Skip to main content

Shop

Classic Harmonica Blues from Smithsonian Folkways

Various Artists
Classic Harmonica Blues from Smithsonian Folkways
View Cart
Buy CD $11.98
Buy CD $11.98
View Cart
Download $9.99
Download $9.99

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. Click here to learn more about this enjoyable introduction to the diverse repertoire of American music.

FREE DOWNLOAD
Please enjoy a free download of "Low Down Blues" by Neal Pattman.

Low Down BluesMP3 FLAC

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Theme Song Doctor Ross 2:54
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Heart In Sorrow Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee 2:58
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Take Your Fingers Off It Will Shade, Charlie Burse, and Gus Cannon 2:52
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Nine Below Zero Eddie Burns 3:33
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Bye Bye Bird Charlie Sayles 3:09
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Gillum Blues Jazz Gillum 2:13
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
Crow Jane Blues Sonny Terry 1:58
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
Dog Days of August John Cephas and Phil Wiggins 4:09
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
Minglewood Blues John Sebastian and the J Band (with Annie Raines) 3:41
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Good Morning Little School Girl Doctor Ross 3:36
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
Sweet Home Chicago Phil Wiggins and the Robert Johnson Tribute Band 4:15
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
112
One Way Out Eddie Burns 2:25
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
113
Boogie Baby Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee 2:30
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
114
Low Down Blues Neal Pattman 4:08
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
115
Hooka Tooka Chambers Brothers 2:25
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
116
Train Piece Charlie Sayles 5:07
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
117
Chicago Breakdown Doctor Ross 3:40
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
118
I Feel So Good Warner Williams and Jay Summerour 2:00
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
119
Barbara Allen Blues Roscoe Holcomb 1:26
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
120
Custard Pie Sonny Terry and unknown washboard band 2:48

Album Info

Catalog Number

SFW40204

Year(s) Released

2013

Recording Date(s)

1952-2008

Label/Collection

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Series

Classic Series

Genre(s)

African American Music; Blues

Country(s)

United States

Instrument(s)

Bass; Bones; Drums; Frying pan; Guitar; Harmonica; Jug; Mandolin; Percussion; Piano; Tenor guitar; Vocals; Washboard; Washtub bass

Language(s)

English

Credit(s)

Barry Lee Pearson - Co-Producer, Liner Notes
 Pete Reiniger - Mastering Engineer, Audio Restoration
 Devin Bean - Audio Restoration
 Courtesy of Duncan Schiedt Collections - Photographer (Cover)
 Chris Bamberger - Editor
 Nora Simon - Designer
 Jeff Place - Co-Producer, Liner Notes
Download Liner Notes

Folkways Suggests