Harmonica

Solo – Harmonica on Harmonica charts a journey from the Middle Ages to our own time and showcases the harmonica in all its versatility and variety. From jazz legends Chick Corea, Charlie Parker and Lester Young to Bach’s Goldberg Variations, and from the sinful tango of Mato Rodriguez’s famous La Cumparcita to the sacred monody of O Virgo splendens – the repertoire and the performances display striking juxtapositions. Luca Littera is an acclaimed chromatic harmonica virtuoso. He performs here on a selection of instruments, multi-tracking each part to create the unique sound of an ensemble of harmonicas.

Heitor Villa-Lobos was one of a number of eminent composers attracted to writing for the harmonica and his Concerto explores the instrument’s abilities perfectly. The first movement is highly melodic while the harmonica’s singing qualities are to be found in the plaintively haunting lyricism of the slow movement. The finale embodies festive romance and great virtuosity, capping one of the most exciting works in the repertoire. The sequence of arrangements and orchestrations of some of Villa-Lobos’s most beautiful, moving and famous melodies includes the masterpiece Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5.

You don't have to be a bluesman to be known for your harmonica playing - Stevie Wonder has taken his share of memorable harmonica solos, and the distinctive Toots Thielemans (who is arguably the Stan Getz of the harmonica) has demonstrated that a harmonica player can handle the most sophisticated of jazz. That said, no musical idiom has given listeners more first-class harmonica players than the blues. From the Mississippi Delta and the bayous of Louisiana to Chicago's South Side, the harmonica has long been the blues' most famous wind instrument. Spanning 1950-1999, This Is the Blues Harmonica gives listeners an appealing taste of some of the harmonica soloists (many of them singers) to whom Delmark has had access over the years. At its best, this compilation is excellent - and at its worst, it is at least decent…

Wizard Of The Harmonica album for sale by Sonny Terry was released Feb 23, 1999 on the Storyville label.Recorded in Copenhagen,Denmark in 1971.Wizard Of The Harmonica buy CD music Personnel:Sonny Terry (vocals, harmonica) Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee (vocals, harmonica) Leif Johansen (washboard).Wizard Of The Harmonica songs Liner Note Author: Ron Brown. Wizard Of The Harmonica album for sale Recording information: Copenhagen, Denmark (11/13/1971-11/14/1991).Arranger: Sonny Terry. Personnel includes: Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee.–by cdUniverse