for them ... !
@@nerenahd yeah I love Little Walter, he was a genius. I suppose I just picked the guys that I keep listening to at the moment. Maybe Walter will make it back into the list in the future :)
You missed Jimmy Reed and the Harmonicats....if you’d lived when I did cuz I’m 74 and been all over Dallas and had all this experience...and variety of first rate blues stars....but I gotta say...you nailed it on Sonny Boy....he was the Best!
Check out Subranill Sarkar a young boy who is a great chromatic harmonica player. He can play Indian classical ragas which are very difficult to play. He has taken the chromatic harmonica to a higher level hitherto unknown.
Hi Liam Ward, My name is Denim. I am 12 years old, and I LOVE playing your Complete Beginner Course songs that you put on your TH-cam channel, and I was wondering if you can make a song on the Complete Beginner Course that is called "Rainbow Connection"? I would love it if you would be able to! I would then learn it and then play to my family and friends !!!!! (By the way, The only harmonica that I have is a C Diatonic Harmonica) Thanks, Denim😎
Toots Thielman all day. Although not my favorite genre Buddy Greene. I do love a lot of your top ten. Chicago blues Kim but he’s standing on the shoulders of giants. Butterfield is a must inclusion.
Garth Brooks harmonica player when he did ain't no time for the sun goes down or or something like that that harmonica player at the end there he just breaks out of he bust out and move it two .... Cuz that's the way that harmonica player Rolls fue !!!!😂😂❤❤
This is such a difficult list to make. Of the current ones Howard Levy and Filip Jers stand out for me. I also think people forget how good Mick Jagger is, probably because he's less known for it.
Hey bro.I am from Assam (India ). here's a singer names 'Zubeen Garg' and he is our heartthrob we love him more than we love ourselves .his one song called "rumal rumal " is one of most beautiful song and this song has a harmonica part can you teach me that one . please please .I really want it .🥺🥺🥺 please.(sorry for my lack of English speaking knowledge)
@@Ballskinicus . can you teach me that.I know you didn't understand that.this song meanings is like -my love story of 21 century,I found all the memories of my belove in the fold of handkerchief that she gifted.a red handkerchief.(i cant translate all the lines but really it's beautiful and unique.☺️)
Liam, since we're onto top 10 players here. Maybe resurrecting your interview with Joe Filisko ( who is a top 10 player himself), on pre-war players is something to rewatch. th-cam.com/video/ZGXbUDuEexo/w-d-xo.html Another more modern era player worthy of top 10 is 'harmonica ' Phil Wiggins of John Cephas and Phil Wiggins. But I suppose all harmonica players in some way stand on the foundational shoulders of pre-war players such as, Palmer McAbee; Gwen Foster; Henry Thomas, Johnny Watson (aka Daddy Stovepipe). Just to name a few beside DeFord, and others mentioned in your video interview. To think that these players plus others go back to 1927, 28 ( almost a hundred years ago), and the techniques such as animal sounds, trills, tongue techniques, throat gargling etc, that most would be hard pressed to do in our era of time, must have really been something to hear when the harmonica was in its infancy in my humble opinion. The harp music they created places many of the pre-war players in the top 10. It's ironic that learning how to play the harmonica that the music can set us on a course of music history, blues, country blues, pre-war etc. however, we want to name it, And the more we delve into these early players the more we can learn about our own playing, and trying to learn some of their styles and techniques help us almost a hundred years later on our learning curve. After all, most of the players we've mentioned in all of our top 10 lists were influenced by many if not all of the earlier/ pre-war players to some extent.
I disagree with your picks; most of them I have never heard of. I have been a fan of and played blues harmonica for the past 50 years. My favorite blues harmonica player is Paul Butterfield, founder, harmonica player, and lead singer of the Paul Butterfield Blues band. You neglected to include the following famous, old blues harmonica players: Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson I, Little Walter, and James Cotton. You could also do another series on famous rock harmonica players, such as: Paul Butterfield Jack Bruce, Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Magic Dick, John Popper, etc.
Yep it's all about personal taste. Virtuosity is not important in my enjoyment of music - sometimes it helps, sometimes it hinders. As someone once said, it's about suitability rather than ability. Who are your favourites?
