Classic Harmonica Blues from Smithsonian Folkways

In the 1850s, clockmaker Matthias Hohner began making harmonicas in Germany. By the turn of the century, his market expanded to America where among countless others, African Americans claimed the instrument as their own. Classic Harmonica Blues from Smithsonian Folkways brims with the creativity of soulful harmonica greats of the 20th century, including Sonny Terry, Doctor Ross, Eddie Burns, Phil Wiggins, and more. Culled from the historic Folkways Records collection and live performances at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, these recordings take us to the heart of the classic American blues tradition. 66 minutes, 36-page booklet.This is the 21st release in the Smithsonian Folkways Classic Series.

Track Listing

101	Theme Song	Doctor Ross, The Harmonica Boss	02:54
102	Heart In Sorrow	Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee	02:58
103	Take Your Fingers Off It	Will Shade, Charlie Burse, and Gus Cannon	02:52
104	Nine Below Zero	Eddie Burns	03:33
105	Bye Bye Bird	Charlie Sayles	03:09
106	Gillum Blues	Jazz Gillum	02:13
107	Crow Jane Blues	Sonny Terry	01:58
108	Dog Days of August	John Cephas and Phil Wiggins	04:09
109	Minglewood Blues	John Sebastian and the J Band (with Annie Raines)	03:41
110	Good Morning Little School Girl	Doctor Ross, The Harmonica Boss	03:36
111	Sweet Home Chicago	Phil Wiggins and the Robert Johnson Tribute Band	04:15
112	One Way Out	Eddie Burns	02:25
113	Boogie Baby	Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee	02:30
114	Low Down Blues	Neal Pattman	04:08
115	Hooka Tooka	Chambers Brothers	02:25
116	Train Piece	Charlie Sayles	05:07
117	Chicago Breakdown	Doctor Ross, The Harmonica Boss	03:40
118	I Feel So Good	Warner Williams and Jay Summerour	02:00
119	Barbara Allen Blues	Roscoe Holcomb	01:26
120	Custard Pie	Sonny Terry and unknown washboard band	02:48