Recommended Blues Recording
Various Artists – Blues Harmonica Mastery
Various Artists – Down Home Harp – Testament TCD 6011
Pete Welding’s Testament Records label, in its 15-year history, released an amazing array of superb blues collections, as well as country, jazz, and gospel outings. Welding’s musical pedigree was solid, as he was an editor with Down Beat magazine, along with having been a contributing writer, while also having written for Rolling Stone magazine. Welding likewise was a noted music producer for labels including Bluesville, Prestige, Arhoolie, Elektra, and Milestone. He also was nominated along with his partner Lawrence Chen for their combined work on the liner notes for an exhaustive roots and blues music overview dating to 1992, plus for a live Leadbelly release they jointly produced in 1973. Welding’s broad research on blues and other musical forms remains highly-respected. He also worked in an A&R capacity for a number of labels.
Testament had roughly 30 releases during its run, and Down Home Harp is indicative of the quality collections the label was known for by music fans everywhere. The focuses of Welding’s Testament Records label were twofold: presenting unknown artists of high talent, and allowing artists of known high reputations to offer their music with backing bands who put their music in the best light possible.
On this 22-track compilation, all but one of the blues being offered were unavailable at the time of release in 1998. All of the selections were recorded between 1961-1967. The breadth of talent represented by this release is staggering, and runs the gamut from solo outings to full band efforts.
Below is the running order of the CD. The sheer extent of styles presented are stunning in that the capabilities of the humble harmonica in such a variety of settings goes to the heart of the adaptability of the instrument itself, and its popularity among blue artists whose approaches to the music vary so widely. From Elmon “Driftin’ Slim” Mickle’s solo format, to Dr. Ross’ and James “Bat” Robinson’s one-man band visions, to the more fully realized band incarnations of Billy Boy Arnold, as examples, to everything in between, with aggregations also including mandolin and violin, this extensive collection highlights how the harmonica can and does immeasurably adds depth to any blues design.
And memorably, this worthy compilation presents a wealth of top-tier blues names in supporting roles, including Johnny Young, Otis Spann, Little Walter, Jody Williams, and Mighty Joe Young, to cite only a few.
Sound quality is superb, all the compositions are engaging, and the level of musicianship is uniformly high across this collection.
Though not essential, this CD is a valuable piece worthy of being in any serious blues collection.
Highly-recommended!
“Blue Mood” Guitar – Johnny Young Harmonica – Big Walter Horton Piano – Jimmy Walker |
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“We All Got To Go” Piano – Blind John Davis Vocals, Harmonica – Billy Boy Arnold |
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“Billy Boy’s Jump” Bass – Jerome Arnold Drums – Clifton James Guitar – Jody Williams, Mighty Joe Young Harmonica – Billy Boy Arnold |
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“Borrow Love And Go” Vocals, Harmonica, Guitar – James “Bat” Robinson |
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“You Know I Love You” Guitar – John Lee Granderson Mandolin – Johnny Young Violin – Carl Martin |
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“Thinkin’ About Your Apples” Guitar – Big Joe Williams Vocals, Harmonica – Coot Venson Guitar – Big Joe Williams Vocals, Harmonica – Coot Venson | ||
“Sweet Woman Blues” Guitar – Arthur Weston, Big Joe Williams Vocals, Harmonica – George Robertson | ||
“Canadian Sunset” Drums – Robert Whitehead Guitar – Johnny Young (3) Harmonica – Harmonica Slim Willis Piano – Otis Spann | ||
“Last Night Blues” Guitar – Big Joe Williams Vocals, Harmonica – Andrew Cauthen |
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“Blue As I Can Be” Guitar – Big Joe Williams Vocals, Harmonica – Willie Lee Harris |
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“Medley: Fox Chase-Snake Hippin’-Careless Love” Vocals, Harmonica – John Lee Henley | ||
“Sweet Little Woman” Guitar – Johnny Young Harmonica – Little Walter Vocals, Guitar – Robert Nighthawk | ||
“Slow Train Through Arkansas” Vocals, Harmonica – Elmon “Driftin’ Slim” Mickle | ||
“T-Model And The Train” Vocals, Harmonica – Elmon “Driftin’ Slim” Mickle | ||
“Morning Rock” Guitar – Big Joe Williams Vocals, Harmonica – Coot Venson | ||
“Blues For Illinois” Vocals, Harmonica, Drums – Dr. Isaiah Ross | ||
“Mattie Mae” Piano – Blind John Davis Vocals, Harmonica – Billy Boy Arnold | ||
“Where The Southern Crosses The Dog” Guitar – Big Joe Williams Vocals, Harmonica – Coot Venson | ||
“Goin’ Down To The Station” Guitar – Big Joe Williams Vocals, Harmonica – Andrew Cauthen |
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“Walter’s Boogie” Guitar – Johnny Young Harmonica – Big Walter Horton Piano – Jimmy Walker |
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“John Henry” Vocals, Harmonica, Guitar – James “Bat” Robinson |
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Johnny Young With Little Walter– | “Baby, You Don’t Have To Go” Harmonica – Little Walter Piano – Jimmy Walker Vocals, Guitar – Johnny Young |