@@Learntheharmonica would the handbook be good for someone that's only been playing 9 months? Also Steve would be my number 2 after Jason Ricci, but I haven't listened to most of your list so I'm not hating at all for you excluding him lol.
Stevie wonder man 😂I cried again cause #8 maybe I was in California for 2 long his music period but just off the music he was playing but he touched hearts. My recommendation the music cause Stevie wonder is a 1 man band. The world is too cold already number 8. My favor (never give u up with Tony from Oakland) I understand that this is str8 harmonica but in America I Always felt like not even 5 is this out of the world. Remember Michael Jackson. Sorry I'm just mad At the rating y Mr wonder so low gmfu
Terry McMillan !!!! If you heard him you would probably convulse or faint or both and well you'd probably buckle at the knees faint then convulse 😢😢 you feeling me dog ???😅😅❤❤😂
Liam missed Alan Wilson Jason richie said one of the best harp players he heard infact done a vidio of him whith Johnny Lee hooker but had to do another because he never done him justice if lived longer sure he be up there thanks for a great info and discussion liam
When I get to heaven there are going to be so many great harp players there: Noah Lewis, Walter Jacobs, Big Mama Thornton .... but I know I'm just going to sit down at Shakey Horton's feet and listen to no-one else for the whole of eternity.
im the greatest ever!!!!!!!lol i do play totally diffrent from blues guys i use the holder and play guitar not like dylan but richly and melodically!!!and often i make 500 dollars a day i sing and the harmonicsa lets me sing all day and do instrumentls!!!i use it to play horn parts say hungry heart or bozz scaggs song like geogia lol or of course piano man
All American BS !... The supper best is: Biden Powers ... huh? ... there will never be another like him ... Want to bet? Eli: "King of Rock & Roll Harmonica:'
LOL that geezer with the nail varnish T- blocker that is ridiculous. He chunks away old school nothing happening at all all been done. There are another 7 of those shouldn't be on any list.. There are two chromatic players Adler and Thiemann's clearly you need some serious listening. As for diatonic there are at least 3 in the Baltic States and two State side that are monsters of the diatonic.
Thank you soooo much, honored to be up here with these greats! Sooo cool to see Wade; Dennis n Grant in there. Super fun vid,
You're welcome Jason, keep up the great work! 😎
1) Big Walter Horton
2) Marion "Little Walter" Jacobs
3) Rice Miller AKA SBW2
4) James Cotton
5) Paul Butterfield
6) Junior Wells
7) Sonny Terry
8) Charlie Musselwhite
9) Magic Dick ( J. Geils Band )
10) John Popper
I can get behind this list minus popper. Way to many other legends for him to make the list. He’s great, but sorta a one-trick pony that made his name with it.
1 Howard levy
2 Jason Ricci
3 Carlos del junco
4 Chris "Buddha" Michalek
5 Dennis gruenling
6 konstantin reinfeld
7 Paul delay
8 William clarke
9 Little walter
10 sonny boy williamson
Great list! 😎
1- Sonny Boy Williamson
2- Howard Levy
3- Jason Ricci
4- Carlos de Junco
5- Charlie Musselwhite
6- Roly Platt
7 - Mark Hummel
8 - Gary Primich
9 - William Clarke
10 - Greg Szlapczynski
I really like your album Liam, I listen to "uprising" like all the time :D One of my favorite song ever !
Thanks so much :) Great list by the way!
My Top 10 personally inspirational harmonica players are (in no order) :-
Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, Toots Thielemans, Stevie Wonder, Dan Aykroyd, Huey Lewis, Indiara Sfair, Eric Oblander and Amanda Ventura...
Great video... 👍
Where is Toots Thielemans? Greets from Belgium.
William Clarke and John Popper
I was pleasantly surprised when you listed surprised when you listed Paul deLay at number one. I've lived in Portland, Oregon (Paul's home town) since the early 70s and, from about 1974 until his untimely death in 2007. I'm sure I saw him perform over 100 times in venues ranging from tiny hole-in- the- wall taverns to large night clubs to the main stage at the Waterfront Blues Festival. He always delivered! The Paul deLay Band, along with other "regional" (at the time) blues acts such as Robert Cray, Curtis Salgado, Lloyd Jones etc., were the soundtrack of my young adulthood. I was a sound guy for a few years in the late 80s and early 90s and I mixed Paul deLay shows a few times.
