Little Walter Revisited

A post I wrote in November of 2009 about the great Little Walter has had the most hits of any post on this blog. That surprises me somewhat, but it also pleases me. It is good to know that there are many people out there who have good taste when it comes to blue harmonica.

As I wrote before, Little Walter is one of the undisputed masters of the blues harmonica. Along with Sonny Boy Williamson, he was one of the first to play through an amplifier. This gave him a unique sound and allowed his contribution to the music to be heard over the guitars.

 Walter began his career as a sideman to many of the great Chicago blues artists. You can hear his harmonica on most of the records recorded by Muddy Waters in the 1950's. He also recorded with Bo Diddley, Otis Rush and many others.

Stepping out front with his own band, Walter recorded the classic harmonica instrumental Juke, which spent 8 weeks at number one on the R&B charts in 1952. It is the only harmonica instrumental to become a number one hit.

Here is a great video of Little Walter and Hound Dog Taylor. Hope you enjoy it.