When I started watching your video I immediately noticed your T-shirt had "Bess and Ernie's Rib Joint" on it. That's one of my all-time favorite Paul deLay songs. The title would suggest it's a good time, party romp of a song but, as you know, it's actually a profoundly sad observation of a run-down life and urban decay. Many of deLay's songs are deep like that; he wrote some great lyrics. One of the coolest things about deLay's harmonica playing is his sense of swing and phrasing. Unlike many players, he often uses pauses between licks in his solos, which accentuate the rhythmic feel.
Thanks for putting together your list. There are a couple players I'm unfamiliar with that I will check out.
Wow, thanks for sharing your story! Taste is obviously a very personal thing but to me, he was the the greatest. I wore the t-shirt as a little hint to any deLay fans, glad you noticed!
😂 Liam that t-shirt was a deep cut 😁. Thx for being so much fun 😎🙌🏻
My first ever harmonica album purchase might have been the James Cotton, Junior Wells, Billy Branch, Carey Bell - Harp Attack. 1990. Still have the record in NM condition.
What an awesome collection of players that is!
Juraj Schweiger, Konstantin Reinfeld, Filip Jers, Charly Musselwhite, James Cotton and of course as mentioned Jason Ricci💙💙💙Thanks for this very profound introduction of bluesharp heavyweights Liam!
My personal list: Little Walter, Charlie Musselwhite, Greg Zlap, Kim Wilson, Ronnie Shellist, Todd Parrott, Indiara Sfair.
Don't forget Levy, Toots Thelaman, et.al.
@@MrSpanky2001of course, I didn't but their style is not my favourite. I am more blues guy 😉
Sonny Boy Williamson, Howard Levy, Jason Ricci, Brendan Power, Stevie Wonder, Adam Gussow, Buddy Greene, Rachelle PLAS, Beata Kossowska, Indiara Sfair.
1.Big Walter Horton
2.Big Mama Thornton
3.Sonny Boy Williamson
4.John Popper
5.Toots Thielemans
6.Carey Bell
7.Little Walter
8.Doctor Ross
9.Junior Wells
10.Sonny Terry
1. Little Walter
2. Rice Miller
3. William Clarke
4. George Harmonica Smith
5. Nat Riddles
6. Big Walter Horton
7. Blind Owl
8. Jason Ricci
9. Slim Harpo
10. Junoir Wells
My top 10 would probably vary on day to day basis as there is just too many to choose from. Not too many modern players in there, but im sure that will change over time.
Yes I'm with you on that Jonny, the list changes from day to day! Great choices on your list though 😎
Wow ! Lots of awesome and influential players on people's lists .
Little Walter Jacob's,
Big Walter ' Shakey' Horton,
John Lee Williamson ' Sonny Boy 1',
Alex or Aleck Miller ' Sonny Boy 2',
William Clarke,
Big John Wrencher, ' One Arm John '.
Yes, he had one arm,
James Edward ' Snooky' Pryor ,
James Isaac Moore 'Slim Harpo',
George ' Harmonica' Smith,
'Sonny Terry '.
Wow, I'll have to check out One Arm John! 😎
Sony Terry all the way!
So awesome, and extremely distinctive too!
My Top 10
1. Big Walter Horton
2. Little Walter Jacobs
3. Paul Butterfield
4. Charlie Musselwhite
5. James Cotton
6. Rice Miller
7. Charlie McCoy
8. Kim Wilson
9. William Clarke
10. George Smith
Honorable Mentions: Junior Wells, Howlin Wolf, Curtis Salgado, Sonny Terry
Some great names in there!
Very informative ,thanks really enjoyed this upload !!
Thanks Paul 😎
DeFord Bailey - what is the brand of harmonica he played? Outstanding sound
My guess is he was playing Marine Bands?
Great video...i was listening to you count down, and i wondered, will Paul deLay make it? Wow...#1! He is the only one i have listened to live many times up close in his gigs around Portland. I got to know him enough to say hi and even went over to his place once for a lesson. His tone was huge, and yes, what a creative, funny guy. I still get chills when i listen to the cut Ocean of Tears. He died so suddenly, so many memories he leaves us.
I'm so jealous! You're lucky to have not just seen him play but had a lesson with the great man. Did you notice the deLay reference on my t-shirt? I thought it might be a spoiler...
I'll watch your video again and look for your tshirt.
I recorded the lesson on a cassette tape, but lost it during one of my moves.
Any chance you could break down one of his tunes and turn it into a lesson?
I found a live version of Ocean of Tears on the Waterfront Blues FBook page...i am still awed at his huge tone and sound.
@@1957mhoffman Yes, great idea!
Who makes your list? Let me know in the comments... 😎
Thanks for watching! Start your 30 day FREE trial of my harmonica school today - www.learntheharmonica.com/members-zone-signup
Hey dude can you please do "that's what friends are for" by Dionne Warwick
Not sure who my top 10 would be, but Noah Lewis would be up there.
Nice!
What do you think about Bob Dylan in terms of his harmonica playing?
He doesn't know one end from the other....hey, you asked.
Yeah Dylan's not great technically. It could be argued that his playing style suits the music, although there are certainly some of his solos that I just can't listen to!! The only other thing I'd say in his defence is that his music has got a lot of people started on harmonica (myself included) because he is such a massive star. Although perhaps it's a bad thing that there are so many harmonica players in the world... 🤣🤣🤣
Bob Dylans early albums were really good, and the harmonica playing was usually sensitive and mirrored the vocal melody
Check out he was a friend of mine, this land is your land, Lonesome death of Hattie Carroll, mama you’ve been on my mind
All these songs have great melody in the Harmonica, later on he turned to total shit, but his early stuff definitely is interesting and he knows his way around the harp better than most people will give him credit for
@@sepultura7771 You're right. In early recordings - some of it studio work for others, some from live performances - he does some of that rhythmic stuff in the low end (a la Sonny Terry, et al) that is beyond 'beginner', and indicates to me that he could have become an accomplished harp player if he had decided to go that route. He didn't. He probably decided that he didn't want to follow anyone or sound like anyone else, and so .... There are some nice phrases here and there, in his breaks, and some effects that work well in certain places ... if you're able to listen for them ... !
I also put Jason Ricci there. Definitely. He is one of a kind. No Little Water was a big surprise.
Jason is my favorite player, he is surely one of the best
@@luisbogad23 My favorite too, Jason is out of this world.
@@nerenahd yeah I love Little Walter, he was a genius. I suppose I just picked the guys that I keep listening to at the moment. Maybe Walter will make it back into the list in the future :)
As a 40-year-Pro World Class guitarist ...bassist,. I😅😅❤❤ agree the number one is the best in the world EVER PERIOD !!!!
Has anyone mentioned Corky Siegal?
Love Corky's playing 😎
Tons of people I need to check out
Interesting choices. Thanks
No worries Ian. Who are your own favourite harp players?
@@Learntheharmonica I'd say Junior Wells and Charlie Musselwhite.
Modern players Ricci, Levy, Gussow, Gruenling, Clarke, Harman, Musselwhite, deLay, Piazza, Smith
All awesome!
I thought Buddy Green would be in there.. still, your analysis is sound on the review.
I will add Sugar Blue, Will Wilde, Adam Gussow, Howard Levy.
Adam Gussow? C'mon man.
@@MrSpanky2001 wheres your harmonica rendition ? do you play?
You missed Jimmy Reed and the Harmonicats....if you’d lived when I did cuz I’m 74 and been all over Dallas and had all this experience...and variety of first rate blues stars....but I gotta say...you nailed it on Sonny Boy....he was the Best!
Check out Subranill Sarkar a young boy who is a great chromatic harmonica player. He can play Indian classical ragas which are very difficult to play. He has taken the chromatic harmonica to a higher level hitherto unknown.
Wow Paul delay my total favorite. But howard Levy should have been there somewhere
I would put Butterfield & Musselwhite 😀
Just like you, it's my personal choice too
Harmonica player with the Band WAR
How about Todd Parrott and Buddy Green. Both are country blues gospel.
Both great players! 😀
Awesome!
In my subjective opinion, in the first place is Howard Levy, far after all whom you mentioned, and others who commented on your film.
Howard's so talented. Got the chance to interview him and he's such a nice guy too. Scary amount of talent!
3 of today's really good harmonica players a lot of people have not heard of are Buddy Green, William Gasow and Will Wild, check them out on u tube.
Hi Liam Ward, My name is Denim. I am 12 years old, and I LOVE playing your Complete Beginner Course songs that you put on your TH-cam channel, and I was wondering if you can make a song on the Complete Beginner Course that is called "Rainbow Connection"? I would love it if you would be able to! I would then learn it and then play to my family and friends !!!!! (By the way, The only harmonica that I have is a C Diatonic Harmonica) Thanks, Denim😎
Toots Thielman all day. Although not my favorite genre Buddy Greene. I do love a lot of your top ten. Chicago blues Kim but he’s standing on the shoulders of giants. Butterfield is a must inclusion.
Garth Brooks harmonica player when he did ain't no time for the sun goes down or or something like that that harmonica player at the end there he just breaks out of he bust out and move it two .... Cuz that's the way that harmonica player Rolls fue !!!!😂😂❤❤
John "juke" Logan
This is such a difficult list to make. Of the current ones Howard Levy and Filip Jers stand out for me. I also think people forget how good Mick Jagger is, probably because he's less known for it.
Jagger has no biz on any harp great list. With all due respect.
Hey Liam can you please do "that's what friends are for" by Dionne Warwick
Hey bro.I am from Assam (India ). here's a singer names 'Zubeen Garg' and he is our heartthrob we love him more than we love ourselves .his one song called "rumal rumal " is one of most beautiful song and this song has a harmonica part can you teach me that one . please please .I really want it .🥺🥺🥺 please.(sorry for my lack of English speaking knowledge)
Your English came across fine. I second this. Might be fun
just listened to it, only harmonica was at the very beginning.
@@Ballskinicus . can you teach me that.I know you didn't understand that.this song meanings is like -my love story of 21 century,I found all the memories of my belove in the fold of handkerchief that she gifted.a red handkerchief.(i cant translate all the lines but really it's beautiful and unique.☺️)
As most of Zubeen Garg's song are in Assamese so other people don't understand but his lyrics and dedication deserve much more.
@@Ballskinicus ☺️☺️
Dr. Ross the Kalamazoo Rhythm Machine
Maybe not so popular outside of Nashville, but the g.o.a.t. there is Charlie McCoy.
Yeah Charlie's a genuine legend. I interviewed him in a backroom in London, what a gent he is!
I have a number of Charlie Musselwhite records
Liam, since we're onto top 10 players here. Maybe resurrecting your interview with Joe Filisko ( who is a top 10 player himself), on pre-war players is something to rewatch.
th-cam.com/video/ZGXbUDuEexo/w-d-xo.html
Another more modern era player worthy of top 10 is 'harmonica ' Phil Wiggins of John Cephas and Phil Wiggins.
But I suppose all harmonica players in some way stand on the foundational shoulders of pre-war players such as, Palmer McAbee; Gwen Foster; Henry Thomas, Johnny Watson (aka Daddy Stovepipe). Just to name a few beside DeFord, and others mentioned in your video interview.
To think that these players plus others go back to 1927, 28 ( almost a hundred years ago), and the techniques such as animal sounds, trills, tongue techniques, throat gargling etc, that most would be hard pressed to do in our era of time, must have really been something to hear when the harmonica was in its infancy in my humble opinion. The harp music they created places many of the pre-war players in the top 10.
It's ironic that learning how to play the harmonica that the music can set us on a course of music history, blues, country blues, pre-war etc. however, we want to name it, And the more we delve into these early players the more we can learn about our own playing, and trying to learn some of their styles and techniques help us almost a hundred years later on our learning curve.
After all, most of the players we've mentioned in all of our top 10 lists were influenced by many if not all of the earlier/ pre-war players to some extent.
Very well said!
Buddy Greene
Number one for me : Will Wilde ...
Little Walter is missing for me
Little Walter and Sonny Boy 1 of course.
Little Walter, James Cotton, Butter???????😢
I disagree with your picks; most of them I have never heard of. I have been a fan of and played blues harmonica for the past 50 years. My favorite blues harmonica player is Paul Butterfield, founder, harmonica player, and lead singer of the Paul Butterfield Blues band. You neglected to include the following famous, old blues harmonica players: Sonny Terry, Sonny Boy Williamson I, Little Walter, and James Cotton. You could also do another series on famous rock harmonica players, such as: Paul Butterfield Jack Bruce, Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Magic Dick, John Popper, etc.
There are thousands of talented harp players out there. These mentioned are/were just notable. Technically, hundreds could put them to shame.
Yep it's all about personal taste. Virtuosity is not important in my enjoyment of music - sometimes it helps, sometimes it hinders. As someone once said, it's about suitability rather than ability. Who are your favourites?
Lee oskar
Really creative player and lovely guy too :)
Blues traveler
Howard Levy.
Buddy Grace
No Steve Baker?
Yeah Steve is awesome, love his duo stuff with Chris Jones. And of course his Harp Handbook is essential :)
@@Learntheharmonica would the handbook be good for someone that's only been playing 9 months? Also Steve would be my number 2 after Jason Ricci, but I haven't listened to most of your list so I'm not hating at all for you excluding him lol.
Any list that doesn't have Larry Adler at or near the number one position is worthless.
Paul MC Carthy
The Seatbelts
John Popper! Easily the most creative and innovative!
You can laugh if you like, but I nominate Papa Lightfoot…
Stevie wonder man 😂I cried again cause #8 maybe I was in California for 2 long his music period but just off the music he was playing but he touched hearts. My recommendation the music cause Stevie wonder is a 1 man band. The world is too cold already number 8. My favor (never give u up with Tony from Oakland) I understand that this is str8 harmonica but in America I Always felt like not even 5 is this out of the world. Remember Michael Jackson. Sorry I'm just mad At the rating y Mr wonder so low gmfu
Where is Little Walter ?
He's awesome, and one of my favourites, just not in my current top 10 :)
No Mathias Heise? really?
Terry McMillan is the greatest harmonica player in the history of mankind. Ever !!!!!😂❤
Terry McMillan !!!! If you heard him you would probably convulse or faint or both and well you'd probably buckle at the knees faint then convulse 😢😢 you feeling me dog ???😅😅❤❤😂
Liam missed Alan Wilson Jason richie said one of the best harp players he heard infact done a vidio of him whith Johnny Lee hooker but had to do another because he never done him justice if lived longer sure he be up there thanks for a great info and discussion liam
Yep true Evan, Alan Wilson was awesome and he's often forgotten 😎
Little Walter Walter Horton James cotton junior wells
When I get to heaven there are going to be so many great harp players there: Noah Lewis, Walter Jacobs, Big Mama Thornton .... but I know I'm just going to sit down at Shakey Horton's feet and listen to no-one else for the whole of eternity.
Haha, enjoy it Chris!
Niel Young fue !!!
im the greatest ever!!!!!!!lol i do play totally diffrent from blues guys i use the holder and play guitar not like dylan but richly and melodically!!!and often i make 500 dollars a day i sing and the harmonicsa lets me sing all day and do instrumentls!!!i use it to play horn parts say hungry heart or bozz scaggs song like geogia lol or of course piano man
Blind Lemon Chittlan 🤔🤨😀
All American BS !... The supper best is: Biden Powers ... huh? ... there will never be another like him ... Want to bet? Eli: "King of Rock & Roll Harmonica:'
wil wilde ? not on list ...blasphemy lolz
Not much Buddy Greene can't play
I will put Howard Levy at #1 for all around knowledge and on overblows Tom.. sorry , buddy
LOL that geezer with the nail varnish T- blocker that is ridiculous. He chunks away old school nothing happening at all all been done. There are another 7 of those shouldn't be on any list.. There are two chromatic players Adler and Thiemann's clearly you need some serious listening. As for diatonic there are at least 3 in the Baltic States and two State side that are monsters of the diatonic.